Question About Illinois Bowhunt...
#1
Question About Illinois Bowhunt...
I will be traveling from Maryland to Adams County, Illinois to bowhunt the second week of October. Is this too early to use rattling horns, grunts, buck decoy,etc... in this area?
#3
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Quincy, IL
Posts: 188
RE: Question About Illinois Bowhunt...
It's a little early for the Grunt call, but you can still get their attention. Traditionally, the rut doesn't start getting heavy until November. In early October there is still a lot of foilage on the trees and it is difficult to see at time. Making a little noise shouldn't hurt your chances IMO.
Where are you hunting in Adams? I'm from Quincy.
Where are you hunting in Adams? I'm from Quincy.
#4
RE: Question About Illinois Bowhunt...
I'll be hunting near Loraine, which is a little northeast of Clayton. I'm about to book a hunt with Bigneck Outfitters. I'm pretty excited about it. Our deer are soooo small compared to yours! A huge deer around here would dress out at around 150 lbs. Average buck is probably around 115-125 lbs.
#5
RE: Question About Illinois Bowhunt...
This buck came into a rattle bag and grunt tube on the 15th of Oct. this past season. Could have been a coincidence I don't know. However,about 1 minute after I hit a rattle bag and grunt sequence he came in very aggressively. He even walked past my shooting lane, only to be turned around again by another hit of the grunt tube. I usually grunt a tiny bit durning the first week or two. However, the night I took this buck was the first trip where I used the rattle bag. Early October is probably a little early for such calls but I have never noticed them hurting anything. So you might as well try them IMO.
#7
RE: Follow Up Question...
I'm not a big user of decoys,but using a grunt call would be fine that time of year. Rattling is also ok. I have called bucks in with grunt calls as early as opening day, but I dont use an aggresive rattle early. I go easy on the rattles early. {My opinion only folks}. Depends alot on how our weather is here also that time of year. Just dont be aggresive with a grunt or rattles early.
#9
RE: Follow Up Question...
Born & raised in N.W. Ill. & now in N.E. Iowa 30 min from my hometown.
Been Bowhunting 50 years now. I always use scents-Doe urine until the 15th & then switch to Doe sex scents-I do not use Buck scents. I us grunt call from day one through the season & very light rattleing until around the end of Oct-not alot-couple times per setting. After that I become more frequent rattling/grunt & aggressive with them.
My TWO largest bucks were taken during the 1st week of the season & both are P&Y. Pic is my smallest qualifier Buck taken on Oct. 4thin Ill.
Just cause it's early doesn't mean they aren't around.
Oh, I really don't care about P&Y(neverenter & have a few)but a nice Buck is something we all want to walk by whlie Bowhunting.
You will be in a good place for that-the Midwest.....Good Luck.....
Been Bowhunting 50 years now. I always use scents-Doe urine until the 15th & then switch to Doe sex scents-I do not use Buck scents. I us grunt call from day one through the season & very light rattleing until around the end of Oct-not alot-couple times per setting. After that I become more frequent rattling/grunt & aggressive with them.
My TWO largest bucks were taken during the 1st week of the season & both are P&Y. Pic is my smallest qualifier Buck taken on Oct. 4thin Ill.
Just cause it's early doesn't mean they aren't around.
Oh, I really don't care about P&Y(neverenter & have a few)but a nice Buck is something we all want to walk by whlie Bowhunting.
You will be in a good place for that-the Midwest.....Good Luck.....
#10
RE: Follow Up Question...
Grunting will work. But I am not a big fan of scents of any kind. I believe the deer can tell real from bottled. I prefer to go as scent free as possible.
Good luck with one of those big boys.
Good luck with one of those big boys.
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