...from my ground blind where I sat this year (2015) in the first-ever public hunt allowed in the Illinois Beach State Park area. Entries were accepted by mail and names drawn at random. Each winning hunter was awarded a 7 day period in which to hunt from Nov 1st 2015 through January 13th, 2016. There were two hunting areas designated; North and South (both units north of the now-closed Zion nuke plant). They only awarded five tags per unit (ten total) per 7 day period. I never saw another hunter the entire week either in the field or even in the parking area.
Rules were; no more than two buck harvests allowed (with proper tags) and unlimited does/antlerless or fawns, with proper tags. Tree stands had to be at least 6 feet in height and could not be set up pre-hunt. I chose to hunt from a self-constructed (brush) blind. No still-hunting or stalking allowed. Hunting hours were from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
It was truly an enjoyable hunt, even though I came home empty each night I got off three shots, saw in excess of 15 deer and had several at spitting distance. The weather was simply spectacular. I drew a first week, north area tag.
A few pix of the area (also posted over in the Campfire section with a complete rundown of the hunt)
View from my blind right before the 'Witching Hour':
My shooting lane:
The view straight ahead:
View of the 'back door'...where the thick brush is:
Goodbye, old friend, it's been a slice!
A few pix....
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Post photography or video questions and advice only.
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A few pix....
Aim small, miss small!
Re: A few pix....
Cool, being out there and away from the daily grind does something good for us mentally.
Re: A few pix....
Nice . Thanks for sharing .
"Maybe the truly handicapped people are the ones that don't need God as much." ~ Joni Eareckson Tada
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- Site Admin
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Re: A few pix....
My pleasure.
I am thankful for the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Illinois Beach State Park (IBSP) for teaming up to allow this hunt to happen!
I am thankful for the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Illinois Beach State Park (IBSP) for teaming up to allow this hunt to happen!
Aim small, miss small!