I only hunt in my home state. I have private property across the state and I often don't even get a chance to go to the spots farther from where I live even though they are the better spots. With kids and a budget I can't justify (or afford) the cost of an out of state license, let alone guide fees. I don't even pay club dues (not in a club).

I do most of my huntingat home but I take several trips to KY deer and turkey hunting and have been to Tx. bobcat hunting. I enjoy the change of terrian.

I live in Maryland and I hunt 100% in Wisconsin. I just bought a new bow and will be looking to do some hunting around my house in MD.

I also live in MD, and do all of my hunting in my home state. I'd love to go after some of those giant bucks in Ill, Iowa, or Kansas, but the gas prices are becoming as big a deterrent as some of the other costs. Heck, my spring turkey hunts make me travel about 450 miles round trip just for a chance at a "free" turkey!

Well the way I see the gas price problem is this at $2.00/gal it costs me $36 dollars to fill up which take 4 tanks to S. Illinois and back costing me a total of $144 in gas per trip. If it goes to $3.00 it will cost me $72.00 more per trip. And at $4.00 would be $144 more per trip.Now devide that in 1/2 because my brother always goes with me and that brings the amount between $2.00/gal and $4.00/gal to $72 dollarsper trip for each of us.That isnt enough to make me miss out on the rut in Illinois. Some of you guys need to talk a buddy or two into heading out with you. My wife surely complains about the increase since Im also just an everyday working guy but I make up for it by packing a lunch everyday instead of eating off the aweful gut truck or going out at lunch time. I also try to cut corners elsewhere. ANYTHING to make it to IL in Nov. Where there's a will there's a way.

Jason

I live in Pa. I hunted a total of 3 days last fall with rifle, killed a heavy 9 pt. I got a 10 pt. in mid oct. in ohio then packed up my stuff and headed to ill. hunted there about 18 days for the first time, what a place. I hunt only free places with a lot of time andresearching you will come up with more land then you can hunt. If I only hunted at home I wouldn't be able to hunt much because I'm a workaholic I have to leave down to get away from it . I'm willing to bust my butt 10 months a year to hunt2 months were I want to ,it gives me a goal in life . I'v hunted in 10 states and canada in my time I am 44 yrs old and don't make a lot of money laying carpet but I'm good saver.Good luck to all.

formula1,
I have not hunted that far South. My boss has hunted a spot a county South of Union and they do well down there. He said the deer a very large. Are you going to be near the river or Shawnee National Forest? It looks on the map to be a great area. Let us know how you do. I live just East and North of St. Louis in Macouipin County. Good luck!!

D

Mostly hunt local areas,my son and my self try to take a road trip every other year- ohio this year. Rich

My home state mostofthe time, but I do have plans to visit Iowa and Alberta again in the next couple years.

forumula1... I'd recommend staying away from Union County; there's simply no deer around there at all...

















[:-]If you won't tell anyone, these two came from around that neck of the woods...




Like I said, little dinks like this is all that's around there.