Illinois Hunting Reports/Discussion
Anyone Hunting Ogle County
I have been out road scouting at dusk and early evening for deer now that the hunting seasons are over. So far it looks like next years deer hunting will be as bad as this year. I have only seen 4 or 5 deer in a nite after looking over a very wide area of the county. My Nite Owl has now gone thru over 8 batteries from use. I have covered most all of the county at least twice where I have seen deer in the past, from Creston clear to Brookville and Ashton to north of Leaf River. Where I used to see close to 30 deer in a nite, now it is down to 4 or 5 a nite. Not looking good for next years hunting.
I agree oldman IDNR has done some sharpshooter in selected areas in ogle county. I haven't killed a deer in 2 yrs. I'm afraid people are still in the "shoot a doe so the herd don't grow" mentality. I choose to let all doeswalk for now. To build somewhat a few deer in are area. It frustrates me they numbers been depleated to what they are now fromthe past 20 yrs
Yes hunting ground is getting hard to get. The one guy that leased the land next to mine said that the 4 of them was hunting in Winnebago county till this year. He said that it was costing them 3,000 apice just to hunt the first season of shotgun there. Thats why they bought the hunting rights next to my property. What is really sad is that where they leased, there is hardly any timber on it.
It is sad when land goes for the high money aspect. Thankfully that hasn't happened my way yet. I hardly heard much shooting during the gun seasons either. Opening day I was expecting it to be WWIII but that simply wasn't the case. Hopefully things will turn for the better next year etc.
I get a headacke when I see how much of the private owned hunting ground has been closed down, or has been leased out to people from other areas. The ground next to mine was closed, till this past year, and now has been bought by forgien investors. The farm manager leased out hunting rights, and some people from the city, an are paying big for it. I do not think that they even seen nor shot a deer.
I agree with you Oldman. Saw some very nice bucks this year bowhunting but never saw the usual numbers of does. Never ended up shooting a deer up here this year because of that reason. This year was more of a scout for years to come. Saw quite a few stud 3.5 year old bucks that will be beautiful in the next few years. Until the does start showing up more, it might be another scout year next year.
I have lived in an hunted Ogle County for over 50 years and never have seen a time as bad as this past year. The deer herd is about gone and people need to be more selective when hunting. I and my son both only shoot older bucks, and for several years have let all the others walk. The taking of unlimited does and small bucks has not helped the deer herd. I am affraid that as long as this happends, that we hunters will just be giving the DNR what I consider a DONATION.
