Be proficient at calling deer. Use a buck decoy and face the buck toward you. Crash antlers together at daylight and watch out. During the rut, sit all day if possible. I shot a buck at noon during the rut. I like the fields in the evenings and woods, funnels etc... for the morning and midday hunts.
Be careful not to get overly excited or set your expectations too high. It's still hunting. IL is an awesome place to bow hunt the rut however, there are several outfitters/land that is over-hunted and and too many 2.5 yr old bucks are killed. If you're hunting with a guide/outfitter, I hope you checked the outfitter out as there are many up there that run way too many hunters through their property and you're just a piece of meat with a dollar sign attached to you!
Good luck. Do try to hunt all day.
