Illinois Hunting 
bingsbaits
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Illinois Hunting
Looking into an archery hunt in Illinois for big buck for next year. Any one been there done that ?? Any tips, tricks, do's or don'ts ?? Any good guides that aren't to costly ?? thanx...Bing
"There is a pleasure in Angling that no one knows but the Angler himself". WB
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A1H Skyraider
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RE: Illinois Hunting
2007/12/10 21:58:49
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some guys I work with go for gun season every year. they love it. the price is one of the more reasonable ones Ive heard of and I do believe they offer archery hunts. Ill see if I can get the info, but this guy is out until next week.
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." - Winston Churchill
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mossy oak
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RE: Illinois Hunting
2007/12/11 13:21:41
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Bings...
I've been there and done that. And if all goes as planned, I will go every year until I am no longer able. The size, quantity and quality of deer out there are so superior to PA. I saw 19 different bucks in 2 days last year and wound up at 26 for a 4 day hunt.
We hunt with a friend of my cousin's. He has a little over 6500 acres of woods and fields (soybean, corn, oats, alfalfa, clover). We drove out and stayed in a motel and guided ourselves. I know where to put the stands this time, lol. That was the only downfall of doing it yourself. We basically lost a day scouting and hanging stands.
Cost wise, all I can tell you is the archery permit is $384. And you have to apply in July and if you get drawn, It comes around the second week of September. You can buy does tags over the counter too.
Hope this helps...
MO
so save your breath I could not hear, I think I made it very clear...
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bingsbaits
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RE: Illinois Hunting
2007/12/11 20:00:56
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thank you thank you. Looked at some semi-guided hunts for around $1500. Thing I liked about the ones I looked into was they have a $1000 dollar penalty for shooting bucks that score under 140 on their leases..Should make for some bruisers...
May look into the Shawnee National Forest (south Ill.) for a self guided hunt. 273,00 acres surrounded by river and farm land..
"There is a pleasure in Angling that no one knows but the Angler himself". WB
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mossy oak
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RE: Illinois Hunting
2007/12/12 12:25:14
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Shawnee is a great option. I won't bore you with the details, but due to work and some other things that popped up, my cousin was out there before me. So I flew out and rode back with him.
Anyways, I was beside a guy on the flight into St.Louis that was heading there. He said that he and his brothers get together every year and hunt it. He said it was good.
I hunted Hamilton County. If they make bigger bucks than there in Pike County, then Pike must be the MECCA. I saw 7 different bucks over my hunt that made me tremble in the tree. Just bruisers. The rest were GOOD bucks for here, but not what you go to Illinois for. Whatever route you take, you wont regret it. It is worth it. Does the $1500 include your licensing? If so, it may be worth it. I believe by the time we got the license, transportation(fuel), ate, got a place to stay, etc. we wound up around $900 or a lil more.
Like I said though, all our homework is done now. That's the thing about doing it yourself. Next time we go we know almost exactly where we want to be and what trees we need to be in, barring drastic change.
Good Luck
MO
so save your breath I could not hear, I think I made it very clear...
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S-10
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RE: Illinois Hunting
2007/12/12 13:00:16
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One word of caution on the Shawnee, even though it is 250,000 acres it is not one continous block. There are many private holding within the forests and you need to be aware of them. There are some great bucks there and most of the bars and restraunts in the area have mounts you can only dream of here. Last time I was there they had no AR/HR and the locals shot a lot of scrubs just like here. Lots of small bucks on public land but enough great ones to keep the excitement high.
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A1H Skyraider
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RE: Illinois Hunting
2007/12/12 17:49:55
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S-10, did you just say that a state with out AR still can produce Monster Bucks, OMG, say it aint so....say it aint so...
AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH................as I scratch my eyes from my face.....
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." - Winston Churchill
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bingsbaits
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RE: Illinois Hunting
2007/12/12 18:02:24
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Illinois only sells 20,000 out of state archery tags. PA is unlimited. Might make a little difference in the number of big bucks.
"There is a pleasure in Angling that no one knows but the Angler himself". WB
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S-10
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RE: Illinois Hunting
2007/12/12 18:13:29
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That must be a fairly new regulation. The years I hunted there gun tags were by draw but archery tags were over the counter and if you filled one you could get another one good for both buck and doe. tags were $120 so I see that has changed too.
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bingsbaits
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RE: Illinois Hunting
2007/12/12 19:12:35
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2007 Non-Resident Archery Deer Application. Those who applied for the end of June lottery will receive their permits in late August.
You can purchase your permit via the internet. DNR Direct Online License Sales or by phone at 1-888-6PERMIT (1-888-673-7648)
Non-residents are allowed one combination archery permit per season. Antlerless only permits for $15.50 will be available throughout the season over the counter at local license agents, by phone or by internet. If ordering by phone or internet, your permit will be mailed to you.
The cost of a Non-Resident Archery Combination Deer permit (one either-sex/one antlerless) will be $366.00. The quota will be 20,000 for Non-Resident combination tags.
The cost of a Non-Resident Archery Antlerless Deer permit (available over the counter) will be $15.50 and there is no quota.
"There is a pleasure in Angling that no one knows but the Angler himself". WB
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