Trophy Whitetails of Illinois
I have recently had the opportunity to review an interesting book, Trophy Whitetails of Illinois. When Tim Walmsley (listed in the book as the owner of the copyright) contacted me about a possible review, I remember wondering what a state record book could have to offer besides record listings... This book has listings, and a lot more besides.
Compiled in 1999, this is the second edition of Trophy Whitetails of Illinois. According to their Web site, this book contains the following:
- 7,895 - Trophy
Whitetails from Illinois Department of Natural Resources Big Buck Recognition
Program Records
- 610 - (B & C) Boone & Crockett Class Bucks
- 4,051 - (P & Y) Pope & Young Class Heads
- Photos of huge - four & eight pointers - locked bucks, giant drop tine
deer, plus World Record sheds from a deer possibly still out there.
What's interesting to note is the diversity of content found in this book. Articles (such as Adjust your Attitude for Trophy Whitetails and Deer Habitat Improvement and Management of Your Own Land) are plentiful, with interesting photos of hunters and deer throughout. The size of many of these deer is beyond impressive. Also included are names and contact info for authorized measurers for the Illinois Big Buck Program, very useful for Illinois residents who believe they've bagged a trophy-book buck.
Something I found to be unusual and a bit disconcerting are the advertisements scattered throughout the book... certainly not something I'm used to seeing in a book, especially one costing this much ($24.95 plus $4 shipping & handling, US dollars). I don't know the reasons for the large number of ads, but I want to make sure you're prepared for it.
As a selling point, the publishers add, "Find out where & how these big deer were taken. Summarized data on what areas produced these monsters and how many per county. A must for the serious big buck hunter."
I think this book is definitely worthwhile to anyone who hunts deer in Illinois, and it makes an interesting read for the serious deer hunter anywhere in the USA. It could make a fine after-Christmas treat for yourself, if you're interested in books of this kind.
Russ Chastain
