The Illinois Whitetail Disaster - Don Higgins

No, not really. But it was trespassing, he paid a fine. So, no one should EVER listen to a word he says about deer management again?

 

Yes....

 

Ok, less deer, less big bucks, more leases and less hunting grounds for the common man/woman...what?

 

Crappy hunting in Illinois is a dream hunt to a lot of us. It seems like the negativity of the Illinois deer herd stems mainly from having such great hunting in the past. By the way, truly amazing how you were able to inject both HCH and Allysa Milano in the same thread.

 

Here's my fanciful fix for Illinois.


One: Wait until the entire legislative body is in session and all are present. Two: Block off all exits out of the capitol buildings and set them on fire. Three: Start over with fresh, non-Chicago politicians.

Kidding!! (a little)


More seriously, the IDNR needs to be a self funded and controlled division. Not at the mercy of funding from the general fund or lead by political appointments. If this means that fees will skyrocket, so be it. Charge state park fees. Launch fees. Double the outfitter fee. Raise the price of deer tags to $35 each. (that would raise funds and cut the number of deer killed in one swoop) Heck, they could call these 'temporary increases'. Just like IL's temporary toll fees and tax increases. (snicker)

And for crying out loud, IL hunters.. join IFOR or form some decent hunter's group. IL hunters suck at forming any type of cohesive group.

 

Thank you! hahaha

 

All of the above.

I can only speak for my situation in general.

Tags are virtually limitless. I have never been denied 2 gun tags every year, and over the last few years you could buy even more over the counter. Combine this with increasing late season antlerless gun seasons, and a lot of deer are being killed. I think history proves the common man is not responsible enough to effectively control a healthy population without direction from a competant DNR. People are putting a lot of blame on EHD and coyotes, but honestly with my experience this hasn't been a major issue on our 365 acre slice of heaven.

I saw 12 deer all of bow season. My dad saw 2. Between this farm and my uncles directly to the south 10 hunters killed 4 deer (all with a gun). Only 4 of us actually saw a deer during our 2 gun seasons. My trail cameras echo this. '94 was the first season I was old enough to hang around our gun camp. I was 7. This is the worst I can remember. When it comes to big bucks the 90's were way better for us. It seemed every year produced a wall hanger or 2.

Were we spoiled? Absolutely, but there is no reason not to think that with change things can rebound.

 

I saw a deer today, the first one I've seen since mid November. I didn't see a single deer during either shotgun season, or during the muzzle loader season. The neighbors aren't seeing any deer either. I can't speak for the whole state, but within a few miles of where I live/hunt, no one that I spoke with had a good season.

 

You are spot on buddy!

 

Name calling???.....LOL, your employers must be proud of the way you conduct yourself in a mature fashion in public. True colors.

Honestly, I don't see what how many people you had with you has any bearing on the story either way.

A guilty plea, conviction, and paid fine are all proof the crime was committed. Not sure what you're fishing for there.........seems like you regret your plea (actually the fact is was made public) and now want to go back and re-write history.

A landowner has every right to property that was taken from his land by a trespasser. I know where I live if a deer crosses a property line and the landowner won't allow you to retrieve it you are SOL. In fact, don't your court documents state that is precisely why you did it??.....because you knew he'd never let you take the deer. Something I believe you attributed again to a vast conspiracy against you by everyone from jealous hunters to the state of Illinois and it's attorneys.

Don't try to pass your opinions as facts.

Someone's criminal past is VERY relevant to me. It weighs heavily on my judgement whether or not to trust a person. I would not trust a person with a history of pleading guilty to hunting related crimes with anything that could effect an entire states deer herd and hundreds of thousands of other law abiding hunters.

You did plead guilty to being a trespasser while hunting right??

You fought to keep that a secret because you knew it would be a negative mark on your character that most hunters and perhaps even your employers would frown upon. Now that it is public knowledge I would think you would be more capable of accepting someone's opinion on the story, no matter which side they fall.

Clearly you regret taking the easy way out and pleading guilty.

 

I am not understand the hostility toward a guy who writes an article and might have trespassed on someone's land to retrieve a legally killed deer. I just don't get it. Heck, I have a criminal past I guess. I was attacked by a bouncer and defended myself accordingly. I was arrested for assault and battery. Luckily the charge was dropped at court. But I guess I have a criminal history of some sort regarding violence, so anything I say about violence should be null and void?

Some of the best people I know have been through some rough times and come out better. I would trust my family's life with them, regardless of some iffy criminal charge.

 

I have no hostility towards Don. I simply voiced an opinion that his past would keep me from seeking his advice on anything related to hunting or deer management. If hostility at all has been shown it was by Don in response to that opinion.

There is no "might have".........he plead guilty to trespassing.

Your charges were dropped=not guilty. See the difference??


Just for clarity..........so you're OK with trespassers on your land??

 

Atlas, I don't have land, but no I would not be ok with trespasser on my land if I did own any. That being said, a guy retrieving a deer he rightfully killed on an adjoining bit of property would not make me want to call the cops or warden.

 

Wow. Sour. I'm reminded of a song.

http://youtu.be/5DmYLrxR0Y8

But really we are all in it together. Similar people with similar interests and similar desires. Start acting like it guys.

 

Seems like a contradiction but I think I see your point. A point I hope you see is sometimes the answer is NO.........and that needs to be respected just as much. Should someone NOT feel as you do and not want you on their land under ANY circumstances then that is their right as a landowner.

All my neighbors are welcome to recover a deer that dies on my land.......a select few guys are not and for VERY good reason. Uu

 

I just want to see Don's deer!

 

I was thinking the same thing. I'd love to see it.

I'm wondering if this thread had anything to do with there being 400+ people viewing Bowhunting Talk yesterday? The average is about 50.

 

just google don Higgins and you can many of the giant deer he's taken in Illinois over the years. He's a renowned Illinois hunter and author. I've been reading his works online and through various magazine publications for the better part of nearly a decade I think.

he has a great following.. And because of it he has the power to suede the Illinois state deer hunters to more proactive means with our deer herd. I hope he does take that route in the future.

and Brett (virginiashadow) sorry for the condescending tone earlier. Wasn't trying to do that (never am). The issue was that a lot of the time I'm writing on my phone or in a fleeting moment on my wife's iPad. I tend to write quick and put the instrument down without re-reading my words a lot of the time and it comes out like an arse. My bad.

I couldn't reply earlier to this thread when Higgins was still on.. I was busy helping the wife give birth to my second daughter.

 

So you would rather the deer go to waste than let them recover the deer? Why not just escort them onto your property to retreive the deer?

 

Mike I replied to you buddy. It is no problem. You felt strongly about something and I did not have the facts to back up what I said. Congratulations on the birth of your new precious little girl! Bam!