If the lottery is at 5:00, you' d better be 100% ready to go. If your number gets pulled, get your paper and POOF you' re gone!

Starved Rock ain' t far from you so make some trips and SCOUT IT OUT! Have a couple of game plans ready (but make sure the game plans don' t even slightly resemble the Bears game plans! LOL). There are alot of deer there. Reflective tacks are great for situations like these. But don' t put them on the " front" of the trees-everyone with a light will see them while walking in, probobly following them and ending up..........right there with you. Put them on the " back" side of trees, where you can walk into the woods a bit, look back and line up the dots showing you the travel direction. I don' t know anyone who looks back over their shoulder going into the woods in the morning. Then the reflective tacks can guide you right out after dark sets in.

Getting in even a little before the others might just have the others pushing deer towards you.

REMEMBER! You are on public land and that means sharing. There will be other hunters out there-for sure. POSITIVELY IDENTIFY YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS AROUND AND BEHIND IT.

For walking in and out in the darkness use plenty of bright lights with fresh and extra batteries. I just picked up a couple of these new type of lights with the LEDs at Sports Authority. These are really neat and bright little lights that are kinda like a carabeener. They fuction in five modes. ON-bright, ON-medium, ON-low, BRIGHT FLASH-slow & BRIGHT FLASH-fast. I think having it clipped on my hat and fast flashing will let others know I' m there. On public land the best you can do to keep others out of " your spot" is let them know (see) you from as far away as possible so they can go find " their own spot" .

I see you are a neighbor of mine over in Plainfield. If you might be looking for someone to scout with let me know, I' m always intrested in new places outdoors.

Uncle Matt (in IL)