Wanting to do a short out of state Public land hunt. Went to Southern Illinois last year the 1st 10 days of November saw 3 good bucks while hunting and people in the camp killed good deer. Wanting to go back but thinking about doing the last week of October instead of the first week of November because I am limited on time and can not do the first week of November

Any one ever been the last week of October and had success?

Also this is going to be a much shorter trip only going to be hunting 5 days instead of 10 my game plan now is to focus on areas I found last year and planning to pull some all day hunts

If you can’t go first week of November, I’d go second week of November over last week of October (if that is an option)

I agree. Last week of October is usually DEAD when I’ve been out there. You can luck up and kill a nice deer obviously, but odds won’t be in your favor.

I have never been but Im going this year. Im looking at 1st week of October, then if I dont tag going back Thanksgiving. Watching this thread closely. Matt what you think about those weeks?

I'd go the 2nd week of November.

Unfortunately my schedule is not going to allow for the 1st or second week of November. Next year will be different but this year I’m stuck with the last week of October

Depending on the way the weather and the moon plays out, use to Love Halloween till November 17th.

I killed a real nice buck in Illinois 10/4 one year. I hunted acorns between ag fields. I saw more deer that week than most of my rut hunts up there. Deer aren’t pressured and if you can get on a food source you’ll kill a deer.

Although I've seen young bucks chasing on November 1 in SE Illinois, the last week of October was always a tough hunt for us.
Given a good food source, I would much rather hunt the 1st week of October vs the last week.

I’ve always hunted the first 2 weeks of November. Killed all my deer up there btw the 4th and 11th. I don’t care what the weather is during that time frame. One of the biggest 8pts I’ve ever seen, bumping 150ish,’ was chasin a doe and I had sweat dripping off my nose. I’d rather it be cold but I’d be in a tree regardless. Nov 9th is my favorite day even though my biggest came on the 11th.

Jdhunter you may want to check the regs, you used to couldn’t bow hunt public during gun season if I remember correctly. 3 or 4 days before gun season on the public where I was at would get hammered with folks scouting. Didn’t make that mistake but once

Public land? I ONLY go during the rut. I feel like I'm wasting my time if I go any other time. Nov 5th-16th are my first choice days.

Yes public land

Pray for a really good cold front and you may catch a good one his feet. Otherwise I suggest as the others have stated 2nd week through early December will be better.

If last week of October is when you can go sounds like a pretty good week to me 😀

Based on many cell cams running over the last several years I would not hesitate to go that week. Probably won’t see chasing but the bucks are likely split up and marking territory.

That week can be really good or pretty much a waste of time. Weather, crops still in fields, moon, pressure so many variables but never know'

I think hunting a food source during that last week of October time frame can get you on a good buck also scouting and finding good sign. I went last week of October 2 yrs ago. I went back the 2nd week in November the same year and last year I went the 2nd week November again. So far that trip the last week in October has been my favorite.