Stacy Prater met up with Terrell and Cody Jennings to do some pheasant hunting. They chose opening morning of firearm deer season, so I got to guide them. Ava and Sol came out for the first round at the big birds in the Clubhouse and East Bottom Fields. The dogs and hunters did a nice job knocking down most of the pheasants flushed from the prairie.

The Farleys, Cole, Chad, Luke, Ross and Tim came out to hunt some quail. I set out some good sized coveys in the Cabin Field for Steve Sanders and his pointers to find and point for the group. They found all the coveys, had some nice rises and came back with many of their birds.

Robert Gretens and Mike Collins came out to hunt some quail. Robert brought his pups, Cruiser and Daisy out to find the quail in the East and West Bottom Fields. I made it down to see Daisy finding a few birds and Robert knocking down both.

Dean and Sandy Devall brought out their pointer Cy and their new lab mix, Molly to hunt some quail and chukar. I set out the birds in the South Tinkerfarm Field and Cy along with the help of Molly found them all. They found out that Molly, who looks like a lab by basset hound mix could turn into a good bird dog.

Dean and Sandy Devall brought out their pointer Cy and their new lab mix, Molly to hunt some quail and chukar. I set out the birds in the South Tinkerfarm Field and Cy along with the help of Molly found them all. They found out that Molly, who looks like a lab by basset hound mix could turn into a good bird dog.

Shaun Lance set up a pheasant and chukar hunt for sons, Dustin and Kodde and Brian Clark. Shaun brought his two setters, Lucy and Gunner and Dustin his shorthair, Remmy. They had a good time hunting the big birds in the still thick Clubhouse Field.

Tim McClain came with his young shorthair, Apache to get some work in on quail and pheasant. I was able to catch the first rooster rise on camera. Apache and Tim did alright coming back with all their pheasant and most of their quail.

Steve Dieckmann brought out his shorthair for a couple of chukar hunts. Remmy did an excellent job all weekend, finding and pointing all his chukar, but also just as many bonus pheasant and quail.

Nick Wiseman brought out his young shorthair, Remmy, for a warm up pheasant hunt before heading out west after wild birds. I was able to catch one rise on camera from the Cabin Field, nice work by Remmy. Hunting improved after I left with Nick picking up a spare hen and a quail.

The second lottery for Illinois Spring Turkey permits is now open.  This is the first lottery open to non-residents and it will be open until January 11th.  Fayette County permits are in demand, so if you would like to get a permit, be sure to get into the second lottery.

I still have three spots available for the spring season of 2019.  Check out all the information here, for an incredible turkey hunting opportunity.