IL gun permitts????
 

When will we be able to look online and see if we got what we want? It has said "pending" for 6 weeks now.

RE: IL gun permitts????
 

Probably another 3-5 weeks.

RE: IL gun permitts????
 

I usually get mine sometime mid July if I remember right. I think Kid is about right. After drawn I think it states they are mailed out about two weeks after that.

RE: IL gun permitts????
 

Hoping luck strikes me 2 years in a row. Applied for primo units.

RE: IL gun permitts????
 

X2....good luck!

RE: IL gun permitts????
 

Zim, I hope you get yours as well, and you prob. would have a 100% chance IF our DNR didn't issue 100% permitts to Non-Residents....money hungry SOB's.

RE: IL gun permitts????
 

We grant requested permits to 100% of the NRs that apply?

RE: IL gun permitts????
 

Would love to see them grant doe permits to 100% of everyone who applies, or buck and doe permits for that matter.

RE: IL gun permitts????
 

Actually nonresidents are not allowed in the 1st gun lottery, and all residents are granted two archery buck tags so I cannot complain. I'll be hunting some great public lands no matter what. It's just I like having gun tags somewhere, so I don't have to sit home on those days.

The only thing I wish Illinois would change about their gun draw is they should allow multiple choices like for turkey, and look at all your choices before going to the next applicant. This way a resident could almost assuredly draw a lesser quality property on a 2nd or 3rd choice rather than be forced into the 2nd lottery. I'd be happy with any gun tag in my pocket than none.

RE: IL gun permitts????
 

On archery we do, gun is prob. somewhere around 40%, but we all know it is alot easier to kill with a gun than bow, so you match up the 40% vs 100% and it's alot of deer being harvested by NR. Our DNR sucks, and if they don't change their way of thinking, my 11 year old will have a horrible time finding somewhere to hunt when he's my age. They need to regulate the outfitter boom happening state wide, it's out of control. We are on track to becoming the next Texas as far as being almost 100% lease besides the public parks.

RE: IL gun permitts????
 

I find it depressing that you should have to apply for permits to begin with, the game belongs to everyone in your state, you shouldn't have to apply for permission to hunt a given area other than from the property owners. The trophy mentality is killing your future hunting, hope y'all can afford it.

RE: IL gun permitts????
 

Kevin,

The permit system in Illinois has been around, to my knowledge, since they restocked deer and startting allowing folks to hunt them back in the 1950s or 1960s. And you would think that the DNR would make some effort to develop more public access hunting ground, but it aint gonna happen unless people organize and push for it. Beyond that, if you want guaranteed access to hunting ground in the future, you better beg, borrow, or steal the money to buy your own ground. It is still affordable in some places if you keep your eyes open.

RE: IL gun permitts????
 

That is probably true, but if you find something priced reasonably and it is actually good deer hunting ground,you better act fast. I recently saw 20 acres in my home County of Macoupin advertised as "good deer hunting" and priced at $140,000! Sad thing is, the owner will almost surely get it! The reputation Illinois has gained over the years is without question, the worst thing to ever happen to deer hunting in thisState. The price people will pay to buy ground, lease ground, use an outfitter, or do it yourself in hopes of killing a "trophy buck" in Illinois boggles my mind. Surely some kill the "buck of a lifetime", but i would guessmost go home with nothing at all, or a little 120" or 130" deer and figure it was worth it.

RE: IL gun permitts????
 

You just gotta shop around and be ready. I am in the process of buying some decent hunting ground in Wayne County for 1650 an acre.

RE: IL gun permitts????
 

Looks like you found yourself a tremendous investment.

RE: IL gun permitts????
 

I think that the real estate bust is even starting to effect hunting ground prices. There is a 20 acre piece in Richland County (including some cropland) that has been on the market for about 2400 an acre for a year with no takers. They are probably gonna have to go down to about 2K to get any real offers. Dunno if things are gonna change in the really hot deer counties, but i think that the next year or so is gonna be the best opportunity for people to buy ground in the lesser known areas.