Hey everyone! Johnny and I got back from IL yesterday and had one heck of a great 10 day hunt. We saw a ton of bucks and layed down some awesome footage. The weather was warm, but the bucks were still on their feet. Tons of close encounters with some great bucks, but they kept staying just out of range. Lots of 2.5 year old 8s spotted as well. On the last morning I was able to tag this nice 10. Not a giant, but a good looking deer. Should go around 125. It was awesome meeting JZ and Mike. Great guys, great hunters and very dedicated. We couldn't have leased a peice of ground with two better guys and we're looking forward to future hunts with the boys. Heading for Ontario in a few hours and then to Alberta on Friday. Good luck and be safe! I'll be back in a couple weeks!
Thanks guys! I should also mention that all of us saw and got footage of a buck we named Big Rob......betcha can't guess why! I'm outta here!
Dano - it was a pleasure meeting you and hopefully you don't hate Mike and I as much as most people do after spending a few days with us. We're only joking with you buddy! :D Thanks again for letting us crash with you in the Rockstar Trailer, and congrats to you and Greg Miller on the fine buck. We're looking forward to next year, and getting a crack at Stickers when he's a 160" stud! Here's a few more pictures from the trip...... Dan the Man and his partner Greg "Johnny" Miller with their 2008 IL buck. Check out the next Rut Junkie DVD to see this guy get schwizzacked. The raging river we had to cross every day to get into our lease. I was almost swept away a few times. Walking back to the truck after a cold morning hunt Looking to the South at the Ridge of Death. Partying like a rockstar in Dan's trailer. We had a few groupies with us but we left them out of the photos. Filming! The home, and future death place, of Stickers and Big Rob. Rub anyone? Mike enjoying a delicious ham sandwich after my disappointing choke-job on Dope Ear. Some Illinois November scenery for those of you who enjoy poetry and some fine green tea on a crisp autumn eve. And it's a Hooooey, man!
Hopefully next year we will all be down there the same time. I had a blast down the road from you guys even though I screwed up on two nice bucks. That river looks nasty, you guys need to get an ARGO!
Nah, the river wasn't bad to cross at all. We had an ankle-deep crossing that we walked over to get in and out of it. That photo was taken up stream. This is about as deep as it got where we crossed. And we were there on the 8th and 9th but by the time I remembered you were there I checked the Forum and saw you posting from home. We were gonna have to meet up with us for some delicious McDonalds lunch!
Did you guys get to Mount Sterling? They have an awesome little corndog trailer and we had an all you can eat pizza buffet one night for 6 bucks.
This looks like I need to move to this area. We (the wife) are looking to move closer to NC, but I want to stay in the midwest. I think from looking at all of these gorgeous deer in the land between MN, and NC, I might have to make a compromise. IL is right in between, isn't it? lol. Sound like fun...All you can eat pizza, a trailer, and mounting sterling. Who's Sterling?
