Late-Season Slabs
Prospects for big crappies in area reservoirs are great in October, November and December!
READ MORE ›Adventures: Illinois
Summer On A Shoestring
I’d gotten a late start from the deer lodge at the western border of Illinois, but decided to get a few good hours of driving in anyway. Luck was with me. Since I was towing
a small camper, I stopped in Eastern Illinois at Morraine View State Park. I’d planned to catch a few hours of sleep and continue to Pennsylvania in the morning. But when I went
to headquarters in the morning to grab some coffee, I found out that the state would be stocking pheasants there within a few minutes. I had two trained German shorthaired pointers with me and soon, I was the most popular gal in town!
Impact Of Drought On Antler Growth
Ed K. from Illinois
writes to ask about the impact of drought on antler growth. “Apparently we
are in the midst of the worst drought in history for the Midwest
(in 2012). Farmers here have already cut their corn for silage. How much will
this drought impact antler growth?”
Hunting Bucks: When Is Enough, Enough?
Gene S. writes from Illinois
to ask about the number of bucks one can harvest. “I’ve heard a rumor that a
hunter can take three bucks next year (2012) in Illinois. Frankly, I think being allowed to harvest more than
one is a problem for our bucks. We have a great reputation for big bucks
that attracts hunters. Is more than one buck per hunter
hurting our bucks?”
Coyotes And Deer
Andy W. from Illinois writes to ask about coyotes. "We have a ton of coyotes in my area. Just how much damage can they do to deer, and is there anything I can do about it?"
READ MORE ›New Data On Deer Movement During Moon Phases
Larry S. from
writes to ask about the lunar cycle and deer movements. “I’ve read several
theories on the impacts, or lack of it, of the moon phase on buck movement. Is
there any new data out there that may help to answer this age-old question?”
Sausage In The Snow
It was the last two days of the Illinois
firearm deer season. This January season is to fill unused tags with antlerless
deer only. I had two permits and thought I could fill both tags on this herd, but knew it would be tough with my .50-caliber Thompson/Center Pro Hunter muzzleloader.
Illinois Hunting: The Snakeman Scores
The Snakeman had been feeling a little snake bit. After all, he lived in the land of big bucks. Where was his? “It seemed like every show I watched on the Outdoor Channel was about
hence the nickname),
Doubling Up On Spring Toms
In all my years of turkey hunting, in over a dozen states, with a hundred different hunting companions, I have yet to be part of a double kill. But for Roger Lewis and Mike Hamski, it is becoming routine, instead of an exception to the rule. Here’s how the two pulled it off this time.
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