Hunting Land Help
 

I know many urban hunters cherish their hunting spot wherever it may be, as I notice more and more land being lost to subdivisions and even a highway cutting through a forest preserve near me, I want to reach out to fellow hunters and ask for help. I have never gotten a deer with my bow in the 4 years ive been bowhunting. I ve hunted public land and had a countless number of hunts ruined by other hunters. Im frustrated and ready to wave the white flag on that. Private land with deer and a good amount of land is virtually impossible to find around me and even when I do find an area the landowners are quick to say no. I had a spot lined up for this season, i had permission, until the landowner talked to his neighbor. His neighbor being a shotgun hunter didnt want him to allow me to hunt his property, the gentlemans whom I got permission from, so he told me to take my stand and get off his property. A spot to hunt spoiled by a fellow hunter. So out of desperation I am going to reach out to the hunting community and ask for help. I am eager to get my first bow kill. I have hunted for many years in Wisconsin during rifle season and been successful but not with my bow. I am an Illinois resident and live about 25 miles southwest of Chicago in the Suburb of Lemont. Im 21 years old, a full time student, and I also work fulltime, so even then my hunting chance are rare. Im asking for help for a place to hunt. I have been turned down many times but refuse to give up. Are there any fellow Illinois hunters willing to allow someone to bow hunt? Can anyone help solve my problem?

RE: Hunting Land Help
 

no chance i guess.......

RE: Hunting Land Help
 

I wish I could help you out, but unfortunately I'm in no position to do so. The only private land I personally have access to does not allow me to bring other hunters with me, otherwise I'd be more than happy to have you out on a hunt. And like you said, land anywhere near the Chicago suburbs to hunt on is extremely hard to come by, and when you do find a spot you're smart to hold onto it for dear life.

The only thing I can tell you is to keep hunting as much as you can and as hard as you can, and eventually good things will happen. Keep door knocking, ask around online, ask people at your local bow/sporing goods store, put an add in the paper, do whatever it takes. There are some decent hunting opportunities on IL public ground as well, maybe someone can take you out and show you a few pointers?

If all else fails, look into saving up some money fora lease or a semi-guided hunt somewhere. You can still find some semi-affordable hunts out there, and maybe you'll even be lucky enough to find someone willing to cut you a deal on an early or late season hunt for does only.

Good luck with your search, and don't give up!

RE: Hunting Land Help
 

Alot of us are in the same boat. Im in illinois but further south. Private land here is getting harder and harder to hunt every day. A few years back I had access to numerous private parcels. But they have dwindled to only a few. Down her the outfitters leased up a bunch and what they didnt lease hunters did so they wouldnt loose it.
Good luck

RE: Hunting Land Help
 

I know just how you feel, and so do most people on here. your looking at this all wrong and most get discoraged like you quick, dont. you need to look at finding a place to hunt as part of the hunt. you need to change your hunting style to meet the conditions. in the 4 years that you have hunted have you done anything for the land owners that gave you permission ? that goes a long way my friend. the parsel of private that i hunt my first deer i split 50/50 with the land owner, kinda dought he will ever tell me to get lost now. christmas he gets a bottle of his favorite bubbly, and a thank you card. look at it as preseason prep. look it as cutting out your shooting lanes at your tree stand, whatever you want to call it. its a nessasary thing if you want to hunt private land and compete with others horning you out. be patient just like you would be on stand, dont look for the perfect spot either. good luck

RE: Hunting Land Help
 

I wouldn't give up on public land. If you look you can find out of the way spots that get little pressure.
There is some army corps of engineers land along the Mississippi river about two hours west of you that you could check into.

RE: Hunting Land Help
 

thanks for all the info and ideas. i would have been glad to give back to a landowner, its just ive never gotten permission anywhere. thanks for all the ideas and i will put them towards future efforts

RE: Hunting Land Help
 

Keith, You are only about 2 hrs north of Newton lake and the Sam Par camp ground. I can tell you that is some awesome hunting there because I have been there. Last year the guys went 5 bucksout of 9 hunters!!! You might want to check that place out its good!!! Walt

RE: Hunting Land Help
 

well i feel you i am 22 started hunting 4 years a go in ky in the middle of the season i oved back to indiana then 6months later ack to ky and at the tail end of my season my second year i moved to nc did not gunt last yea because i did not have hunters ed

this year i got luck moved back to indiana south west were 90% of my conty is woods with three state fish and wildlife areas and i bought a house so no moving and i even ound 40 acres of privit land to hunt that i is bow only ang in there i plan to by some land for the 08 season and when i do your welcome to come down here it is hard getting on privit land my guest is the shotgunners did not wont you getting first crack at there deer
ps since my fris season ihave saw nothing this year i saw 55 deer on 8 hunts missed two big does and had a 8point 15 yards out

RE: Hunting Land Help
 

Check this public land out-

RE: Hunting Land Help
 

Thanks guys. I have been out to Midewin and its nice, but that is where I have done a majority of my hunting and have had many people tromp through the woods near my stand and spoil a hunt. Thanks for all the info, and big tim, dont be surprised if you do hear from me again

RE: Hunting Land Help
 

I started my bowhunting at Necedah Wildlife Refuge/Meadow Valley State Area in Necedah ,Wi. If you hunt out of state check this place out.You can camp early season and hunt from camp.There are about 6 camp areas.Both areas are over 100,000 acres of huntable woods and wetlands.Look on a map.It's in Juneau County.
In Illinois,public land is pretty crowded.Unless you can get a spot pretty much to yourself,try Necedah.It's great if you go before rifle season.Slim pickings after that.They do alot of archery drives there late season.That's fun if you can get invited to drive with a group.They fill alot of tags that way.

RE: Hunting Land Help
 

I hunt public land in Shawnee National Forest in southern IL...about a 5 hour drive for you...if you can get away for weekend I could suggest some decent locations with very little pressure especially during bow season.

I would not give up on Midewin...my friend has taken a couple out of their with bow...just because someone tromps through does not mean all of the deer are gone...that place is full of animals. Bow hunting is just tough and takes patience.

RE: Hunting Land Help
 

I agree you shouldn't give up on public land. Hunt during the week if possible and get as far from access roads as possible. As far as having trouble gaining access to private ground, welcome to Illinois.

RE: Hunting Land Help
 

Thanks I was just out again on public land the other day and I do mostly hunt it during the week so I would think I would be more likely to catch something moving but thats hunting

RE: Hunting Land Help
 

When trying to find private ground dont pass up the small inconspicuous places that you may think arnt worth hunting. Alot of guys around here do and I have found alot of times the deer hide out there and I have taken several deer from such locations.
Just a suggestion.
my only other suggestion is find you some gal whose daddy owns some ground and marry her--REGARDLESS of what she looks like

RE: Hunting Land Help
 

I am in the same boat as you. My dad is getting so frustrated with other people messing up the hunt, but I know there are more deer to be had if we work harder. Just keep looking for a good public place to hunt. One tip is to look for a bow only place to hunt. This time of the year should be the best. Nobody wants to sit in a stand for hours on end in 10 degree weather. Honestly, I hate gun season. Early and late bow is where it's at.

RE: Hunting Land Help
 

Sounds like your too worried about getting onto private land... Public land can be very rewarding, the key is to put a good deal of work into it. I am an hour or two north of you in Wisc. I have taken many big bucks off of public land where others have said there were no big bucks and hunting pressure would keep you unsuccessfull. My success has come from heavy scouting all year round. I hunted some illinois public ground early season last year and saw several huge bucks ( Around Chandlerville) one was even a for sure Booner, and I only actually hunted one weekend. You can call the IDNR or the WDNR and ask to talk with the area bioligist who should be able to tell you about specific public opertunitys in the areas your looking for... That tactic has worked really well for getting me onto great public and lesser known public spots in Iowa. Bottom line is it takes alot of work learning these propertys. Studying topo's and aeriels, walking the property inch for inch post season etc. If you learn the land, and you never over hunt the good spots, you should have no problem getting onto good bucks on the public. Private access will come adventually, but even once you have it., don't just hunt there and burn it up. Move around alot and keep the spots fresh.
I just finished a 2 1/2 hour DVD that explains exactly how I hunt public land in S.E. Wisconsin successfully taking big bucks every year. It might be a good resource for you. Here is a link to check it out or purchase it if you like:
http://bloodbro.com/huntingmarshbucks.php