[scout26]

First off: No, I do not work for the IDNR nor the State of Illinois. Just wondering what people here who hunted in Illinois (Res or Non-Res) thought of the new deer and turkey check-in process.

Here's my thoughts:
Pluses
1. Did not have to drive 30 miles round trip to check in my deer. Made the call for the confirmation number from my cell phone while still out in the field. One of my cousin's had his laptop out in the woods with him, :banghead: checked it in and ordered his deer pin that way. (Yes, he was playing games on it while in his stand.)
2. It was roughly 45 minutes from trigger pull to dropped off at the processor for my second deer (doe). (I'll start another thread singing the praises of Winchester Platnium Tip Slugs later.)

Minuses
1. Did not get to drive 30 miles roundtrip to the check station. I kinda missed seeing what other people were getting and hearing how the season was going from the college kids manning the station.
2. How about at the end of the call, after the "How many Bobcats did you see ? How many Turkeys did you see?", they have this question "Do you want us to send you your deer pin ?? Press 1 for 'YES' and 2 for 'NO'."
It sucks that a) you have to get on the web and request your pin, and b) you have to wait 6-8 weeks to get it !!!
3. Lots of potential for unethical/illegal behavior. But I guess dishonest people will always/still be dishonest.

Trivial, perhaps, but to me it's not the same to not have your deer pin(s) for this year on your hat while still at camp.

Your thoughts/comments ???

[king.460]

wanted to come out of me when I called my Illini animal in instead of driving up to a check-in station with the tailgate down!:D Anyway, my only gripe is having to get my bifocals out to read the tiny print on the license.

[Remington788]

I liked it. I also had to drive about 30 miles round trip to check in my deer, so it saved a lot of time. The downside to no check station was that I shot a nice 11 pointer this year and did not get to show him off.