Looking to go to Illinois for a hunt this year. Is the rut truly the best time for a bowhunt in Illinois or would you suggest mid to late October? Appreciate any info
NOV. 2 - NOV. 14 IS THE TRADITIONALLY BEST TIME TO DO DAMAGE IN ILLINOIS. BUT MY VACATION IS SET RELIGOUSLY TO THE RUTTING MOON. I BELIEVE 3 DAYS BEFORE AND UP TO 7 DAYS AFTER ARE THE BEST TIME TO HUNT. I HAVE SEEN TOO BIG BUCKS FALL DURING THIS TIME PERIOD NOT TO BELIEVE IT. I SAW TWO SHOOTERS LAST YEAR BEFORE THIS TIME HUNTING EVERYDAY. DURING THIS TIME, I SAW 10-15 DIFFERENT SHOOTERS. MY SUGGESTION IS TO HUNT ALL DAY. I HUNT PUBLIC GROUND AND I SEE LOTS OF DEER ACTIVITY FROM 10 A.M. TO 2:30 P.M. AND PROBABLY WOULD SAY MAJORITY IS MATURE BUCK MOVEMENT. KILLED P&Y LAST YEAR AT 10 A.M. AND IN 2005 AT 2:20 P.M 20 MINUTES AFTER I GOT UP THE TREE.
I usually love to hunt the rut as well but hunting public land during the peak times can be equally frustrating with the amount of hunting pressure these public areas receive.
If you're hunting on public ground I like the first 2 weeks of Oct. and Nov. Oct they haven't changed their patterns much and haven't felt too much pressure. Nov. they are moving like crazy and as ihunt said 10am- 2pm seems to be a great time to be on public ground.
Best times to hunt
