Just wanted to pass along an FYI. Several outfitters near us have already got the payments from their hunters with no refund system in place and are quite happy about it. If the hunters dont draw either sex tags they can hope to draw or buy OTC doe tags but I doubt many want to pay those prices($200-$1500 day) to hunt does only. In Illinois, residents get first chance at either sex permits thru August 15th. Dont send anything but a deposit to hold your spot until you draw your gun or bow tags. If you use the Outfitter preference then you have to hunt the ground they control. Some of the outfitters here are fly by night and we've got two near us that leased the ground for themselves to hunt and sold a couple of days to cover the lease so they hunt for free. Ie: by the time the "paying" hunters arrive it will be pretty stomped out. Also ask the outfitter for his license number. DNR has the list on their website so you can cross check it. If they refuse to give it to you or give you the run around, beware. As the economy recovers more and more shysters will appear. Ask for contact info and references too from former clients, successful and unsuccessful.
by backwoodsman » Tue Jul 19, 2011 6:34 pm 