A bid on the opening day of Illinois’ firearms deer season, made extra special by the partial lunar eclipse in the hours before, with a new hunter in the Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area.

From Edwards County, Gary Bloom sent the message Thursday: “Hope you go deer hunting. I’m there now, scouted last night, some today. Ruth is on. So four bucks hunt one then; then do one with three. Buck ratio is higher than then. [Friday] will tell. It’s going to be a cold morning 24 down here. Full moon can make it hard, deer can feed all night. “

Of course I went deer hunting.

But it was the strangest opening day of deer hunting I remember for more than 50 years. Friday was the opening day of Illinois’ first firearms deer season, which ends Sunday. Second season is 2-5. December.

What made Friday unique was packing and then driving in a partial lunar eclipse. It added a second-worldly feel.

The partial lunar eclipse just passed as hunters ventured into the field at the Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area Friday on the opening day of Illinois’ first firearms season.

Dale Bowman

But then is the first day of the deer season when I trip out of life.

This year was also different because I took John Vukmirovich on deer hunting for the first time. Vukmirovich and I regularly roam the outdoors together: Jackson Park to Eggers Grove to the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area.

We drew permits for the Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area near Wilmington. It was the first for me. I have hunted pigeons and pheasants there, but never deer.

35 permits had been granted. On Friday, 26 permit holders showed up, so all seven standby hunters paid $ 5 to hunt for the day. Hunters selected an open parking area, placed a parking card inside their windshield, and put green numbered spots on the back of their fluorescent orange outerwear.

Site Inspector Jeff Wepprecht kept things going. At 05.08 he gave the opening speech about what one may and may not do. Then he sent us off: “Beautiful day to hunt. There are lots of deer out here. Go and go hunting.”

My favorite hour of the year is before recording time (half an hour before sunrise), where the deer season feels like an eternal opportunity.

In the woods, while it was still dark, I heard Canada geese pushing incessantly. Forester buzzed past just before dawn. At least once I heard a deer rustle past, out of sight.

As the light swelled, crows scratched in droves, gray squirrels rustled in the leaves, making my nerves bounce when I thought a deer was coming. I sat so still that a gray squirrel came within reach. I tried to curb my enthusiasm and I jerked and scared bejesus out of it.

Then the late-emerging, fox-squirrels began their own running around and climbing trees. I heard a polka dot but did not see it.

After Thursday’s winds, it was remarkably calm Friday morning, so quietly falling mulberry leaves landed loudly in the forest litter.

“People are coming in steadily, that’s the general consensus,” Dan Skinner said at noon. “Everyone is in a pretty good mood. It was a crisp morning. There’s a light wind. Goats are chasing do and [hunters] see deer. “

Skinner, forestry program manager for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, worked at Ogle County Control Station.

“So much of the firearms season, with only seven days, is weather dependent,” Skinner said.

Aside from some weekend rain in spots, the first season looks like reasonable fall weather.

On the way back to meet Vukmirovich for lunch, I rinsed a pheasant.

It was about time.

He had to be home early and I wanted to chase to the last.

In counties with chronic degenerative disease – there are 20 with 14 control stations – hunters must check harvested deer into a control station between kl. 8 and 20 in both deer weapon seasons. Skinner reminded that Carroll County is a new checkpoint this year.

Sunrise at the Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area on Friday slowly revealed the cover on the opening day of Illinois’ first firearms season.

Dale Bowman