Illinois Chain-O-Lakes SP & a hunter named Brandon

[Jeremy Holden]

I hope this post finds this gentleman...

Yesterday I hunted the above mentioned Illinois State Park. It's a rather large park with lots of room to roam. However it's one of the only "first come, first serve" areas in the NE part of Illinois. The other state land is permit driven. Therefor this piece receives quite a few visitors.

So yesterday afternoon I work my way into a little spot that I've hunted before. I have yet to kill a deer in here but I keep getting closer with every season. So I'm set up and all ready for a sit. I watched a deer slink through the woods where I had walked in and didn't think anything of it. A little while later I see another deer (I later realize it was the same one) come running out of the area I walked through.

At the advice of a friend I decide to get down and move closer to where I saw the deer movement. I get down, gather my equipment, and make my way over to what I think will be the better spot. As I'm setting up I notice another hunter sneaking thru the woods heading in my direction. I wave my arms and whistle until he sees me. He waves back, turns, and leaves.

The hunt concludes, no deer. However I had a dandy buck headed my way but he moved downwind of me and I was busted. So I get back to my truck and put my gear away. As I'm leaving I see a note on my windshield. It read "So sorry I ruined your hunt. Thats a great spot. -Brandon". I thought how cool is that?! The other hunter took the time to leave a note and apologize. It was completely unnecessary as it's public land and he could've set up 5 yards from me and I can't do a thing about it. But I thought it was a stand up thing to do regardless.

It gets better... when hunting there you have to wear a back patch. So on your way out you turn that back patch in. Brandon was waiting for me to exit. He came over and apologized again! Again I was able to tell him how it's okay, it's public, thanks for turning around, etc. Than I see he's wearing a Tethrd Mantis! So that prompts another discussion as I hunt the same equipment.

Anyway, Brandon, if you see this shoot me a text. I'll make sure I'm not in "our spot" and you get a crack at that buck.

-Jeremy Holden
847-542-0283

 

[sconnieman]

Cool story. I used to live right by that place. Is there deer in there to hunt?


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[Jeremy Holden]

There's deer for sure. In fact the other day when I was there a hunter was checking in his third deer. From what I understand there aren't as many as before due to the state baiting/shooting after the season. But, it's a place to hunt, has deer and turkey, and is close to home. So I don't always see deer but I go when I can.

 

[Bama_Xander]

That is super encouraging!

Unfortunately I had the opposite happen on my last hunt. I was in my tree and a guy came through at 3:30 in the afternoon bumbling through the woods. I tried to wave him off but he just kept coming. He stopped at the bottom of my tree and I was like, "What are you doing?" he replied with, "I'm going right over there" and pointed. He set up probably 100-150 yds away from me. He then came back through 10 min before legal shooting light ended around 5:00. He had a janky old bolt frame style climber so he obviously was not as nice as a saddle hunter

I was very frustrated considering I have not hunted several spots this year because I saw trucks parked at access. I understand that what he did was legal on public, but it was not courteous. It's good to know there are some respectful hunters still out there. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Tjraley2]

Man, great story! I hope Brandon is on this forum and responds.

 

[Jeremy Holden]

That is super encouraging!

Unfortunately I had the opposite happen on my last hunt. I was in my tree and a guy came through at 3:30 in the afternoon bumbling through the woods. I tried to wave him off but he just kept coming. He stopped at the bottom of my tree and I was like, "What are you doing?" he replied with, "I'm going right over there" and pointed. He set up probably 100-150 yds away from me. He then came back through 10 min before legal shooting light ended around 5:00. He had a janky old bolt frame style climber so he obviously was not as nice as a saddle hunter

I was very frustrated considering I have not hunted several spots this year because I saw trucks parked at access. I understand that what he did was legal on public, but it was not courteous. It's good to know there are some respectful hunters still out there. Thanks for sharing!

I've had similar encounters as well. I just pray I shoot a deer while they're watching, lol. I guess we have the option to be the change or be mad. I choose to be the change. As easy as set up is with a mantis I'm half inclined to move if someone set up near me. Just shimmy down and move one.

-Jeremy

 

[jerry_d]

Have you hunted the chain this year? I am a new hunter and have gone there a couple of times (I missed all the permit deadlines).

I've chatted with a few people in the lot post hunt -- everyone seems friendly and has shared tips.

I have noticed I rarely see deer there -- only once -- so I figure either I or others must be doing some serious spooking.

I've heard there can be better luck after the 26 at Oak Point (across the fox).

I've been hunting area 3.

thx!

 

[Jeremy Holden]

Hey Jerry, I've hunted there three times this year. Two sits I saw deer but not close enough to shoot at. After the first week, week and a half, it gets more tough for sure. Most the bucks get shot early and after that the dogs on the weekends and shotgun season put a hurting on any sort of pattern you may have figured out. When I scouted this year I found 5 cameras up. I've never found one, this year five. So I imagine more pressure this year. I was going to try tomorrow afternoon maybe and see what happens. I've heard along the river is a good spot to see some deer as well as the far end of the park down by the boat launch. Pretty sure the deer hide in the marshy areas along the river during the day. There's no way to sneak through that stuff carefully and not a lot trees. Not sure if that helps or not. If I go I drive a gray Toyota Tacoma with a topper on it. Feel free to text me, 847-542-0283.

If it's any consolation I've hunted there since 2004 and haven't killed a deer yet. My shot opportunities have been few and I haven't made good on them. But the shots I had were on some very nice looking bucks.

Regarding across the river, I've never hunted that side either. From what I've heard it can be hard walking so if you go be prepared.

-Jeremy

 

[jerry_d]

Hey Jerry, I've hunted there three times this year. Two sits I saw deer but not close enough to shoot at. After the first week, week and a half, it gets more tough for sure. Most the bucks get shot early and after that the dogs on the weekends and shotgun season put a hurting on any sort of pattern you may have figured out. When I scouted this year I found 5 cameras up. I've never found one, this year five. So I imagine more pressure this year. I was going to try tomorrow afternoon maybe and see what happens. I've heard along the river is a good spot to see some deer as well as the far end of the park down by the boat launch. Pretty sure the deer hide in the marshy areas along the river during the day. There's no way to sneak through that stuff carefully and not a lot trees. Not sure if that helps or not. If I go I drive a gray Toyota Tacoma with a topper on it. Feel free to text me, 847-542-0283.

If it's any consolation I've hunted there since 2004 and haven't killed a deer yet. My shot opportunities have been few and I haven't made good on them. But the shots I had were on some very nice looking bucks.

Regarding across the river, I've never hunted that side either. From what I've heard it can be hard walking so if you go be prepared.

-Jeremy

I will text -- probably going next Monday -- I was thinking going by the river -- I had heard a few bucks were gotten there (down by area 13), but my basic preseason scouting was up by the horse trails -- and I wanted to check out the ag field near wilmot road (the one off James road).

after one hunt a few weeks ago, I came back to my car after a morning sit and ran into a guy who had walked in a few minutes before me. He was friendly and showed me his hunting app -- he had set up only about 100 yards from me (over a ridge) and had seen 4 deer (he took a shot and missed).

Thanks for sharing your info btw!!

PS -- what dogs?? for the Pheasant hunts? I did go this Monday and did see a lot of "crap" on the horse trails when I walked in.

PSS -- curious to where you saw the cameras...(https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/hunting/FactSheets/Documents/ChainOLakesHunterMapArcheryUpland.pdf) do you mind sharing?

 

[Jeremy Holden]

So the chain is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday for pheasant hunting. Unfortunately we can't shoot the left overs. I've had 3 very healthy roosters walk under me this year.

Anyway, yes dogs. So that really changes things. I often feel going Wednesday or Thursday is a better option. I feel like they get a break from all that activity. I tried to mark up that map, we'll see if I get it right or not. I didn't mark one camera I found. Whoever had that camera out caught me taking a leak! Oh well, it's public land right?!

-Jeremy

 

[jakhammer]

You guys are in my neck of the woods - I live in McHenry

 

[jerry_d]

thx Jeremy! I know this area well -- it is what I call area 3 -- I have run into people coming from the west end there.

I sent you some texts on the other stuff. thanks again!

I got a paper from the park -- I think they say the last day is the 14th and 15th -- then it goes to Oak Point.

 

[jerry_d]

jakhammer -- have u hunted McHenry county parks? I hear it is good!

 

[jakhammer]

jakhammer -- have u hunted McHenry county parks? I hear it is good!

No, I own Porters Hunt Club, and lease a lot of ground for my Goose Hunting club in Lake and Mchenry counties, so I only hunt private. I have friends that have shot some good deer there though

 

[jerry_d]

I'm over in "Wauconda Forever" right next door.

 

[Jeremy Holden]

Well shoot, I live in Round Lake. We're all closer than we think. Jakhammer, I have neighbor you may know. Mauro Tomassetti lives across from me now. He's a big duck hunter and I think he may have mentioned your club to me.

 

[jakhammer]

Well shoot, I live in Round Lake. We're all closer than we think. Jakhammer, I have neighbor you may know. Mauro Tomassetti lives across from me now. He's a big duck hunter and I think he may have mentioned your club to me.

Ya Mauro and I go way back...small world