Illinois deer drawing
- Thread starter Dave N
- Start date
Nick87
Well-known member
I can't remember the last time I put in the draw Dave they print so many tags now I just go buy em the week before season.
Back when they actually cared about our deer heard it was a big deal to get into the 1st lottery.
Back when they actually cared about our deer heard it was a big deal to get into the 1st lottery.
I put in so I know that I have the best chance. One year I was given a 2nd season only permit and around here that sucks.
Nick87
Well-known member
I hear ya just griping that's all. I remember back in the day only drawing 2nd season in the 1st lottery long before otc tags.
DouglasR
Well-known member
Drew the shotgun combo tag I put in for.
Both seasons.
We’ll see what the pressure’s like
Both seasons.
We’ll see what the pressure’s like
DouglasR
Well-known member
It’s a piece of public land you can hunt with a county wide tag so it might be a chit showDrew the shotgun combo tag I put in for.
Both seasons.
We’ll see what the pressure’s like
SFC B
Well-known member
I will be hunting at Lake Shelbyville again this year in first shotgun. I'll be carrying my son's 44mag Handi Rifle and holding out for a good deer. I will have 3 tags in IN just prior to that.
SFC B
Well-known member
I'll be there Thursday to Sunday evening if any of you will be anywhere around Sullivan/LS
I get landowner tags so not much excitement surrounding that but I did put in and received a muzzleloader tag this year. I haven't put in for that tag since around 2000, grew frustrated with my muzzleloader back then and stopped applying. I got a wild hair and bought a new muzzleloader this spring and going to give it a shot again.
Zim
Well-known member
I drew my first choice for both full season firearm & muzzleloader. Turned up a hidden gem of a public property as a result of annual January scouting. Included five new properties this year. Four were bad to so-so. But hit a home run on #5, then to my relief, drew the gun tag for it. Used my toy boat to check some of these out. Also last December was the first time I located a late season big buck refuge on public. Previously all the public I’ve hunted has been devoid of bucks by late season. No more. Seen no less than four 130”+ last day of my 2022 season 12/18. Had to use my boat, & break ice, but that’s why they were there. 95% of my hunting has always been archery, but decided I need to get serious about the 7-10 IL firearm days available.
I’m so curious about this gun hunt I keep forgetting I got WY elk & NM mule deer hunts to get through first.
I’m so curious about this gun hunt I keep forgetting I got WY elk & NM mule deer hunts to get through first.
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Zim
Well-known member
BTW - Was fortunate to buy the last LL sold by Illinois in August 2006. Didn’t need it for 13 years but after moving to NW Indiana in 2019 so glad I made the $190 investment. IN public is brutal. 16 day peak rut gun season, 32 total gun days, full crossgun inclusion, no limit on NR’s, no gun hunter quota on public = exploited herd & poor buck quality 
……..No Thanks!
……..No Thanks!
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Very nice! What is the make of your boat? I had a 17 .5 Triton duck boat with 25 hp tiller but sold it because the lakes I cross can get deep and rough. I have Purchased a 20ft Seaark cc that makes me feel really safe but I do miss a smaller boat sometimes. My hand always got frost bit feeling with a tiller.
Nick87
Well-known member
You wanna sell the sea ark?
No the Seaark is very sturdy and can take rough waters! Thanks for asking….
Zim
Well-known member
Zim
Well-known member
I bought it used on FB Marketplace $500. Then paired with a very dependable used 6 HP Mercury kicker motor from a local dealer $900. Obviously I only use it on small bodies of water, but I mostly just hunt Illinois public land backwaters, marshes, shallow feeder streams. I often get out and walk it through some spots. I’ve found that gets rid of my competition.
BTW-I saw way more of these for sale in Boat Trader than FB Marketplace. Like 50 to 2. But the closest seller to me was on FB in Grand Rapids.
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Zim
Well-known member
Well I’m learning as I go. Had the boat four years. I’ve figured out all water access is not created equal. Many are as easily accessed as a highway. And all the locals got boats. It takes the right combination to get away from the crowd.I can see your a thinking man…..I I like it!
Thought Sanganois F&W would be good across the Illinois River. Wrong. Found treestands everywhere.
