Gentlemen -

I'm going to Pike County for the gun season that runs from Nov. 29 - Dec. 2. This will be my first trip to the Midwest and I'm so excited that I can't concentrate on anything else.

If you have some experience there, especially for this time of year, I'd appreciate any tips you may have learned in the past. I'll be hunting with 2 or 3 other friends on 450 acres of a private farm lease (fair chase of course). We are all experienced hunters and looking for wall-hangers only. We will be staying in Pittsfield and hunting within just a few miles of Hadley Creek.

Any knowledge is appreciated.

Thanks!

All ya gotta do up there is get in the woods bud. Should be good hunting. I'll be up there next weekend. Take your calls and use em! You'll have a blast. Nothing like hunting the Midwest in November.

don't let anything walk on the first day you would shoot on the last

Don't sleep in on any morning! Much less one when there is a new snow on the ground! 😄

Good luck!

I just got back from up that way on Saturday, and the deer were all over the place. Bucks were starting to cruise for does with some light chasing going on. Good Luck.

During gun season if you want to eat at the Red Dome in Pittsfield, you better make reservations!!! Good luck and have fun!!! I would say its as close to Spring Break for hunters as you will ever get!!

Just don't put too much pressure on yourself. Have a good time, hunt smart, and good things will happen. I'm also in the boat of not letting one walk on day one that you wouldn't let walk on day 3.

Most of all just enjoy it!

Stay I the stand all day long!!! All it takes is 15 seconds!!

Stall all day. Use your grunt and horns to call. Take drink and food so you can stay all day. Dress warm. And above all else, those are not Alabama deer. They will get up and walk anytime during the day.....be ready.

Aim for the heart!

shoot straight

good luck man I hope you smoke a monster!

You said that right. They don't much care that your there this time of yr either. They're not 1/20th as skiddish as our deer.

Some good info here.

I was expecting to sit all day and I'm glad to know that the deer really do act like they do on the hunting shows as far as not being nervous and walking around all day.

I'm pumped about the prospect of calling and rattling. It's going to be much different than around here. I've had success over the years with doe estrous, so I'll definitely be using that.

I've always heard not to pass anything on day 1 that you would shoot on the last day, so I'll keep that in mind. I've killed Alabama deer in the 130s and 120s, so I'm really looking for a 140+ (who isn't, right?).

Also, I will DEFINITELY not be sleeping-in if it's snowing. That Iowa thread is funny! I would LOVE to hunt in the snow.

I have good quality clothes and I don't usually get cold, but sitting all day is different, especially late season Illinois, I would expect. I have one set of Under Armour Cold Gear and a few pair of Smart Wool hunting socks. I think I'll drop some $$$ on one more set of Cold Gear and some more SW socks.

What are some of your stories from Pike County? What did you see and kill? What are some of your favorite things about your past hunts there?

It should be post rutt when you are hunting up there. The size of the racks will be deceiving to you compared to our deer because the bodies are so freaking big. I had videoed a 150 class buck that was shadowing a doe for almost 20 minutes right under my tree and did not take the shot because I thought he was around 130. When I played the video for the outfitter he just looked and me and said I appreciate you letting that shooter walk, he will be a real stud next year.

The snort wheeze call was unbelievable up there too. If you have a doe or buck decoy, take and use it. You will have a hunt of a lifetime even if you dont take a buck a home. Enjoy.

Muzzie, I bet you were sick when you realized how big the deer was. I've seen guys on tv shoot Midwest bucks and I would think, "I'll be dang if I'd go to IL, IO, KS, etc. and shoot that 125 inch buck!" Then they get to the deer, I can really tell how much bigger the rack is than I first thought. I hope when he walks out, it will be one of those "no doubt" deer and not a border-line buck. I like measuring antlers after the kill, not while he's walking around.

Also, I know that I should be hunting the post-rut, but it was 68 degrees in Pike Co. two days ago. If it stays warm for a little while longer, I could hit it just right...

Headed up tomorrow and be there til the 21st.

I love Pike County!

Guiding of course not hunting.

I just got back from Pike this week. Deer starting to chase. I was able to take a big bodied 8 point that came on a string to my buck decoy. I think a decoy is even more effective than any type of call, rattle or scent.