Illinois Rifle Season for Deer 2023

[Glenn Tullius]

Alls I can say to this is if it didn't change the quality of the deer in those places for the worse, then why is it that IL is being inundated with outfitters and hunters from the very states you are speaking of? Why? Because they ALL say they can't get deer like this where they are from. And they ALL say anything with a horn that steps out into the open gets shot and they don't get to grow. Same thing in MO. Lets see what Iowa has to say in a few years when they start loosing entire age classes of bucks.

I do agree with you on several points. Slugs are a very potent and lethal round when used properly as is any form of hunting. I also agree that this is a bogus solution to a problem we didn't have.

This fall is the 3rd year for Iowa, no problems. There are "muzzleloaders" now, that can be converted to smokeless powder, on a single shot H&R action with a custom barrel, or there are now some custom gun makers doing the same on custom actions. They go 2200 plus feet per second, with effect range of 250 yards. They are legal in Iowa. Wonder what Illinois thinks of those?!

 

[74honker]

This fall is the 3rd year for Iowa, no problems. There are "muzzleloaders" now, that can be converted to smokeless powder, on a single shot H&R action with a custom barrel, or there are now some custom gun makers doing the same on custom actions. They go 2200 plus feet per second, with effect range of 250 yards. They are legal in Iowa. Wonder what Illinois thinks of those?!

We can use muzzleloaders here as well. I'm not sure about the new smokeless conversions.

 

[meatyrem]

Some states don't allow smokeless not sure about which state does or doesn't
When Indiana went centerfire cartridges a few years back (Indiana only 15mi south of me) I think there may have been one or two incidents with rifles. Not positive if anyone was hurt or not but I think the only thing I heard of was a round hitting a barn. Other than that apparently it's gone well.

 

[ButterBean]

Butterbean,
You're joking, right? Thought you hunted with a RUM?

Yeah ok ...............................You got me

 

[cornshank]

Hemorrhagic Disease of Deer | Cornell Wildlife Health Lab

cwhl.vet.cornell.edu

Had it here in Michigan a few years back. Many hunters were finding dozens of dead deer all over their properties usually around or near water

Thanks, never heard of it , now I know .

 

[birddog 68]

I use a 20 gauge with Winchester Supremes at over 1,900 feet per second

We can use muzzleloaders here as well

The cartridges that are allowed with the new law aren't as far reaching as either of these.
I use a savage 20 gauge and 150 yard shots are very doable. Not many people use old pumpkin balls nowadays! lol

 

[Justice1327]

I've never hunted in Illinois so I'm curious as to what keeps someone from using a centerfire rifle? Do you have enough game wardens around to check every property where a shot is heard? Do you still have to check deerin? I understand the concern with people taking pot shots at deer with a 350 legend but I would be really surprised if there weren't people already doing that with 300 win mags and 22/250's or even 22lrs for that matter.

We typically are law abiding citizens;therefore, we abide by the law. Previous to this law you were not allowed to shoot rifles. Why risk going to jail if something bad were to happen and you got caught using a rifle…a muzzleloader shoots 300 yards and slug gun easy 100-150.

 

[Snoopy 44]

That really doesn't leave much for options. Basically pistol cartridges only. Leaving out 460 45-70 450 marlin 444 marlin 500 S&W 450 bush 350 legend 357 max
So basically a 44 mag and no longer of a case than that? Am I reading it correctly? So no real advantage over a slug gun or even a muzzle loader.

No, the straight wall cases have no length imitations. Bottle neck cases are limited to 1.4" and minimum of 30 cal. All the Sharps straight. 44's, 45-70, 45-90, 45-120, etc. They have to be single shot rifles. And to include the calibers used in handguns that produce 500 pounds of energy at the muzzle, as has been for years. My son has used a TC Contender in 45-70 Super 14 several years till he went to a smokeless muzzleloader.

 

[Muddyboots]

So is michigans centerfire cartridge law.
No bottleneck and straight wall cartridges can't be longer than 1.8

We can have a very long discussion why it is straight wall and no bottlenecks. One reason only, DNR would veto 100% any bottleneck. They fought the straight wall tooth and nail for 5 years before we were able to get it to NRC. Any bottleneck would give them "technical" reason to stop it. The straight wall was simply allow in rifle what you allow in pistol. Anything beyond that and it would have never been passed.

 

[74honker]

The cartridges that are allowed with the new law aren't as far reaching as either of these.
I use a savage 20 gauge and 150 yard shots are very doable. Not many people use old pumpkin balls nowadays! lol

I completely agree with this except believe it or not the "old pumpkin balls" are still probably about 75% of what's shot in this state.

 

[Mcranch]

This fall is the 3rd year for Iowa, no problems. There are "muzzleloaders" now, that can be converted to smokeless powder, on a single shot H&R action with a custom barrel, or there are now some custom gun makers doing the same on custom actions. They go 2200 plus feet per second, with effect range of 250 yards. They are legal in Iowa. Wonder what Illinois thinks of those?!

There was a chat going on mentioning the smokeless barrel configuration. From what was shown they are highly accurate with plenty of thump. I hope it works out for the state of Iowa. I used to watch hunt shows with Tiffany and the large bucks taken. Dream hunts attainable with clout and money. Like in South Texas where a lease runs 5000 and up to 15000 depending on amenities. The sport of Kings.

 

[Mcranch]

I don't know how I got to Iowa when the I see that the post is about Illinois? The heat in Tx. Has been brutal. I running around with a fried brain

 

[RCMSTER]

NO this is not good news! Don't get me wrong I like to shoot and hunt but the reason everyone wants to come here is to chase a better than average size whitetail. The reason we have a few more of these than other places is because you couldn't shoot rifles and shoot longer distances. Secondly, there is a much higher population density is this state than other places and even in rural areas there's houses, outbuildings, etc everywhere. There's a very high number of bad/careless hunters in this state even with a shotgun and now with rifles equals bad news. Yes I do understand that these are lower power, shorter range calibers comparitively, I know this, you may know this, but the other wishful thinkers will throw a round at anything they "think" they can hit which will lead to alot of crippled and lost deer and God forbid any other collateral damage. Another thing is the total lack of educated management from this states DNR for the last many years. We've had many areas that have been hit hard up to 3Xs in the last several years by EHD and numbers way down from the past and yet they still give out tags like candy. This state and its DNR is operated on one thing and one thing only, make money for the general fund. Doesn't matter how black and white the science, facts or truth is, just lie and make money. This is no different. Sorry for the rant.

My sentiments are the same for Iowa, as far as the DNR doing everything for more money, not necessarily what's best for the herd or the hunters.

 

[meatyrem]

No, the straight wall cases have no length imitations. Bottle neck cases are limited to 1.4" and minimum of 30 cal. All the Sharps straight. 44's, 45-70, 45-90, 45-120, etc. They have to be single shot rifles. And to include the calibers used in handguns that produce 500 pounds of energy at the muzzle, as has been for years. My son has used a TC Contender in 45-70 Super 14 several years till he went to a smokeless muzzleloader.

Ah I get it now.
So a bottle neck case no longer than 1.4". Not sure what that leaves. Are there bottleneck cartridges out there no longer than that length?