Illinois nonresident deer hunting

[BUCKSLAYER62]

I need some help or I am going to have to eat my non-resident tag. I have until the end of archery season to tag a buck in Illinois. I need to know if anyone knows the best non resident public land. I have looked at Siloam State Park. Can anyone give me some feedback? The clock is ticking. I want to tag a 130 or better.

[WCDH]

That's why they call it Hunting.

It's not about filling tags.

Use it on a doe.

[BUCKSLAYER62]

Thanks for your help.

[Marc Anthony]

Siloam Springs is awesome but you better call the DNR regarding out of state hunting. I know a portion of it is resident only (that may be the Buckhorn part of it) but nevertheless, you better check to make sure!

Weinberg/King state park is also a good one. It runs through both Schuyler and Hancock counties and is smack dab in the middle of west central IL. It's not very well known but if offers about 750 acres.

Good luck!

[Stickman]

Try the Ray Norbid in Pike County it was a real winner to me.

[Woods Walker]

I want to tag a 130 or better.

Then go to a game farm and pick one out of the "lobster tank". It'll save you time, aggravation, and money in the long run, and you'll get to select one "by the numbers".

As far as I know, Illinois doesn't rate it's public hunting areas with a numerical score of deer.

[EatDeer]

ORIGINAL: Woods Walker

I want to tag a 130 or better.

Then go to a game farm and pick one out of the "lobster tank". It'll save you time, aggravation, and money in the long run, and you'll get to select one "by the numbers".

As far as I know, Illinois doesn't rate it's public hunting areas with a numerical score of deer.

I have to disagree, 750 acres is not near the amount of range some rutting whitetail bucks cover in search of estrus doe's.  

The Boone and Crocket club lists the location of every record book buck killed in IL. , with a map marker.  Hunt within 5,000 acres of one of these areas, and wait out a 130" class whitetail.  Just because you don't see them, dosen't mean they aren't or won't be there sooner or later.  

Sure the pressure may be high, but if you put in the time, it's been proven that even on public lands in IL., you can kill the buck of a life time.

Even if it's just a three year-old  deer with 130" rack.  I'd say 130' inches a perfect goal for most of this state's lands, no matter where you are hunting.  

[Woods Walker]

My point was that this hunter sounds like he wants a guarantee for his paying out of state fees, like it's a done deal. It's hunting. The deer are what they are, and where they are. There are no guarantees that you will even have a shot at one, no less a demand for "I want one with a certain size antler minimum".

If that's what you seek, then go to a pay to shoot place.

[JFry1969]

I agree WW. If you come to Ill or any other state expecting a gaurantee that you are going to leave with a "130 or better" deer, then you should go to a pay to hunt farm. Otherwise, there is no gaurantees what you will have walk by and if your not going to be happy with anything else then your missing out on what deer hunting really is.

[bowhuntr15]

Bud, my answer IS very late, but here is my imput for whatever it's worth.   First, I hope you accomplished your goal.  The way you stated your request/goal is open to answers like WW's.  A 130" class?????  Man, short of telling you to go to a paid gig, here is my answer.  There are NO guarantees..., NONE!!!!!  Public lands (not all) hold some great animals.  I can give you a suggestion, but will you score that 130 goal?  Here is my sincere suggestion, just hunt.  Hunt and enjoy the beauty of connecting with nature, the pursuit, the challenge, the cold, the wind.  I bowhunt ONLY.  I kill turkeys, pigs, coyotes, squirrels, and deer..., all public lands - never a guarantee.  This year, I tagged out, again.  I was holding out for a big buck I'd been having great encounters with, just never got close enough.  I used my "either sex" tag on Dec. 22nd on a 110" class, beautiful buck.  I made the decision to take him because he HAD A BROKEN LEG, flopping all over.  Just hunt.  I've eaten "either sex" tags before - holding out for the ONE.  I've used it on a doe.  My respects to you, your goals, and at the end of the day..., whatever works for you.  Placing importance on a number may lead to disappointment, especially when you are paying out of state fees.  I hunt Illinois on a great, highly pressured, and fun piece of PUBLIC LAND.  I am a proud non-resident hunter, like you.