John's Journal...
Entry 144,
Day 3
ROB SCOTT, GUIDE FOR BIG DEER
Guidelines for Taking Deer
EDITOR'S
NOTE: Avid deer hunter and experienced guide, Rob Scott of Alma, Georgia,
has been working with Buckhorn Outfitters in Greene County, Illinois,
for three years. This week Scott shares some of his secrets for finding
and taking big bucks and tells us a few of his hunters' best deer-hunting
success stories.
QUESTION: What are the regulations in Illinois for hunting
bucks?
ANSWER: Hunters may use a muzzleloader or a shotgun with a scope. Shotguns
must have rifle slugs. No buckshot allowed. On average, a hunter standing
100 yards away can get a shot at a 130-inch buck with a shotgun or a muzzleloader
with a scope in good weather.
QUESTION:
What guidelines do you have for bucks?
ANSWER: The basic rule of thumb is that the buck must have three things:
tine length, mass and width. If the deer has all three, he'll score. If
he doesn't have all of those things, he needs to be strong in at least
one of them.
QUESTION: Are most of your deer 8 pointers?
ANSWER: We have an average of 8- to 10-point bucks. But we've bagged 12-
and 14-point bucks. The number of tines varies, depending on the age of
the bucks.
QUESTION: How big are most of your 2-year-old bucks?
ANSWER: Our 2-year olds are typically 110 to 140 inches.
QUESTION:
Why do the bucks grow so big in Illinois?
ANSWER: I believe they grow so large so fast because of the soybeans and
corn available. These crops are nothing but protein and carbohydrates,
and they quickly put fat and nice racks on the deer.
QUESTION: Can you take does on your property?
ANSWER: We encourage everybody to take does because you almost can never
take enough does.
QUESTION: How many does can a bowhunter take?
ANSWER: A non-resident bowhunter can take one doe, and a resident bowhunter
can take up to three does. For more information about Buckhorn Outfitters,
contact Rob Scott at (912) 632-8233 or visit www.buckhornoutfitters.com.
TOMORROW: BEST HUNT FROM 2001
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