Just arrived to Illinois today, hunt supposed to start tomorrow, but they have already let some of us get in the stand. I'm on treeline, over clover plot, and 150 yards from creek. Doesn't get any better and wind perfect.



This is my 3rd year hunting with Illinois Connection http://www.illinoisbowhunting.com. Very large camps, but the lodge is 4 star with queen beds, 4 to room optional private rooms, great food, 2 clean rooms, 2 bars, and Doug has close to 1,000 stands.

Here is video of my 2012 hunt.

beautiful setup...i bet the view is awesome...not to mention the anticipation of the bruiser stepping out...good luck rob

Great view, good luck on the hunt.

looking good.

Good luck!

Satellite view of tonight's spot. Satellite looks like big field is flooded. Just a little puddle of water left now. This clover is healthy.

Haven't seen any deer yet, which is unusual, I usually see 10-20 a day here.

Good luck bud!

Looks great!!! Good luck!!!

Just saw 1 doe.

I'm 1 hour into a 12 hour sit and haven't seen anything yet, but this is a heavily wooded ridge where if I do see something it could be good. Top pin is the food plot I hunted last night. I have this 300 acre farm to myself so far.

Last night guy shot a "150". Talk about ground shrinkage when they recovered. Most farms are 130 minimum, but he was on a 150 minimum farm and penaltys are double. Doug isn't like many of the Illinois outfitters who bank of making more money on penalty bucks. He gives benefit of doubt counts broken tines etc, I have seen him measure out a 120 to 130 so I guy wouldn't have to pay.

Dang, IME, it usually goes the other way up north.

Good luck!!! Looks like some great country.

6 hours down, 6 to go. Haven't seen a single deer except ones we busted driving in. Bunch of turkeys and coons. This is my view. Pretty thick.

The key to seat time is the seat! . I have never had issue of too much padding as long as you can move around and not make noise.

12 hours in the tree and didn't see a single deer. It was a hero or zero type place though. Some good signs the rut is kicking off. Just last couple days some checking and trailing. Also some deer are starting to hit the dirt. So far I heard 1 this morning and 2 this evening. nothing huge yet.

keep at it. I'm stuck in my dorm room at SFA! lol

Hang in there and best of luck!

1 hour down, 11 to go. Already seen 5 more deer than yesterday! Spike circled around little field I'm in and flushed doe behind me. 3 does seen in big field way off to South. Still same property has precious two days, but opposite corner. I'm only one on this property. Guide scouted this field last night and saw two shooters, trick is getting them 50 yards, but camp reports they are coming to rattling and grunts hard.

Seeing a bunch of deer, only one real buck. Good mass and outside ears (15-16"), but no beams or much for tines. Doug would probably measure him out not to be penalty, but my personal minimums 140.

Nice young 8 that came in range.

The river of deer has slowed down last 30 minutes, I'm glad, I needed a break from the action!

Here are the two 130 class bucks stuck last night.

Nice looking deer. How much longer you have up there?

Hunt through Wednesday.

Guide just sent me pic of a nice one brought to camp this morning.

Only 2 does since the morning rush, should get busy again here soon.