ORIGINAL: Zim
With all due respect, it's reeeeeaaaaally stretching it to claim we are not far behind Iowa & Illinois with regards to buck quality. The fact is we are not even close. I've hunted all 3 of these states for years. My big buck sightings in Indiana are a mere fraction of those I've seen in Iowa & Illinois. Our long gun rut seasons see to that. IN registers about 1/4th the B&C entries these other states do.
I'd hunt any public land in IA or IL before I'd hunt even private land in IN.
Good luck with your outfitted hunt. I scored a 140 class on IL public land last year. Passed on every buck in IN and ate that tag.
I've hunted private land in Pike, IL since '97 and have seen a grand total of 2 really nice deer. None of which are on my wall. I was thrilled a few years back to getmy little 7 point.Because of my losing my place to hunt this year I am heading to Indiana to hunt with a friend opening weekend of Indian's gun season.