Use of light in Illinois?

C

cee atch

New member
Could any of the Illinois guys provide some details about the use of lights for calling there? I have a bow hunting buddy over there telling me about all the coyotes he is seeing and would like go over and do some calling with him. He does know what the regs are for sure and I would like to know before I go, I have no desire to find out the hard way! It seems everybody can read into new rules what they like, I prefer to here it from some eho have been there/done that.

Thanks in advance, all responces will be appreciated.
Cee Atch
 
I'm from Northern IL (Lee county) so I can probably help you out with this one. First of all, coyote hunting in IL is 24 hours until the end of January then it switches to 30 mins before sunrise until 30 mins after sunset. Regs say that "small handheld lights" are legal as long as they aren't attached to a vehicle in any way. I use a scope mounted spotlight with a red filter and wear a battery pack on my belt. Hope this helps..... What part of IL are you thinking of hunting in?
 
Thanks Darknight,
I believe he is in Henderson County. We both work at the hospital in Burlington, Ia, he is about 20 miles east in Ill. I may have to wait until next year, not much time left to justify the cost of a non resident license. When do they allow the use of light? I would assume that it would have to be after deer seasons close if they are anything like Iowa DNR. I have been working on an Iowa DNR board member to get them to consider allowing lights for a period after deer seasons end here, but it doesn't look to promising. After a couple of "lighted hunts" in Texas I think it could really improve our success rates here. I don't know how it is for you but the yotes in southeast Iowa are tough customers in daylight. I have had fair success moonlight on the snow, when we have both at the same time. Thanks again for the reply!

Cee Atch
 
Yeah cee atch, the light hunting would be reserved for anytime other than shotgun deer season, when red-fox season is open, which is from Nov. 10 until Jan 31st. Once red-fox season is closed you are limited to the half-hour before sunrise and half-hour after sunset times.
One thing that I'm experimenting with is hunting according to the solunar tables. I hunt early and late but the last couple of coyotes I have noticed to appear around the "major" times of those tables. Maybe just coincidence???
I must say that the calling has been pretty slow over here though and am closely watching the weather to see if we get some snow here.
Good luck!
 


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