Grigsby Outdoors is excited to announce our partnership with QDMA. We feel that their expertise will be pivotal in attaining our long-term goals. Extensive herd management plays an important role in our deer management plan. At the heart of our management plan is an extensive amount of data collection. Working closely with QDMA, we will determine the total number of deer that need to be harvested on the property annually, and from that number we will establish the number of Trophy hunters we will allow to hunt. We maintain a deer observation log of all hunts conducted on the farm. All hunters are asked to record the number of quality bucks or bucks over 140 inches, as well as other bucks, does, fawns and unknown. We have found these observation books to be very helpful in collecting data. Our guides keep a running observation log. All of the data that is collected through trail camera surveys, hunter observations, and guide observations allows us to accurately judge the health of our deer herd, which in turn allows us to make sound management decisions.

All harvested does are aged by jaw bone wear and bucks’ incisor teeth are aged by cementum annuli analysis. A major factor in growing big bucks is letting deer reach maturity which will be a limiting factor on The Grigsby Farm. Grigsby Outdoors implements a 140 inch minimum which will result in protection of most of our 2.5 year old deer. Our optimal goal is to allow bucks to reach a minimum age of 4.5 years.

Grigsby Outdoor is in the initial phases of changing from an antler minimum to an age structure minimum. There are several concerns that arise when harvesting by age structure. First, how can you accurately age a buck in the stand? The answer is practice and education. If you decide to book a hunt with Grigsby Outdoors your adventure will start well before you arrive on The Grigsby farm. We will post monthly trail camera photos from which you will have the opportunity to age and score our deer on the hoof. We will ask you to categorize deer into three classes: young deer, middle aged, and mature deer. We understand that it is impossible to accurately age and score every deer. However, we feel that through practice and education hunters will be more accurate in scoring judgments in the field. There will be a panel of wildlife biologist and experienced staff members that will age and score all photos posted on our website.

“With nearly 13,000 contiguous acres in the heart of big buck country, it’s not surprising that The Grigsby is one of the premiere whitetail properties in North America. But, it’s getting better every year due to their comprehensive QDM program which we helped design and implement. Few properties provide both the opportunity to harvest a record-class whitetail and a memorable hunting experience as does The Grigsby.”

Brian Murphy CEO / Wildlife Biologist Quality Deer Management

Food Plots
Grigsby Outdoors is in the process of developing a comprehensive food plot program that will meet the nutritional requirements of our deer herd year around. We have spoken with several experts and are preparing to plant for the 2009 season. An important issue that we are addressing concerns food plot placement. Our goal is to evenly distribute a mixture of warm and cool season plots across the entire property. Continue to check back for pictures and information regarding our food plot program.

Harvest Minimums
In our efforts to improve the quality of our deer herd and the quality of your hunting experience we have established minimum harvest criteria. We have set a minimum of 4.5 years or 140 inches. Bucks that are under the 140 minimum but are 4.5 or older will not be assessed a fine. All bucks will be aged via cementum annuli analysis. We encourage all hunters to make a clean ethical shot. We have a draw blood policy on our property, which means that if you draw blood your hunt is over. Grigsby Outdoors will implement the following fine policy for deer that does not meet our minimum criteria:

From 139-135 inches $500
From 134-130 inches $1000
From 129-125 inches $1500
From 124-120 inches $2000

If you harvest a deer on the last day of your hunt that does not meet our harvest minimums we will double your fine. Grigsby Outdoors staff will take a gross score measurement of all deer.

Trophy Whitetail:
Grigsby Outdoors offers a six night, five day guided archery-only hunt that includes all meals and lodging in one of the two lodges located on the farm. Grigsby Outdoors takes pride in offering a high quality low impact Trophy Whitetail experience. We offer bow hunters one of the best opportunities in the country for harvesting a fair chase, Trophy Whitetail. We are offering 5 incredible weeks of hunting for the 2009 season. All hunters will arrive Saturday after 3pm for orientation and hunt Sunday through Thursday and leave the following Friday morning.

2010 Archery Whitetail Dates and Rates
**Illinois hunting license and permit not included.**

2010 Combo Firearm/Archery Hunts
**Illinois hunting license and permit not included.**

Accommodations, guide, and meals included

50% of hunt plus tag fees required for deposit to book hunt.
Archery only.
We can acquire a tag if you need us to.
We encourage doe harvest.
All rooms are double occupancy.
Non hunting guests are welcome at 500 dollars.
We will accommodate up to 10 hunters per party.

Payment Policy
A deposit of 50% of hunting fee and all applicable permit and license fees are due at the time of booking and the remaining amount is due by June 1, 2010. Current Grigsby Outdoors clients are given preference for rebooking.

Refund Policy:
No refunds will be given unless Grigsby Outdoors is unable to accommodate your booking.