Less buck tags.
Less poaching.
Antler Restrictions.
Excellent Nutrition.

LT

here are some stats

In 1935, the U.P. had 35,000 hunters. Those hunters killed over 14,000 bucks (42% hunter success rate), 55% of those bucks were 3.5 years and older, 16% were 5.5 years and older.

I truly believe N. Michigan and UP could be 1# in deer hunting again

Illinois is 3 0f 4-sort of

1. Gun season out of the Rut and less than 10 days Usually starts late in the rut for 3 days, then another 4 days 2 weeks later.
2. OBR or AR for two NO
3. Low Hunter Numbers Not too bad.
4. Food source OOOHHHH YYEEAAHHH BAAABBYYY !!!!!

I want to bring this back up front to get more opinions, I think its a good topic

In PA, I'd say we have #2 and in some areas #4.
#3 is definitely OUT and #1 is way too long with 2 weeks of both Buck and Doe.


This is huge. In PA, for most guys if it's got the right number of Minimum antlers, it's down. The man who taught me to hunt (My Dad) is exactly that way. Because he's always shot a buck and that's how it should be. "I can't eat antlers". OK, then shoot a doe. We argue all the time about it, but it's fun.

But not everyone views a trophy in the same way. Let's say you get a 300 acre farm and that you plant food plots and try to strickly manage for 'mature' whitetails. What if the surrounding neighbors don't care and shoot the first legal buck. It really gets you nowhere.

I did?

Anyway....I'm not sure if your list is entirely correct but I think it's close. Here in Illinois we have our gun season in the middle of the rut but it's only 3 days in November and 4 days in December so I think that helps a lot to keep the number of big bucks up and strong. We also have a two buck limit no matter what weapon you choose. We also (for the most part) have good food sources although in Hardin County there is more timber than anything yet it still produces great bucks. As far as hunter numbers go, while I don't know the exact amount, Illinois has it's share of hunters, I would not consider it to be low.

So what's the secret?? I can only guess it's mostly the limits enforced by the IDNR along with the excellent food sources (for the most part) and the fact that the November Illinois gun season is really the only time thedeer get killed in great numbers and it only lasts 3 days.

Those three combined is a pretty good receipt forbig deer.

Do all of that other stuff in FL......and then tell me the soil nutrient content isn't number 1 (for growing BIG mature bucks)

Honestly, though...."Mature" bucks ARE everywhere. Given. SOme states are doing it right....and they shine.

Doesn't the soil suck in south Texas? Mexico? They seem to produce big deer every year.

Couldn't have said it any better!

I agree. I think we have plenty of food sources and our gun season is out of the rut. One thing that I would add is that I think we have a high hunter number. Maybe not so much during bow season, but when those gun season's come in, it looks like every strip of woods has a pumpkin patch in them. Around here where I'm from, every hotel is booked either the Friday or Sat. before opening day shotgun season.