Ok, last year was my first attempt at deer hunting, I used a bow and was only able to get out in the woods 4 times last season due to my wife being pregnant and just some other things that where going on. I have held on to a week of my vacation time for hunting this year and I expect to get in the woods right away here in Illinois as soon as the season starts on October 1st. One of my questions is, how do you get over the anxiousness of being out in the woods, in the dark, with nothing but a bow to protect yourself? I know this may sound stupid, Im a decent sized guy and can handle myself fine against another human, but I couldn't help but think what if 2 or 3 coyotes jump me right now, or what if I run into a bear or cat of some type? Since Illinois is one of the only states left to not have conceal and carry, I cannot legally bring any type of firearm out with me into the woods, Im not sure I even could since I was archery hunting anyway? I thought well, maybe I could carry the biggest knife thats legal in Illinois but really, that might not be enough. Just wondering if I am just being paranoid or how other people handle that feeling of not being able to defend yourself in certain situations in the woods?
As long as i have a flashlight with me i feel perfectly fine. NY is also a state that does not allow concealed carry. Its also a little bit of a rush for me so I don't mind it at all. To be perfectly honest if i really was scared and i was dead set on going that early I would totally bring a gun with me.
Well I'm a cop so I have the benefit of having my sidearm with me at all times plus, off duty ammo means no reports need to be filed if I get in a sticky situation. But my father doesn't have the same privilege so he carry's the bear mace every time he goes. It's a nice thing to have and calms your nerves a bit. He also carries a machete, but the time it takes you to get it out may be a problem. But to be honest, most animals you come across will be more scared of you than anything. Best bet is just head out to the woods and try not to worry. In the dark, everything gets your blood rushing a bit but mind over matter always works.
No bears in Illinois that i know of. So that gets rid of one fear. Know ur path well and take ur time getting to ur stand. Stop every hundred yards our so and just listen. I don't use a light at all unless i hear something then i use a green light just so i can see them. It is very unlikely that any animal in Illinois will ever attack you while walking in the woods. Or you can just get in a cc ouple hours early making a much noise as possible lol Sent from my LG-E739 using Tapatalk 2
Very well put. Bear Mace will do you fine. A machete is a good investment too. Make sure you know your path to and from your stand. Normally animals get protective when they have their young with them. Trust me, if I ever run across a bear cub, I am turning around and going the other way. I know Mama is not too far away. I won't take that chance and I carry a .45cal with me at all times. Just stay alert and you will be fine.
I never use a light either....only time I've ever been a lil skiddish was during turkey season this year. Got into a staring contest w a skunk at less than 5 feet in the cow pasture. That's about the only animal in Illinois I would worry about! LOL. Good luck man. Just take your time. Go extra early if you want a light and don't worry too much. You'll be good!! Although, I do recommend using one if there are other hunters in the area! They can be worse than bears!! Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
Carry bear spray if you wish, but the only thing in the woods to worry about would be other people. This is coming from a guy who's wife was on a walk and was 30 yds from a wolf yesterday. Her only concern was for my dads golden she was walking.
Like the others have stated you will be fine walking in and out. I do not use a flashlight unless I am hunting a unfamiliar property. I have pulled into a field and saw coyotes in the dark go into the same woods I was headed and never had a problem. Those animals are way more afraid of humans than you are of them. Good luck this season, hope you shoot a giant.
Only thing I worry about are dogs people have dropped off. We have a couple running around and one in particular that is very aggressive that I don't want to run into in the dark with just my bow. Just always carry a flashlight, know your way and always be aware of your surroundings. Also helps to not let your girlfriend talk you into watching scary movies the night before Halloween when you plan on walking into the woods at 5 in the morning. Your imagination will get you more than anything in the woods will.
thanks everyone Thanks for all the replies, it was probably due to it being my first time ever hunting, it was not like I was terrified, but there where a couple of times I was walking in in the morning and I know I must have gotten close enough to something because I could hear the rustle in the woods and hear it running away. I know you are all correct that 99.9% of the time they are probably more afraid of me and just want to run away. I am totally looking forward to Oct. 1 this year, I am really hoping this is the year I kill my first deer. I just switched from shooting left handed to right handed because of an eye dominance issue and a previous eye surgery and bought a knew bow at Bass Pro shop yesterday, a PSE Stinger. I am going to put several arrows through it between now and Oct. 1 and I will be ready to go. Good luck everyone and thanks!
please do yourself and the deer a favor a shoot alot before october everything is gonna be new to you now. like I said earlier ther are no bears that I am aware of in illinois I hear critters running around all the way to my stands and it is usually all coons. do not scare yourself by over thinking it just listen to what the woods are saying to you. predators that can take you will be spotted by other animals first and they will alert eachother and you will know too
I definitely will, I do have to say the guy working at Bass Pro was a competitive shooter and he worked with me for about 45 minutes in the store and I was shooting surprisingly well right handed because I was able to use my dominant eye finally to shoot. From 10 yards I was dead on in the bullseye and from 20 yards I was on target with a decent pattern. I do have to build up the muscles though, my left shoulder was burning because I was not use to holding the bow in that hand. I will definitely practice a ton so when I finally get that shot I hit the deer where Im suppose to.
I think the majority of animals you'll be encountering in the woods are more afraid of you than you are of them. The only time I see this being an issue would be with a mama bear and her cubs, but to my knowlegde illinois is lacking in the bear department. I also used to get a little spooked of the dark walking to my sets, so i started using a green light to guide my way and this adds some sense of security.
If you get nervous, just make some human noises... Did have the hair on the back of my neck stand up once - though wasn't really worried - was walking back to my vehicle in the dark after hunting and I had two coyotes howl VERY close - under 100 yards I'm sure - one in front of me and one behind be... I just made some coughing sounds and I never heard them again - pretty sure they just moved on once they heard my human sounds OR smelt me... As you mentioned, you could always strap a decent knife around your belt too - just to make you feel better if its something your concerned with...
A couple times a year i usually hear rabbit or other smaller mammal getting attacked by a cotote or owl or something of that sort while sitting in the dark. Definitely gets you on edge. In most places you will hunt you're going to be the dominat predator and most animals will be very skittish. Your more likely to fall out of your tree thand being attacked by anything in Illinois. Be safe and good luck.
Va has ccw permits, never had to draw my weapon and hope to never have to but its nice to know its there if needed.
If you're saving a week of vacation for hunting season, you might want to consider taking it around the second weekend of November. I took Wednesday thru Tuesday last year and was covered up with bucks. Taking the same time period this year. Just a thought you may want to consider. Best of luck this coming season
