Sorry for you loss jeezy. Welcome to the team. Tell us a little bit about yourself when you get a chance. I downloaded groupme. Tried searching for our chat and it didn't work for me. If some one could help me out there that'd be awesome. Preseason update. Got one stand hung on Friday. Got a bad feeling we were way too intrusive. May have stomped around too much n trimmed a few too many limbs. Time will tell. Also haven't had a picture for 10 days so I'm thinking it's time to take the camera off the mineral site. Was going to hang a couple stands today but with temps in the mid 80s I decided to wait for some cooler temps. As long as I get them up before my elk trip. Ok that's all I got.
Thanks everyone! I read through the thread and it looks like we have a solid team. I am excited for the season. I have a passion for hunting and have been bowhunting for 5 years now. I hunt in north central Illinois really close to Short. Short, I know right where you are at. I primarily hunt in Morris right south of the river. I also hunt a little bit in Ottawa. Last season was a little disappointing to me as it seemed deer numbers and sightings were down especially mature bucks. I hear a lot about CWD sharpshooting by the DNR as a reason for this. However, the area has potential for producing some monster bucks and a large deer population in the past. I was able to harvest a mature doe last season, but I am really hoping to see some improvements this season in deer movement and mature bucks like I am used to seeing in seasons past.
I stopped by my favorite property yesterday and put up a camera. My son and I walked the north end of the property that has quite a bit of cattle and human traffic and saw almost no deer activity then went to the other end to put up the camera. Honestly I was disappointed with what I saw for activity period. I had high hopes that we might be on the up swing this year but based on what I saw I'm pretty discouraged. There are 2-3 other properties that hold potential but it hurts to see my former honey hole turn into a ghost town. This property gave us at least 1 P&Y a year for 8 years straight. It has been 2 years since I've seen a mature buck out there.
My buddy just sent me these pictures of a deer that has been showing up on his 40. He usually let's me hunt with him a few times a season so I guess there's always a chance I get lucky. I'd be happy with either of us getting an opportunity.
How old do you think? I was thinking only thinking 4.5 but I guess that is pretty old for the area. Here's a pic from earlier in the summer. And this one is from last year
Yea, you may be right. In the very first pic it sure looked like more of a sway back and saggy belly. He's a stud though, and would be a nice addition to our team score
no word yet. He hasn't been on the forum since 7/23. I will send one more PM and shortly after request a replacement
Looking forward to the season.just got pemission to hunt a 200 acres just down from where we hunt now. Has a swamp on the back end. The owner says there is lot of deer in the back of the property. No one has been hunting the property he said.A I'mthe only one that has permission to hunt in now. We need to hang some cam now and see what moving around. Getting excited about hunting 200+ acres
That's awesome Bobcat, congrats. 200 acres can keep you busy for a long time just learning how to hunt it
