Author Topic: Illinois Handgun Hunters? (Read 1408 times)

S.B. · « **on:** November 11, 2007, 10:04:23 AM »

What county and what handgun and caliber do you hunt with? Personally, I hunt LaSalle county (National Guard Training Area up near Marsailles where the Fox and Illinois rivers come together) with a S&W 629-4 Classic in .44 magnum.

Casull · « **Reply #1 on:** November 11, 2007, 01:26:52 PM »

Pope County in the national forest. Have used .454 scoped SRH the last couple of years, but this year will take my open sighted M29 as well. Inside 50 yards will use the Smith, beyond that the Ruger.

Illhunter · « **Reply #2 on:** November 11, 2007, 02:19:13 PM »

I hunt jersey county and usually don't do handgun but carry a 38 special as back up to my muzzleloader. the 38 is not my preferred choice but is capalble with proper shot placement to do job i guess. I have been considering a 357 mag or a 45lc pistol if i can work out a trade deal.

Terry

Paladin · « **Reply #3 on:** November 11, 2007, 03:22:17 PM »

jersey an calhoun county's, 41 mag in a 14 inch contender. Illhunter that 38 won't make minimum muzzle energy. you need something that will make 500 ft lb of muzzle energy in a factory load. good hunting

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #4 on:** November 11, 2007, 04:20:43 PM »

Don't get caught with the 38 as a side arm they will take it away and it is not legal in Illinois got to be at least .357. I use 357 in Stephenson and Winnebago counties. kurt

stevinator · « **Reply #5 on:** November 11, 2007, 04:22:38 PM »

Ogle County, 357 taurus tracker 6'' ported barrel ,red dot.

Good Luck Guys it's this weekend.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #6 on:** November 11, 2007, 05:09:15 PM »

Sangamon county...I had been taking the .45 but may take the unblooded .44 instead. Crawford is where I go for the late season.
Reminder: The hours for the reg season have been extended to 1/2Hr after sunset.

Illhunter · « **Reply #7 on:** November 11, 2007, 06:33:30 PM »

since it is not main weapon for hunting i guess i will take the 45 acp instead but that is not a revolver so not legal either but these are my backup for muzzleloader and firearms season but am considering a trade for something different a new revolver might be in order.

Terry

Casull · « **Reply #8 on:** November 11, 2007, 07:03:07 PM »

since it is not main weapon for hunting i guess i will take the 45 acp instead but that is not a revolver so not legal either but these are my backup for muzzleloader and firearms season but am considering a trade for something different a new revolver might be in order.

Quote

Yep, be careful, as neither is legal and they will bust you if caught.

911ne · « **Reply #9 on:** November 16, 2007, 12:16:39 PM »

Henry County, .357 Highway Patrolman Shooting 180 gr. Buffalo Bore cast bullets with open sights.

S.B. · « **Reply #10 on:** November 16, 2007, 03:06:30 PM »

I thought it illegal to carry two handgun, this year in Illinois?

sniper2u00 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 16, 2007, 04:01:42 PM »

Whiteside Co. With a .480 SRH./2x weaver scope. Also a Ruger GP 100 .357 at times. Putting a load together for my new Contender 41mag. with a 14in Heavy barrel. Paladin what load works best for your gun? Thanks

Paladin · « **Reply #12 on:** November 16, 2007, 05:42:24 PM »

sniper2u00-210 grain XTP, 21.5 grains of 296, Remington brass and federal 150 primers. use this load in a 14in contender with a 2.5 power scope. my gun really likes this load. 10in barrel likes blue dot,black hawk likes unique and my smith don't care as long as it's under a 200 grain wad cutter. different strokes for different folks also holds true for guns. good luck on your forth coming adventure !!

Illhunter · « **Reply #13 on:** November 16, 2007, 06:42:51 PM »

the only problem with the energy requirement is you need a min of a 357 and i don't like a 357 and can't afford anything new at this point. at least from the chart i read that is.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #14 on:** November 18, 2007, 05:11:31 PM »

Took a two year old buck today with the (new last Jan) Super Blackhawk in the .44mag. It had a mediocre rack but body size and dressed out weight were very good as these grain fed animals tend to be.
I used 23.6gr 296 & the 240gr XTP with a CCI 350 primer. The shot was around 53yds with the bullet entering just in front of the left shoulder. The exit was just behind the right shoulder and around 3/4".
The deer did the 29yd dash then was done for.

That shot is always kind of anticlimactic, yesterday I had a small doe trot by within 5 feet of the ground blind. Also on that day I had a mature doe browsing on the more tender stuff and was within 15 feet of me for quite a while.
Today I had another nice doe browsing towards me and I was considering taking her but I got busted by another doe that was downwind and behind me. I couldnt help but smile at the thought of both of these deer showing up at either end of me at the same time.
Saw lots of others (most of them running) as there was a fair amount of gunfire around me. I am fortunate enough to have no one closer than 1/2mile from me in my private patch.
It was nice to see the .44 work its magic, I need to get going on finding a good cast bullet for it.

Casull · « **Reply #15 on:** November 19, 2007, 10:15:44 AM »

Quote

I thought it illegal to carry two handgun, this year in Illinois?

Had not heard that. I will need to check for the second half of the season (was carrying two for the first half).

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #16 on:** November 20, 2007, 02:29:57 AM »

Quote from: Casull on November 19, 2007, 10:15:44 AM

Quote
I thought it illegal to carry two handgun, this year in Illinois?

Had not heard that. I will need to check for the second half of the season (was carrying two for the first half).

I do not know the answer to this but remember the wording as being And/Or
Theoretically, you could carry a shotgun and or a muzzleloader and or a handgun and legally take all three with you if you wish.
You certainly can take a pair of firearms but I don't know if of the same type. Sounds crazy, I know, but it gets into the language of the regulations which is red-tape.

I simplify by taking one handgun only but have considered taking the muzzleloader also in the late season...it depends on how much venison I need and the possibility of sending a powerbelt out to 150yds.

ILHunter · « **Reply #17 on:** November 20, 2007, 03:15:45 AM »

You can carry as many guns as you want as long as they are all legal firearms for the season and permit type you have.

Firearms permit = take Shotgun w/ slugs, muzzle loader and 2 legal handguns.
Muzzle loader = as many legal muzzle loaders as you can (safely) handle.
IL Hunter

S.B. · « **Reply #18 on:** November 21, 2007, 03:59:59 AM »

I looked this up and this year the wording reads that it is legal to carry more than one handgun while hunting deer? Sorry for any confusion.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #19 on:** December 01, 2007, 05:55:57 PM »

How are you guys doing out there?
I know that it has been ICY! Be Careful.

S.B. · « **Reply #20 on:** December 02, 2007, 01:25:22 AM »

Not good. I managed to get drawn for stand by, one day out of the first season without success, and no days of the second season so, NO DEER this year for me.

begeberg · « **Reply #21 on:** December 03, 2007, 04:04:40 PM »

Hunted Marshall County last weekend and got a 9 point 2-3 year old(around 160 pounds). Used a 357 10 inch Contender with Federal 180 grain HPs. Will take only perfect broadside shots going forward!

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #22 on:** December 03, 2007, 05:40:46 PM »

Quote from: begeberg on December 03, 2007, 04:04:40 PM

Hunted Marshall County last weekend and got a 9 point 2-3 year old(around 160 pounds). Used a 357 10 inch Contender with Federal 180 grain HPs. Will take only perfect broadside shots going forward!

Congratulatons

S.B.
I can imagine that you will bide your time very well till next season...Sounds like you have a lot going on load development and (like me) finding that cast bullet that the respective handguns like!