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ILLINOIS VS. IOWA?!?!?

Sligh1

Sligh1

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For those of you that have hunted both or have an opinion of both. Which would you rather hunt, which has bigger bucks on average and which do you think is all around better, etc, etc.??

I have hunted Schuyler and Fulton counties in IL, I have hunted lots of places in IA where I live. I saw some huge bucks in IL but there's no comparison for me, I would hunt IA 10 times quicker. I don't even think I'd go back to Illinois. Obviously much has to do with the neighborhood with either states but on average my OPINION is IA puts IL to shame, not to mention leasing, commercializatio and land prices in IL. I think bucks in the book isn't as revealing as you'd think either.

I even think I'd go back to my spot in KS much faster than IL. What's your take/opinion?
 
i think each state offers different opportunities.

id love to hunt IL on a regular basis, or Kansas the same.

i live here in Iowa so im biased!
id take Iowa any day, but i love to travel and hunt!!
 
I have hunted all three and if you can get a private land hunt in a good area they are all about equal. Northern Missouri can be good too... I have had some good bowhunting there. The key is getting a private land hunt on quality ground. I really do believe that the better areas in IL are getting over commercialized and over hunted. Same is true for parts of Iowa and Kansas, but to a lesser extent. One of the most fun hunts I had was in far SW Kansas a few years ago. I bowhunted there among the sagebrush in areas you would never think a whitetail would live, but I saw some great deer and it was in the 60's and 70's during the day even during mid-november. The deer were still on the move because they were used to the warm temps. The nice weather made it easy to sit in the tree for long stretches.

I love south-central and south-east Iowa too. I know a lot of good spots, and that adds to the attraction. Can't wait to draw an Iowa bow tag again. I will hunt Kansas this year and I always have a backup plan in case I fill out early. Last year it was northern Missouri. This year it is western Nebraska. Looking forward to this upcoming season and Illinois is no longer on my list of go-to places.
 
I have also noticed that after hunting some areas (in all states) have been transformed in a 5 year period. Everything from leasing to all of the sudden, a vehicle parked at every property entrance and treestands hung all over. I have seen areas go from "hardly hunted" to pressure that's unreal in 5 years! Illinois was like this, though I still would hunt IA anytime compared to Illinois 5-10 years ago before it was crazy.
Good to see some people have had some great experiences in KS like I have, wish they had more deer though!
I love Iowa!
 
I agree with IOWA1. They are both good and it just depends on how the land is managed and located. Ive hunted Both Illinois and Iowa but i couldnt say one is better than the other. As long as you can find a piece of private land that doesnt get too much pressure, your good to go. IMO there is nothing like hunting riverbottoms and big islands along the Mississippi River. Gotta love it.
 
I have only hunted IL a couple of times, but have some good buddies who either live or hunt there. From what they tell me, the best areas now are outside the "Golden Triangle" counties of Pike, Adams and Brown. As Aim-n-High says, getting away from pressure makes all the difference. IL has huge bucks and unlimited potential, but the growing number of outfitters has really changed things. One of my friends owns/lives on a big chunk of ground he's managed for years and he has seriously considered selling and moving to Iowa!
 
I have hunted both states for the past 10 years or so and IL exclusively before that. My opinion is that if you are hunting land that isn't pressured hard, playing the wind, and using your whitetail knowledge, you have a good chace to put a good deer on the ground in either state. Personally, I put in more time in IA because I live here and I have close access to some good ground, whereas I have to travel 2+ hours to hunt in IL. That being said, I have to say on average I see more deer, more bucks, and more 120-150" bucks in IA but I have consistently seen more 150"+ deer in IL. Not sure if this by luck or what but that has been my trend. This year was no different, as I saw plenty of deer in IA, but a good one on the ground in IA, but the biggest deer I laid eyes on was during a January bow hunt in IL. Both states have treated me well and I will continue to hunt both for as long as I have access.

Kratz
 
Access is the key in any state, as has already been stated. I personally can't believe the amount of money non-res. are beginnig to pay to hunt places that really aren't that great here in Kansas. The good places are beginning to bring bigger money that many of us locals simply cannot compete with, sad...
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KSQ2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Access is the key in any state, as has already been stated. I personally can't believe the amount of money non-res. are beginnig to pay to hunt places that really aren't that great here in Kansas. The good places are beginning to bring bigger money that many of us locals simply cannot compete with, sad... </div></div>

...and that's why we have it so good here. I'm going to say Iowa, because I've never hunted Illinois!
 
Hav'nt been to IL to hunt yet, but i have in Northern Missouri,Nebraska,and South Dakota and had good luck at all. But I was always on private land. Its great going to other states and hunting, but nothing beats being at home in IOWA!
 
I have hunted both states, on private properties in what I consider good area's. Both are about equal, but since I live in Iowa, I would pick it for sure. My next favorite place to hunt is western Kentucky. I have hunted there for many year, and like Iowa, you never know what will walk under your stand next.
 
I've hunted Pike and Schuyler Co.'s in IL for several years and have hunted IA for several. I think IA wins hands down. I've seen less hunters and comparable deer. Even though IL has more hunters I think most who have bought property there manage for big bucks and have maintained the quality, but IA is right there.
 
IOWA just simply can't hold a candle to Illinois.

The Golden Triangle is where it's at for Monster Bucks! /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
 
Either way we are still lucky we have the privilage to hunt where we do. Whether its IA,IL,or KS. No other state can compete with the amount of big bucks we have here in the Midwest.
 
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