The stats are not two years old. It is possible you looked at them two years ago. I own the book and am looking at it right now.

And hey.. I'm not knocking anything you do Greg. I think its great you have land in Lake cnty, Illinois. I've lived in this county my whole life.

But the land is at a premium.. and there is not much left. Don't say that there is when there is not. It's all about who you know.

I've been looking and asking everyone I can for nearly 3 years now and still never get a yes. And just finding land that isn't owned by the forest preserves, or banks, or developement company's is real hard.

Oh.. and my PM box works.. I'll pass it along to Justin. We're both just curious.

And ditto to what HNIJustin just posted. Pathetic that is how it is.

100" is a good buck here. Not due to hunting pressure or genetics, Its mostly due to the food supplies - its mostly mast and browse. I have seen a few that would go 150+", but they are few and far between. I can only wonder what they might have become in a more nutricious area.

I've seen 2 booners in the last 30 days. . .and after reading some of the posts ahead of this, I almost feel guiltyabout it. . .

It seems those that are seeing booners even just once every couple of yearsshould be thankful for living where they live. I personally am suprised at the lack of big deer not only in my area but also in YOUR areas. Good post GregH.

loogout1

I am in hundred percent agreement with you on the pressure even though it is a bow only county. We also have one downfall to our land, a gas line that runs about 500 yards right through the middle. Once gun season opens up then the poachers and nighthunters come out in full flock. I cannot tell you how many times my hunting partner and I have looked at the shine of a q-beam on the way out of the woods. We have 2 game wardens for the 3 surrounding counties and I can assure you we are on a first name basis but zero arrests in several years, and over 30 dead deer on the gasline and several with the horns cut off. Now alot of these are small deer and does, but a couple were well over 200 lbs on the hoof and for a GA deer that could be the big boy. I just know froma few sighting and a couple close encounters the a B/C is possible.

On my place Ill seeseveral 150" deer every season. By no means does that mean I shoot one every year. What I would consider the top end for my place would range from 170 and up. This year was a little slow never saw any of what I would consider giants but did see one or two pushing B&C. Normaly Ill see at least one or two around the 180+ mark.

Don't trust them Greg

All I ask is when Greg kicks the bucket that he puts in his will that duke and I can hunt his spots. Is that so much to ask?

No way... I live closer!