Deer,shotgun, what to expect?
10-10-2003, 12:06 PM
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Too close to Chicago
Posts: 3,337
Deer,shotgun, what to expect?
OK, I finally got my first shotgun deer permit.
It' s for Starved Rock State Park in IL.
I' ve heard it can get a bit nuts out there, and I' ve heard of several stories on this board of people getting shot, including Crowpecker. Do you think it' s too dangerous to be in a stand on land that has rolling hills and canyons because of careless shots from over the next rise? Should I be hunting on the ground instead?
...and do the deer just keep running all day trying to get away from all the gunfire?
It' s for Starved Rock State Park in IL.
I' ve heard it can get a bit nuts out there, and I' ve heard of several stories on this board of people getting shot, including Crowpecker. Do you think it' s too dangerous to be in a stand on land that has rolling hills and canyons because of careless shots from over the next rise? Should I be hunting on the ground instead?
...and do the deer just keep running all day trying to get away from all the gunfire?
10-10-2003, 01:38 PM
#2
Typical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Posts: 586
RE: Deer,shotgun, what to expect?
I' d much rather be in the tree than on the ground during gun season. Just get out there really early and leave a little later. Also, WHERE ALL ORANGE!!!!!!!! When it' s dark out, carry a flashlight. Wave that thing around like your swatting bees!!!
J
J
10-10-2003, 02:02 PM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Too close to Chicago
Posts: 3,337
RE: Deer,shotgun, what to expect?
I wish I could get in early!
The place doesn' t hold the lottery for parking areas until 5:00am.
Barely enough time to get set up before shooting time.
The place doesn' t hold the lottery for parking areas until 5:00am.
Barely enough time to get set up before shooting time.
10-12-2003, 10:51 AM
#4
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Darien, IL
Posts: 6,744
RE: Deer,shotgun, what to expect?
If the lottery is at 5:00, you' d better be 100% ready to go. If your number gets pulled, get your paper and POOF you' re gone!
Starved Rock ain' t far from you so make some trips and SCOUT IT OUT! Have a couple of game plans ready (but make sure the game plans don' t even slightly resemble the Bears game plans! LOL). There are alot of deer there. Reflective tacks are great for situations like these. But don' t put them on the " front" of the trees-everyone with a light will see them while walking in, probobly following them and ending up..........right there with you. Put them on the " back" side of trees, where you can walk into the woods a bit, look back and line up the dots showing you the travel direction. I don' t know anyone who looks back over their shoulder going into the woods in the morning. Then the reflective tacks can guide you right out after dark sets in.
Getting in even a little before the others might just have the others pushing deer towards you.
REMEMBER! You are on public land and that means sharing. There will be other hunters out there-for sure. POSITIVELY IDENTIFY YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS AROUND AND BEHIND IT.
For walking in and out in the darkness use plenty of bright lights with fresh and extra batteries. I just picked up a couple of these new type of lights with the LEDs at Sports Authority. These are really neat and bright little lights that are kinda like a carabeener. They fuction in five modes. ON-bright, ON-medium, ON-low, BRIGHT FLASH-slow & BRIGHT FLASH-fast. I think having it clipped on my hat and fast flashing will let others know I' m there. On public land the best you can do to keep others out of " your spot" is let them know (see) you from as far away as possible so they can go find " their own spot" .
I see you are a neighbor of mine over in Plainfield. If you might be looking for someone to scout with let me know, I' m always intrested in new places outdoors.
Uncle Matt (in IL)
Starved Rock ain' t far from you so make some trips and SCOUT IT OUT! Have a couple of game plans ready (but make sure the game plans don' t even slightly resemble the Bears game plans! LOL). There are alot of deer there. Reflective tacks are great for situations like these. But don' t put them on the " front" of the trees-everyone with a light will see them while walking in, probobly following them and ending up..........right there with you. Put them on the " back" side of trees, where you can walk into the woods a bit, look back and line up the dots showing you the travel direction. I don' t know anyone who looks back over their shoulder going into the woods in the morning. Then the reflective tacks can guide you right out after dark sets in.
Getting in even a little before the others might just have the others pushing deer towards you.
REMEMBER! You are on public land and that means sharing. There will be other hunters out there-for sure. POSITIVELY IDENTIFY YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS AROUND AND BEHIND IT.
For walking in and out in the darkness use plenty of bright lights with fresh and extra batteries. I just picked up a couple of these new type of lights with the LEDs at Sports Authority. These are really neat and bright little lights that are kinda like a carabeener. They fuction in five modes. ON-bright, ON-medium, ON-low, BRIGHT FLASH-slow & BRIGHT FLASH-fast. I think having it clipped on my hat and fast flashing will let others know I' m there. On public land the best you can do to keep others out of " your spot" is let them know (see) you from as far away as possible so they can go find " their own spot" .
I see you are a neighbor of mine over in Plainfield. If you might be looking for someone to scout with let me know, I' m always intrested in new places outdoors.
Uncle Matt (in IL)
10-13-2003, 08:18 AM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Too close to Chicago
Posts: 3,337
RE: Deer,shotgun, what to expect?
I' ve scouted several areas out there very thoroughly, and found several good spots along with quiet routes in for the morning and the flattest routes out to drag a deer. I' ve been bowhunting for several years on public land and got my routine down for all the regular stuff (including dealing with idiots 
. Just looking for advice on how a day shotgun hunting will differ from my normal quiet day bowhunting.
OK, Matt. I' ll keep you in mind.
My other hunting buddies and I are forever having conflicting family comitments and can rarely get together. Where do you normally hunt.
. Just looking for advice on how a day shotgun hunting will differ from my normal quiet day bowhunting.OK, Matt. I' ll keep you in mind.
My other hunting buddies and I are forever having conflicting family comitments and can rarely get together. Where do you normally hunt.
10-13-2003, 09:12 AM
#6
Dominant Buck
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Ramsey , Indiana
Posts: 22,545
RE: Deer,shotgun, what to expect?
Bulzeye ,
if possible get to the general area the night before and camp near your hunting spot . You won' t get to park nearby , but you' ll already be in a prime spot when the others are starting for theirs . You can check in first if needed , then walk to your stand while the rest are parking .
if possible get to the general area the night before and camp near your hunting spot . You won' t get to park nearby , but you' ll already be in a prime spot when the others are starting for theirs . You can check in first if needed , then walk to your stand while the rest are parking .
