As the IL goose season wrapped up this past week, we were still seeing bucks with their head gear still attached. Well at least in Bond and Clinton County, IL. I spent the entire day yesterday in the woods searching for shed's and didn't find a single one; however, I did kick up a smaller buck 110" and he still had his gear on. The good news is that I was able to locate some of hidden trails that look as if someone tilled them up, due to all the tracks on them. At one point I followed this trail to an intersection of multiple trails. The funny thing about it was this junction sits about 70 yards, through some very thick stuff, from a stand that I placed and hunted out of several times. I knew something was good about this area; unfortunately, I choose the wrong tree. Next year will be better, as I now know the patterns a little better. Is anyone else in this region finding sheds?
I found one a week or so ago, and then last night I drove past the farm and saw 3 deer. 2 were small bucks, the other was "antlerless", I'm sure a shed buck.
I took my kids out today and we walked a few miles. Found some very fresh droppings, but no dropped antlers. I have been able to find a few new trails and a great tree for scrapes....could still see four under one tree and there is a great tree for a stand, just 10-15 yards away! Then I fell in a creek and got all wet....my kids, (16 and 13) really enjoyed it however. Great day in the woods!
13 miles the past two days - zero sheds. 4 different bucks spotted all with headgear still attached. A few more weeks and they'll really start to drop.
