Off to an early start in IL!

[Smokey]

My son took a 9 pointer Oct 1st - archery season opener and I followed suit on Friday eve....
We had both of these bucks on a trail cam several times before season... Earliest either of us has let an arrow fly...

 

[Smokey]

Here they are together in one pic... We also are rebuilding an elevated stand ....

 

[Brian M]

Excellent!

So what's your story with regards to # of tags? Does taking one early mean your buck season is over? Either way, congratulations on a couple of fine deer!

 

[Smokey]

Excellent!

So what's your story with regards to # of tags? Does taking one early mean your buck season is over? Either way, congratulations on a couple of fine deer!

We are allowed a maximum of 2 bucks in IL no matter how you combine tags - so if I shoot 2 with archery eq I cannot shoot a buck then with a gun. Only exception is for bucks with antlers less that 3 inches tall I believe - they are considered antlerless.
We can pretty much get unlimited numbers of doe or antlerless tags... So, if I want to enjoy a long season of archery I will have to get picky on my second buck! I can see a couple tender button bucks headed to the freezer soon though!