I'm going on my first trip to Southern Illinois with a friend this week from November 25th thru December 5th does anyone know what stage the deer are in and the best method of hunting them we're hunting his families farm which hasn't been hunted the last couple years Thanks
Not sure how south you are, but south of I70 in Madison, and bond county they just started chasing this weekend. Still a ton of does with fawns attached. I would look for the does and hang on tight. The bucks will be around soon. Every one I spoke to this weekend that **** a,doe said they got busted by a buck when they got down to check the dead deer. That means they are chasing. Let the doe s pass this weekend, because there's sure to be a buck around. Best of luck to you. Sorry this looks like a 5 yr old wrote, but I'm on my phone.
Thanks for the info I'm going to be in Franklin one county South of there it looks like I might luck out on a late rut
They are probably in the duck and cover stage, since the firearm season ended yesterday. :D Good luck to you both!
My bro was down in Franklin county for three weeks came back last Thursday. I would guess most of the ruting activity is over with, althought the second rut may kick in and the doe fawns might come into heat. You never know just hunt smart and hard and you'll have a chance. Some big deer down there. Good Luck!
Yeah gun season has them shook up right now. My strategy for the next few weeks is find the thickest cover, and get on the down wind side of it. Only call if you see a buck that isn't headed your way. From what we have seen, the bucks are locked down, or just got done breeding. A lot of the bucks will still want to find that last hot doe, so you may see some cruising or chasing, but the intense part is pretty much over IMO. Also unless you have a gun tag for that county, you won't be able to hunt from Dec. 1-4 as our 2nd gun season is in.
I drove up and bowhunted Franklin county from November 5-12. I saw a lot of young bucks chasing does around but the big bucks I saw were just out cruising. I think I might have hit it a little early. A couple of buddies of mine went to Franklin and gun hunted this past weekend and they all saw good bucks. Think you will be in a post rut situation unless the doe fawns come in, like was said above. Good Luck and let us know how yall do.
