Suggestions needed.

I just received access to hunt some public land starting next Saturday and can only hunt it for 1 week. Since I just found out and got my passes I have not had any chance to scout the property at all. The only thing I have to go by is the satalite images. The property is surrounded by roads on 3 sides and a few houses to the North. I would usually pass on this land but don't have time to go anywhere else and this property is supposed to have some huge deer on it.

So if you had were going to hunt this totally blind where would you set up if you only had 2 days to hunt?

 

Right 'chere....is where I would look:d

EDIT: Take my suggestions with a grain of salt.

 

Well I am hoping with any luck I might be able to make it over wednesday afternoon but it doesn't look good at this point. And even if I make it it will be just before dark so I am not sure how much I will get to see. Might just do some glassing from my car.

I was thinking of that same area also. Far enough away from the roads and that house in the north east corner. Plus might give me access to that field should they wonder out from some distant location.

 

Ferg I was thinking the same thing as OK ive been over there and seen the deer coming out of
that spot heading southwest in the afternoon time.

 

I'm with you guys, the area funneling between the two larger sets of woods is where I would start.

 

Gotta love Illinois.

Moraine Hills consists of about 3500 acres of land and they give you a tiny chunk next to houses thats what.. like 40 acres? If that.

Here's the skinny Ferg.. as I know those woods real well. Your on the Mchenry Dam side.. and your NOT near many deer at all. Most of the deer are on the other side of the road you drive onto when going to the dam.

Occasionally I've seen a decent buck in where you're at.. but not very often. Ten years ago that little chunk always had deer in it.. but not no more.

Take the advice of the above mentioned.. but move more to the west (left). That's right about where I've always seen the deer in the past.

JZ also knows that area pretty well. You might want to ask him.

 

I see a few bottlenecks I would have to check out. GOOD LUCK!!!!

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I was very disappointed when I found out what spot I was given to hunt. And they only have it for a week so it is really going to be two days of getting in and getting out. Not expecting anything from it but it is this or nothing this weekend.

I will definetly check with JZ also! Thanks

 

Well atleast one positive things I just found out. This location will not be participating in the Illinois youth hunt next weekend so I won't have to worry about the kids, guns or blaze orange!!!

 

Ferg, can you hunt just outside of the red box. Look to the southeast where that road does that "S" curve. Look right where the road curves. that is very similar to a stretch of road I hunt. they tend to cross right at the curves. Good luck out there anyways.

 

Unfortunitly I am going to be confined to that area in red. The area you are talking about is considered zone B.

 

jferg, i would check out the lightly treed area in the middle and keep my head on a swivel for the first day just to see what you can see across that wide open area, then run and gun the next day hard looking for any runs or turkey foot in the thick stuff (try toppo.com)if you're still striking out i'd check with those two houses i see and ask them where the deer seem to cross, maybe hit them to or from watering at the lake to the southwest.

 

I am hoping to make it over tonight just to do some glassing and I might just stop in at those houses and see if they can give me any pointers. I hadn't even thought of doing that. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

as you walk up to the house look for gardens in the back yards too!

 

how did it go last night?

 

Unfortunitly I was not able to make it over lastnight. I was already to leave the office early, even had teh computer turned off when my boss came over and needed me to do something. Totally sucked. And I know I can't make it over tonight so my first visit will be about 4:30 Saturday morning.

 

=-) you'll prob smack a monster at daylight and prove us all wrong with our suggestions!!!!!!!!!

 

That would be awsome! Not likely but awsome!

 

Well I did manage to make it out this afternoon to check out the area. To be honest I didn't see a single sign of deer anywhere. I did talk to a guy from the area that says he sees deer all the time. Turns out the area that looks like open field is actually a swamp. And the area is terribly small compared to what it looks like on the map. Only good thing is I found out I am the only one that has a permit for this location this weekend. Hopefully I won't run into anyone else.