08/31/2026
The corn harvest has started in Illinois!
I saw the first fields being picked last week.
Here are the most recent trail cam photos.
Minimum buck standards of 140”
Our farms have had a 140 minimum for
10 - 15 years, and are often close to state parks and conservation refuges, so the population of bucks over 150” is very good.
The genetics are so good here, 2.5 year old bucks can be 6 x 6 and score in the mid 130s. That is actually the reason we started a 140 minimum, to protect those young 12 pointers for another year or more. Even more important, these areas have a very high rebooking, and many repeat hunters will not shoot a 140. In effect, that is a self imposed 150 minimum!
That’s teamwork!
Take the time to learn what a 140 buck looks like. If you don’t, the fine is $500. Bring cash for that. We enforce fines !
We do not want 130 class bucks taken. Neither do the other hunters in your camp. Mistakes in judgement happen, but If you are fined 2 years in a row, you won’t hunt that camp the next year.
Call your guide to introduce yourself in September, and confirm your meeting location/time upon arrival in camp. During this conversation, ensure you get clear directions to your hunting camp. The majority of our camps are remote and cell service is poor. Also, please let your guide know if you have special needs, medical limitations, or hunting preferences such as a ground blind or ladder stand. As a reminder our guides are spending more time in the woods in October, with minimal cell service, so please contact them in September.
If you are staying in a motel: Call your motel soon, preferably this week, and confirm your reservation.
They will want your credit card. For a 6 day hunt, we pay for 6 nights.
Hunting License/Deer Tag/Habitat Stamp - please ensure you have all 3 required licenses, deer tags and habitat stamps ( you won’t receive an actual stamp, the hunting license ID card must say “habitat stamp” which tells DNR Officers you paid that $5.50 fee). Every year 5-10 hunters each week fail to have what they need. Missing any of these items can delay your hunt by 4 hours or more depending on your camp location. And sign them. Make copies of the IDs to give your guide immediately upon arrival.
Please read again the Hunter Preparation letter to learn more about our daily hunt procedures and requirements, what you should bring, and think about what questions you need answered before you get here. It has a guide phone directory. I texted this to each hunter, but if you never received it, request it by text or email.
Directions to camp:
For hunters in Calhoun county, the cell service is bad. So be clear on directions before you leave home. If you did not receive directions, let me know now.
When you can’t reach your guide after 2 calls, then call or text me. Guides often don’t have cell service on the farms. They are busy now with mowing, hanging stands, clearing ATV and hiking trails from fallen trees, and setting and checking cameras on 17 farms of over 8000 acres.
We do have 2026 bow and gun hunts available due to some cancellations.
For hunt details or if you need your guide’s phone number contact:
Steve Phelps 217 414 4471
[email protected]
www.illinoistrophybowhunters
