All of you guys said 2nd week of Nov. Well it looks like were going to drive up Friday Night the 8th and hunt till Tuesday morning the 12th. Thats the best I can swing to fill the Buck tag I brought home to Bama. I want some cold but not too cold. With the short stay we are gonna camp out this trip. I am taking the boat back and hoping the water levels have not dropped too much. I had to push pole in a few spots last trip. Anyone got any word about the hunting up there lately?

I am over in Indiana and they are really out seeking right now.

I’m headed back to west Kentucky Friday thu Tuesday. Seeing some about bucks cruising.

Headed up the same day thru the 17th.

We started out doing the same trip as you boating on public over 20 years ago.

Good luck.

I will be going up there the week of the 10th with some buddies that went last year. They had a good trip last year, so I am excited for it. I do think the weather has changed a little that week, but still some time to change.

Too late for IL bow hunting IMHO. It is fun to watch the rutting activity, but often might as well be toting a damn slingshot. We eventually gave up on hunting in that window and started actually killing cruising bucks before the rut started on scrapes and or grunting/snort wheezing em to the tree. The last couple days of October and the first couple days of November as where its at with archery gear in IL.

I'm headed up Saturday for 10 days. Looks like 40s and 60s so far which is a welcome change from the last two years when we've had above average temperatures.

Jug hush yo mouth. That is what happened to us in Kansas last year. Was awesome to see all those big bucks till you realize you are helpless to get one to stop under your tree. The guys that he knows did well last year did so after the rut/gun hunt. We debated on Thanksgiving week but its all a gamble. I need to be home hunting thanksgiving. Nov 16-26 is prime where I hunt in Bankhead.

Juggy I think he’s hunting South Illinois, and it’s about a week behind where you have hunted 4 hours further North. His dates should be good for a chance to kill with them chasing a week after that.

There were fresh scrapes and rubs this past weekend

this

I don’t think there is a bad day in November, rutting bucks could come by really any day in November. I’ve hunted it from Nov 4 and as late as Nov 13th. Killed deer on Nov 5th and 13th as well as a few days sprinkled in between. I’ve seen hard rutting activity early and then zero deer later on and then vice versa. Cold fronts matter!

Also, for at least me, I hated hunting during full moons, I never saw many deer. My best luck was always with a new moon or 3 days after a full moon. Most bucks I saw was 21 during a 2 day period 5/6th. Last time I went, I killed a 10 on the 13th running to base of my tree looking for the doe he thought he heard. Saw 4 other bucks, including the biggest buck I’ve ever seen in my life, about 10 minutes before I shot him. All were chasing does, fighting, etc… If a hot doe come by you’ll be in for some fun rut action.

My buddy just got back from a weekend trip to southern Illinois, didn’t see any deer. Said he didn’t see any rubs or scrapes. Bet that all changes after this upcoming front passes through.

I'm headed to Greene County Indiana Friday. Usually the first week of November is best for me up that way. Looks like it is gonna rain Monday and Tuesday though.

Slippin you are correct First week of November is the best up here.

So Yall saying dont be scared to hit the grunt and Doe bleats HUH? Guess I will take the horns too, might as well go all out.

I wouldn't go to the tree without any of that up there at that time of the year.

^^^^^^^^^^ Bingo!

You never know what’s going to get there attention.

This. I rattled in 2 this past weekend in W KY

I saw a buck there last week working a doe like a cutting horse in someones front yard. Ive seen them chase but never seen that before. It was cool to see. Probably 130ish buck.

I take all that plus "THE CAN" .... when I go up North hunting....Those deer are very vocal up there....Heck I'll throw everything at em but the kitchen sink ...