I am looking for Illinois resident hunters who are sick of the lack of opportunities to hunt in Illinois. Illinois keeps allowing more and more non-residents in every year. I have lost 3 of 4 properties I use to have permission to. The reason I have lost them is because I am a middle-class and not upper-class person. I can't afford these outrageous hunting leases.

Leasing and outfitters are ruining hunting in Illinois. We are ranked 48th in the nation for public hunting land and working class hunters can no longer afford to hunt quality land in Illinois. It's really sad. Wealth now buys big deer. If we don't do something, we'll turn into Texas where you have to buy your hunts.

How can we protect our hunting heritage if I can't afford to get new hunters into hunting? How can we afford to take kids hunting if we are so limited to land?

I am encouraging all members to contact their Illinois state congressmen to enact legislation to guarantee more opportunities to residents.

Any ideas out there for legislation?

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The State of Illinois isnt going to do anything about it. Too much money involved. Non resident hunters generate lots of money for illinois government. All the stste of Illinois is doing is collecting money. They are not doing a thing for the deer herd in my opinion.

Its a shame but I do not see things getting any better anytime soon.One of the ares I hunt the outfitters control over half the land. Another good portion is leaesd to individuals--resident and non resident. Most of the lease prices are too steep for my pocket. I know of leases that are $50 plus per acre. I am amazed each year come November the number of vehicles with out of state plates parked around the area.

If you shop around in Illinois you can buy enough land to deer hunt on for the price of a new pick-up truck. Thats the only way to cover your butt since deer hunting is now big business, even if they reduce the number of out of state hunters. Another thing to do is to promote the development of state leased public access ground. South Dakota has a great program like that.

Its all about economy and income... The state will not do anything for its residents if a hunter is willing to TRAVEL and come HERE to spend MONEY.. non-residents are wealthy and lucky enough to be able to spend their hard earned money to come here and hunt.. They, IMHO, earn their way here.. They spend ALOT of money to come and hunt in Illinois and I feel that if they are capable then they should be allowed that right. After tags, licenses, and outfitter/lease fee's, they have spent a TON of money on this trip.. Noone will ever give you a break when it comes to money unless of course its your family.. This is the tough fight that will never end.. He who holds more money is the one who will become victorious in this battle for land and hunting rights.. This is the way it always has been and this is the way it will always be. Its not the way I like it, and its not the way I wished it were... but it sure is how it is..

Go here and take the survey...
http://dnr.state.il.us/nrab/cc.htm

It addresses all things you talked about here... and possible ways to change it.

Maybe in a few isolated areas, but not in most of Illinois. In my home County of Macoupin that might get you 10 acres of scrub and if it can be developed into a subdivision it might get you 2 acres. That having been said, I absolutely agree with you and that is the approach that I am currently taking. Unfortunately, most hunt able ground gets auctioned rather than sold outright and it goes for a king's ransom most of the time. Hopefully, some hidden jewel will come my way soon.

Thanks for the info, just finished completing the survey... Anyone who is tired of losing their land to leases and outfitters should look into completing this survey..

I understand how you guys feel. I live in Georgia and about 15 years ago Florida hunters started coming up here and leasing GA land. They came because of the high price of hunting in Florida due to all the development there. Our lease prices went from a couple dollars/acre to 15 or 20 dollars/acre. Many Georgia hunters could not pay it, some refused to pay it, and others hunted on public or family land. Florida hunters were not looked upon favorably but they were just doing what they had to do to continue their hunting heritage.

I hunt in Illinois along with several friends and I assure you that we are not wealthy. These guys have jobs and families and bills just like you do. They start saving in January to be able to afford one 5 day hunt in your state. Because of the economy this year, several who planned to come will not be able to. We drive 13 hours each way to be able to experience what some of you might take for granted, the opportunity to hunt where there are truly magnificent whitetails.

I don't have a solution to your problem. Some different approaches have been mentioned above. Just try not to look so negatively at the guys with the out of state tags. They are a lot more like you than you think.

And thats all I have to say about that.

I agree with you . You have the right to spend your money how you wish and if that includes coming to Illinois for a hunt so be it.
When deer slayer states it is about money I feel he is correct only to a certain point. His is about making money as well is the State of Illinois. If It wasnt outfitters wouldnt be paying high doller for leases and driving lease prices up so high the average guy cant justify spending that much. If it wasnt about making money the State of illinois wouldnt charge the outrageous price for non resdident tags.I have heard outfitters gripe about the cost of leases -well you guys did it to yourselves. A local outfitter once complained to me he was tired of local guys leasing land and tired of farmers leasing it to them.Said it was taking land away from them(the outfitter). I asked him well How does it feel? . I have been sure to mention this to most landowners in the area and landowners that lease to them.
the outfitter went on to even state how he has been outfitting for X number of years and has never made money off deer hunting. I say bull crap to that.
Besides I have been hunting 20 plus years and I have never made money off it.
Its not about money to guys like me and you(Grandslamhunter). Its about hunting deer.

The farmer I lease from took his farm away from the outfitter because he was tired of it being hunted by 3 or 4 guys every day from late October until mid December. He wanted to deal with a couple of guys who would enjoy hunting it but not be there every day putting pressure on it. And he didn't charge me nearly as much as the outfitter was paying him. There is hope.