I will be leaving for southern Illinois (Gallatin/Hardin counties) on Nov 11th. I am hunting 6 days with a bow, and the first 3 day shotgun season. What type of rutting activity do you guys think I will see during those dates? Do you guys use decoys that time of the year, and are they doe or buck decoys? I just pray that the weather cools down by then. It looks pretty warm down there right now according to internet weather channel.

Hello archer, i am from Northern Illinois and i have seen 2 posts that say Nov. 10th- Nov. 20th for our Rut. So it sounds like you should be right in the thick of it. Good luck and great shooting.

I would be carefull on decoy placement during gun season. I don't know about that area but there are some people that will shoot at anything.

I am planning to only use the decoy during achery. I am hoping it can bring that big boy the extra yards needed for a close bow shot.

I am living in Carbondale going to SIU right now. I leave here on the weekends to go hunt at home in Central Il. Here in Carbondale, it hasn't got real cold yet. Needless to say the deer will at least be in the chase phase, and are probably starting to breed by nov. 10. Good luck