Im about to book a hunt in pike county IL. and would like opinions on best weeks to bow hunt this area? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I always talk to the outfitter and ask him the best time.. you can also check harvest data for the state or area you want to hunt. I am partial to early season the earlier the better deer are easier to pattern especially on a short 5 or 7 day out of state hunt, not really a big fan of hunting the rut the deer are predictable in their unpredictability..lol.. I know that goes against the norm....
From my past 2 years experience hunting Adams & McDonough county (next counties over) I've hunted the first week of November and have been a week early with the rut, for the real big boys to be moving anyways. I saw plenty of 120-130 class bucks and only a few glimpses of bigger bucks. Weather has ALOT to do with it as well. If a front comes through it can change everything for the better. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The best outfitters may have their deer located and know their movements with a pretty good degree of certainty and can put you where and when you want. Good luck!
It's going to mainly depend on the weather and if you can get a good cold front to trigger movement. As a general rule of thumb, I would choose the 2nd week.
if you are planning a hunt a year out it's a crap shoot as far as weather... like I said before talk to the outfitter maybe call several feel them out and harvest data is available online do your research.....
Like most have already said, first to middle part of November. That's where I live and past two or three years after about the first couple days of November through the first shotgun season has been the time to chase the big boys. Find out where you want to go and ask them, they'll know they're ground more than anyone.
