I have a tough choice coming up as I plan for next season. I have to choose between a trip to southern IL with an outfitter that I hunted with this year. Hunting public land and being able to buy a lot of cool gear not that I need much. Also trying to find a land lease that fits the budget with decent deer activity. I really like the outfitter and the people. These people treat you like family to the point that I offered to help on the farm for a weekend and they invited my family to stay while we worked. I'm really torn since it would only be five days of hunting. I'd still be able to hunt public land but would be limited to keep the wife happy. If I only hunted public land I could hunt once a week without an issue.
There is really nothing wrong with any of those choices. Personally I would not consider hunting on an outfitted hunt in my own state, but then I am sure our circumstances are different as I live in farm country. Nothing wrong with a lease but many times you can do some homework and gain permission without paying. The 80 acres I have done most of my hunting on since back in the 80's I have to share with a few other hunters is Free and the owner is Not interested in leasing. I wish I could lease it :-) Also Public land can provide some good hunting, especially some of the special draw areas, or out of the way smaller spots. Good Luck whatever you decide! Dan
Yeah the main problem I have is that the closest land I can hunt is sixty miles away. Most of that land is state owned and not much is farmed In my five year plan I hope to be on something like you mentioned.
True dat. Unfortunately unlike Mean V.. its much rougher for us northern Illinois folks. Being close to the city means 3 things... more people.. less land.. MUCH more money. So you have to contend with lots more hunters who are wealthier than you for.. and this is the kicker.. all for less available land. So.. leasing land a few hours from home is likely your best bet.
Here near Bloomington/Normal there aren't too many deer hunting opportunities unless you like really crowded public land or you have some really good connections to get on the very small amount of wooded acreage around here. There aren't even many opportunities to lease land in this or the surrounding counties. (tho' it's still waaaaaay better than Chicagoland... if for no other reason than it's not Chicagoland) So... I drive 60 miles (one way) to hunt on public land and I pay 700.00 to go hunt with an outfitter in Brown Co. for 3 days. The outfitter offers this 'cheap' hunt (agh.. it's still 700.00) for women hunters only. That's cheaper than it would be for me to lease property in Brown County and it's a welcome change from 'public-ness' of public land. If I were smarter, I'd move from Central IL. If you're willing to drive to true southern IL (not just the anything south of I-80 southern IL) ... then there is some good public land hunting to be had down there.
If the leased land is close I would go that route. If not, take the trip. Like you said, you have most of the gear. Use what you have and go for more enjoyable hunts.
D.) Move to Alaska and wonder WTF a hunting lease is and what's the big deal about finding a place to hunt?
lmfao if it was up to me i'd do just that but my better half needs walmart within ten minutes or I think she'd die lol
Rob's about 2-3 minutes from a Walmart...start packing.:D I'd choose the lease myself if only between these 3 options...allows you to hunt all year, not have to fight the masses of public land, and not be limited to where an outfitter wants you to sit for your 3 day hunt.
If a lease was close and got me out more times than public land an hour away, that is what I would do. Personally, an outfitted hunt to me is an "extra" in a season and could never consider it as a substitute for an entire season.
