As can be noted in the current news, not much gets done politically in Illinois without somebody’s pocket getting lined. Unfortunately for IL deer hunters, it’s pretty much pay to play now too. Only about 1% of Illinois is owned by the state and of course only a portion of that is huntable. With the recent park closings thanks to our well-coifed but not-so-well-loved governor, even less land is now available to hunters. If you want to hunt private ground in Illinois, you need to be well connected or be willing to lease land or use an outfitter.

I already do the vast majority of my hunting on public land. I’ve found most lease prices and outfitter prices to be more than I could budget. Then one day in August my friend Deb mentions a ‘women’s only’ deer hunt in Brown County. The cost was much less than most leases and about half of what an outfitter would regularly charge.

It was a hunt offered by Larry Hanold, of Hunting Unlimited. Larry owns the 900 acres of vineyard and hunting paradise. Going with an outfitter that wasn’t leasing up ground made the hunt more appealing to me personally.

Deb had been going on this hunt for many years and spoke highly of Larry and his property. I trust her so I signed up. I’m glad I did.

Larry's main business is this beautiful winery. 

I saw deer the first morning but none came close enough for a good look. That evening I was literally surrounded by deer. I was in a staging area and the does were eating leaves while some young bucks pestered them. The does tempted me but there were too many eyes. Every time I tried to move a big doe in particular would stomp at me. She never left and never got too upset but she kept at least one eye on me while she fed on leaves.

The second morning and it had been raining off and on and finally became a steady rain. I had already had a spike walk by and a doe and fawn passed by just a bit later. Then I see antlers coming up the trail. One side looked good but the left side looked to be missing two points. I grab for my little camera instead of getting ready to shoot. The buck comes up the trail and is exactly 20 yards away. I try to get a couple pictures of him but the rain prevents my camera from focusing.

I picked up my camera instead of my bow when I first saw this buck.

As he stands there, he turns and looks behind him. I look to see if there is anything else coming up the trail but I don't see anything. However, I do notice that he actually has a pretty neat rack. He starts to walk again and I almost panic as I put my camera back in my pocket, lift the bow, clip on the release, draw, aim and shoot. I almost managed to do all that in a pretty smooth manner.

The rain changed from steady to downpour right when I shot him. I didn't have any trouble seeing where the arrow hit because I was using a lighted nock (a firenock). It looked to be a perfect heart shot, but the arrow hit the far leg and there was no exit hole.

I caught my breath, whispered some thank yous, lowered my bow and set off after the deer to be sure I wouldn't lose the blood trail in the rain. Even with just the entrance hole, the blood trail was good and I found the buck easily, although he did manage to go just over 100 yards. 

Hey, my rain gear doesn't work!

The buck weighed 185 lbs field dressed and had 14 scorable points.

It can't rain all the time.

I went out the last evening looking for a doe. No does came within range but this guy shows up to check out a spike that was in front of me. He came within 30 yards. This is the best picture I could get of him. He was a big bodied, nice looking buck. Maybe next year I'll get him.

Deb took a nice doe and while she saw several bucks they were too young or too far away.

Deb with her Brown Co. doe.

Deb, Larry and I.

Our guide Jim.  He did a great job. 

If you are interested in this women's hunt, contact Larry at Hunting Unlimited or email me.  The property was gorgeous, the deer were abundant and there are some true giants out there.  The lodging is older trailers that probably won't be featured in a Conde Nast magazine anytime soon but they're warm and the showers are hot.  The food was all home cooked by Larry's wife Phyllis and was excellent.  If you're a wine afficianado, you'll enjoy the beautiful winery on the property.

My gear for this hunt;

’06 Bowtech Equalizer set at 43 lbs

Muzzy 125 gr 3 blade broadheads

Hind Sight Bowsite

Easton Lightspeed arrows

Firenock lighted nock

You can contact me at Chris@hunting.net