Illinois season

acduckhunt1382 · guest Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 51 Location: IL

Well its almost here, season opens up on saturday!!!!

Any one else headin out?? Ill be hunting sangchris intil the birds get here. Good Luck!!!

hntnmn23 · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 2:29 pm Post subject:

I cant wait, almost here. Ill be out for sure saturday morning. This recent rain has really messed up our spot. It wont matter though, a day in the blind beats a day at the office.

jake urich · guest Joined: 25 Feb 2008 Posts: 68 Location: Illinois

We've been pounding them in the northern zone

hntnmn23 · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 7:16 pm Post subject:

I know that there are def. geese in the area up north, wish I had my stuff up here this week. Going to hunt the central opener then maybe find a field north the following week.

acduckhunt1382 · guest Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 51 Location: IL

I work at a golf course in springfield and man have the ducks and geese have been pileing in to lake springfieldfor the last week . Ive been watching a hundread or so birds every morning land into the small pond at the course. should be a good opener around these parts.

hntnmn23 · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 4:21 am Post subject:

we had a ton of geese and a few ducks in our hole last weekend but the are we hunt flooded with all that rain at the end of last week. May end up in a different spot not sure how the ducks are in that area, havent scouted their yet. Should be a good opening weekend for most with the amount of birds down this early.

Kelly Hannan · guest Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1240

We still seem birdless around my area. A few residents, but no definate pattern. Here today gone tomorrow. Don't know what I am doing this weekend, maybe stay home.

hntnmn23 · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:04 am Post subject:

Im surprised you arent seeing any birds Kelly. I work like 60 miles north of you and there are a lot of birds that have been here and passed. We emptied out last week for a few days and filled back up over the weekend.

Kelly Hannan · guest Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1240

I don't really get a chance to just drive around looking, but I'm not seeing them in the mornings on my way to work.

I went north on I-57 Sat early afternnon, on the east side of 57 in northern Will County there was a large flooded Bean field. There was between 1500-2000 Geese in there. That would be a blast hunting there.

I have an standing invitation to go hunt either the Fox River area, or over by Moline with a friend from Goose Hunting Chat. It is a long drive for me, but I may end up doing that. I might just wait another week or 2 and see what happens. I have all winter, and I'm really busy with work and at home.

medic427 · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:46 pm Post subject:

I'm having the same issues my buddies got a plot of land with corn and soy beans palnted on it and a river running through it. And we still haven't gotten a whole lot of action just one or two here and there

hntnmn23 · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:28 am Post subject:

[/quote]I might just wait another week or 2 and see what happens. I have all winter, and I'm really busy with work and at home.[/quote]

That is very true. Its a long season but its been a looong time. I dont have many expectations this weekend, hunting a new spot opening day. We will see what happens. They will be here shortly, no worries there.

Kelly Hannan · guest Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1240

good Luck to everyone, hunt safe and post results.

Cudda25 · guest Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Posts: 59

don't get your hopes up for a central opener. if your huntin the fields you'll prolly do ok but you gotta find a field thats cut! second hunting the river might not be good because everything flooded. all the duck club feed is under water. their expectin the river to get around 18ft. i've heard through the grape vein that there are still plenty of birds that should be pushin this way but i think all the early birds have jumped on the freight train outta here--good luck

acduckhunt1382 · guest Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 51 Location: IL

Went out scouting today and all the birds were using sheet water. That sucks cause the field I hunt isn't cut yet. Damn rain!!!

But i did drive around the lakes in the area and there are some birds around these parts. Alot more around the safe haven lake springfield. Good luck ill post some pics if we get'em!!

hntnmn23 · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 4:00 pm Post subject:

Good luck all....Shoot'em up

Kelly Hannan · guest Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1240

Everything is flooded here. I think I'm going North to hunt with NHarold.

I did see a flock of about 25 today, saw them twice. I thought they had all moved out

hntnmn23 · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 2:19 pm Post subject:

We hunted both saturday and today, total of 5 birds for our group. Real slow. Saw quite a few birds for an opening weekend but not much working low. The water really hurt us. We got 4 teal and a woodduck. Can't wait til next weekend.

acduckhunt1382 · guest Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 51 Location: IL

hunted bot Sat and Sun and didnt even fire my gun! The river is out of its banks and plenty of water every where. Gonna try a new spot tomorrow. Hope it turns out better and the cold snap up north pushes them down

Kelly Hannan · guest Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1240

went over to west illinois with Nharold and his wife. We got 2 Woodduck Sat. I shot 2 Geese today. Saw a bunch more

Cudda25 · guest Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Posts: 59

we huntin yesterday in some flooded winter wheet right next to flooded timber from the river. set up about 13 big feet 8 goose floaters and about 20 ducks...worked in 9 geese killed got 3 cripple ran off into the woods and couldnt find it and another cripple we sailed over to some people that were hutnin behind us...absolutely amazing went right into the decoys and it was beautiful..should ahad some mallards and teal and some woodducks too but still laarnin on callin shots

Preds21 · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:39 pm Post subject:

hntmn23 just out of curiosity what city or town u hunting in NO IL i am originally from there and hunted the sugar grove area on private land. missin out this yr cuz livin in NO Tx and it is very expensive to even breath down here... lol... hoping to be back to my corn fields of No IL by next season

hntnmn23 · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:22 am Post subject:

Sent ya a PM. Yep bet you cant wait to be back to here for some hunting, cant beat hometown hunting.

Kelly Hannan · guest Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1240

hope this weather holds. the corn is getting picked. hope the birds show now.

I would like to be out there right now, but I have to work

hntnmn23 · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:56 am Post subject:

I noticed that on my way home last night. I figured after all that rain it would be atleast wednesday before they started harvesting. The pond across from the building I work at normally holds a few geese but is absolutely filled with ducks and geese. Im with you Kelly wish I didnt have to work Hope everything holds up for the weekend, maybe put the hurtin on a few more ducks.

Kelly Hannan · guest Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1240

the weatherman just said rain or light snow tonight. GIVE ME A BREAK

hntnmn23 · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 7:09 am Post subject:

yep looks like rain tonight and tmw but after that its gonna clear up pretty much. Looks like its going to warm up also. Why cant it just get cold!

Kelly Hannan · guest Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1240

if it warms up it will dry up and then the crops will disappear.

everybody is picking corn today

acduckhunt1382 · guest Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 51 Location: IL

No doubt! Whats this 35 degree mornings and 60 degree afternoons. We hunted the river yesterday and hammered the birds. Hunted a bean field and we had 6 woodies and 4 teal by 7AM and killed 8 mallards and 5 geese by 10AM between 3 guys. The river is loaded with birds all over ecspically since they havent harvested yet. Anywhere around the central part of the state at least. I feel for you guys at work I got laid off last friday!

Kelly Hannan · guest Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1240

don't know what river your hunting, but the river by me is dead. I saw 2 mallards today, no Geese

hntnmn23 · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:23 pm Post subject:

Sucks you got laid off....but if it has to be done what a great time for it. Hope the best for you but atleast enjoy the season.

acduckhunt1382 · guest Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 51 Location: IL

Im hunting the sangamon river. Around the springfield area. With all the crops in its a heaven for waterfowl hunters. I get laid off every year around this time from the golf course and hunt alot but I do some cash jobs here and there to make it threw the winter and back to work after the winter. Its nice because of all the hunting I get to do but sometimes its tough with the $$$.

Kelly Hannan · guest Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1240

the river by me is all state park. hunting by blind, and you have to be selected to get a blind. it sucks.

hntnmn23 · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 6:32 pm Post subject:

well i guess if it is seasonal then you can kinda plan for it...still suxs but atleast you get to hunt a ton.

Kelly I did a draw in hunt on opening day on some public ground it was ok but its a little rough not knowing where your gonna end up.

Kelly Hannan · guest Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1240

these blinds here are a season draw. you throw your name in a bucket, and they draw 25. If you are the 25th name drawn you get blind #25. That is yours for the season. You are responsible for repairs, upkeep, brushing it in, etc. If you are not in or around(setting up) your blind, within 1/2 hour of shooting time, someone else can take your blind. If you show up and someone is there too bad. It's stupid. If I go to Braidwood or Hideicke Lakes, it's a daily drawing, 1 hour before shooting time. You must have a 16' x 60" boat or larger. It must have a blind on it, and you have to have at least 12 decoys. Quiting time is 1:00. THe Desplains River is season draw also, there are a few areas where you can anchor a boat and hunt.

No thanks I will wait for my fields. I have a friend in the Dekalb area, we are gonna hunt there until it gets good here, then he will come here.

hntnmn23 · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:27 am Post subject:

im glad i dont have to draw everyday....one good thing about private land

Kelly Hannan · guest Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1240

exactly, that's why I will just wait until my fields open up

hntnmn23 · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 6:59 am Post subject:

I wish I was out today, my brother is out and said that he is having quite a few working.

Kelly Hannan · guest Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1240

me too, hunting only on the weekends sucks

hntnmn23 · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:34 am Post subject:

I need my own business....skip a day or 2 here and there...all day business meetings

Kelly Hannan · guest Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1240

business meetings can take place in a blind,