Whitetail Deer Hunting in Pike County Illinois
December 13th, 2024 – Pike County, IL Outfitter Report – “Now is the best time to reserve your 2025 whitetail hunt, prime spots are filling up quickly! We do have a few late season archery only hunts in Dec/Jan for this season. Call 217-982-4039 or E-Mail to inquire about our all-inclusive guided whitetail hunts today!”
Visit Heartland Lodge for legendary Pike County Illinois deer hunting, in one of the finest whitetail deer hunting lodges & outfitters in the country! Heartland Lodge is located in the middle of incredible free range Illinois deer hunting country. Located between the Mississippi and Illinois River drainages, Heartland provides habitat that is perfect for large whitetail bucks. The four key ingredients to having a quality deer herd are all found at Harpole’s deer hunting lodge & outfitter. You must have genetics, food, habitat, and a good age structure to produce monster bucks and quality whitetail deer hunting. The genetics here in Illinois are the best in the country. The food and habitat could not be better. With a strict management program in place to preserve growth, Heartland has it all when hunting for incredible whitetail bucks.
Our goal is to have 100% satisfaction for each deer hunter. Compare us with other whitetail deer hunting lodges & outfitters. You won’t be disappointed. We are among the finest in the country – and the only Orvis-approved hunting lodge in Illinois.
Deer Hunting Outfitters
When looking for a hunting outfitter, especially a whitetail deer hunting outfitter, you need to make sure you do your homework. There are so many Illinois outfitters and many are located in Pike County and West Central Illinois. New deer outfitters are popping up every year and whitetail hunters should make sure they have been in business at least 10 yrs. When hunting with an outfitter make sure you ask all the questions and if it sounds to good to be true it probably is.
Watch this video of Ron Way’s
192″ Monster Whitetail!!
Read more about Ron’s Massive Buck Here>>>
Six-Night, Five-Day Package – Arrive the night before between 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Hunt five full days and depart after breakfast on your sixth day. Archery deer hunts are what we specialize in. If you are an archery hunter, you will feel at home at Heartland. Our Illinois bow hunting deer packages are the hunt of a lifetime!
Four-Night, Three-Day Package – Available in October, December and January. (Whitetail deer hunting in January is a local favorite.)
Seven-Night, Six-Day Archery-Muzzleloader Combo Package – Arrive on Monday between 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Hunt three full days of archery and then hunt three full days of muzzleloader. This whitetail deer hunt usually falls on the second week and weekend of December.
Ask about our Doe Derby archery deer hunts in December & January.
Four-Night, Three-Day November Package – Arrive on Thursday between 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Gun hunt three full days and depart on Monday after breakfast. This Illinois firearm deer hunt usually falls the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Five-Night, Four-Day December Package – Arrive on Wednesday between 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Hunt four full days and depart on Monday after breakfast. This Illinois gun deer hunt usually falls the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Four-Night, Three-Day Muzzleloader Package – Arrive on Thursday between 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Hunt three full days and depart on Monday after breakfast. This Illinois muzzleloader deer hunt usually falls on the second weekend of December.
Seven-Night, Six-Day Archery-Muzzleloader Combo Package – Arrive on Monday between 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Hunt three full days of archery and then hunt three full days of muzzleloader. This archery and muzzleloader deer hunt usually falls on the second week and weekend of December.
For all gun tags, you need to contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Please call 217-782-7305 to have the application sent to you, or visit them online HERE>>.
Crossbow whitetail hunting in Illinois is now allowed throughout the entire archery season regardless of age or physical ability. Crossbow hunting is gaining popularity across the state as it has now opened up more opportunities for a variety of hunters to go afield. At Heartland Lodge we accommodate traditional, compound and crossbow hunters. Several of our ladderstands have the shooting rail that goes around the stand. Also, we have several ground blinds and box blinds that make for comfortable crossbow hunting.
- All whitetails are free roaming.
- All hunts are fully guided. Guides take you to and from the stand. Guides do not sit in the stand.
- We hunt on approximately 4,500 acres located in Pike and Calhoun Counties.
- The average opportunity rate is approximately 60%.
- We only harvest deer scoring 140 Pope & Young or better.
- We encourage the harvesting of does.
- Crossbows are legal in Illinois during archery season.
- Illinois is a shotgun, straight-walled rifle and muzzleloader state.
- Slugs are used with shotguns. Buckshot is not allowed.
- All guns must be plugged and can only hold 3 shells at a time.
- All guns and bows must be in cases while in the vehicle.
- When a deer is wounded, a possible 48-hour search may be required before hunting is resumed.
- Gun hunters must wear a solid orange cap and a solid orange vest.
- Average tree stand height is 15′-18′. Higher and lower stands are available. Ground blinds are also available. Please call ahead to let us know any special requirements.
- We use tree steps and stacking sticks with our lock on stands.
- Ladder stands are available.
- Guides will field dress your deer.
- Processing – We can quarter or de-bone your deer.
- Caping – There is a fee paid directly to a local processor.
- Smoking Policy – No smoking in lodge, tree stands, or in guides’ vehicles.
Your stay with us is more than a whitetail hunt. It’s part of a strong hunting tradition that started back when Heartland’s owner, Gary Harpole, was a child. Each year, new traditions and memories are being created by our guests. The most cherished memories are not the game we harvested, but the memories created from time spent with family and friends. That is what hunting at Heartland Lodge is all about, creating legacy memories that you will always cherish. Read Gary’s Personal Story Here >>
| 2024 & 2025 Archery Dates Available: | |
|---|---|
| More on our Archery Hunts>> | |
| 2024 Late Season Archery Dates Available | |
| (Mid-Dec thru Mid-Jan) *Contact for other available dates 5 Day Hunt: $2,250 3 Day Hunt: $1,950 3 Day Doe Hunt: $1,750 | Arrive Dec. 16th, hunt 3 or 5 days. Arrive Dec. 29th, hunt 3 or 5 days. Arrive Jan. 5th, hunt 3 or 5 days. Arrive Jan. 12th, hunt 3 or 5 days. |
| 2025 Archery Dates Available | |
| October 1st–4th (Opening Week - 4 Days of Hunting) Click Here For More Info. | $3,650 |
| October 6th-9th (4 Days of Hunting) | $2,950 |
| October 13th-16th (4 Days of Hunting) | $2,950 |
| October 18th-20th (3 Days of Hunting) | $2,950 |
| October 22nd-26th, (5 Days of Hunting) Click Here For More Info. | $4,550 |
| October 28th-November 1st (5 Days of Hunting) | $5,950 |
| November 3rd-7th (5 Days of Hunting) | $5,950 |
| November 9th-13th (5 Days of Hunting) | $5,950 |
| November 15th-19th (5 Days of Hunting) Click Here For More Info. | $5,950 |
| Nov. 29th-Dec. 2nd (4 days of hunting) Click Here For More Info. | $3,150 |
| 2025 Firearm Dates Available: | |
|---|---|
| More on our Firearm Hunts>> | |
| November 21st-23rd (Shotgun, Rifle or Muzzleloader) 3 Days of Hunting | $5,550 |
| December 4th-7th (Shotgun, Rifle or Muzzleloader) 4 Days of Hunting Click Here For More Info. | $4,150 |
| December 12th-14th (Muzzleloader Only) 3 Days of Hunting Click Here For More Info. | $3,150 |
| **includes guides, meals, accommodations & game cleaning Click Here For More Info. on Legal Rifles | |
All bookings are double occupancy in regular room at the Original Lodge, unless other arrangements are made. Private rooms can be arranged if available. All rooms have private baths. As part of the care and maintenance inside our lodge, we ask that you bring slippers or wear socks. Boots and shoes are removed in the mud room. The Original Lodge is for hunters only October – December 25th. Prairie Ridge Lodge is for hunters only the entire month of November.
- Non-hunting guests are welcome. The rate is $150 for each night for a regular room. Call for pricing on other rooms.
- Non-hunting guest meal package is $100 per night.
- If non-hunting guest would like to sit in the stand with hunters, the fee is $150 per hunting day. (This option is not available during rut weeks or firearm seasons, late-October thru mid-December- we have limited space in guide vehicles)
- Private rooms are available upon request.
- All Lodges/ Cabins have WIFI
- $150 for a private regular room each night at The Original Lodge.
- $175 for the Angler room (Queen Bed) each night at The Original Lodge.
- $225 for the Whitetail suite (King Bed & Whirlpool) each night at The Original Lodge
- $285 for the Luxury suite (King Bed, Whirlpool, & Fireplace) each night at Prairie Ridge Lodge
- $385 for the Private Luxury Cabins (King Bed, Whirlpool, Fireplace & Private Deck) each night at the Luxury Cabins
Enjoy one of our Luxury Suites during your stay. For only $142.50 per hunter (per night – based on double occupancy) you can stay in one of these incredible rooms. Each spacious room has two king size beds, Whirlpool, fireplace, gun holders, private decks and entrance. Prices are valid only when purchasing a hunt package above, otherwise our regular room rates apply.
Please call our office at 1-800-717-4868 or email us at Zach@HeartlandLodge.com to book whitetail deer hunting reservations.
CLICK TO CALLWhere Are We?
Heartland Lodge is in Pike County, Illinois, (Illinois deer hunting capital) northeast of St. Louis, Missouri and southwest of Springfield, Illinois. Click here for directions and a map.
Rooms
All of our hunts are booked double occupancy. Private rooms and luxury suites are available for an additional charge.
Groups – Size and Level of Experience
We welcome seasoned veterans and those who are just learning how to deer hunt. With deer hunting tips and strategies from our guides, your group is sure to have an incredible time. We limit our whitetail hunters to 12-16 per week, depending on the time of year. Additional upland and waterfowl hunters may be staying at the lodge during your hunt.
How To Secure A Spot Every Year?
You may reserve a spot each year by signing a year-to-year contract. Please ask about this if you are interested.
Deposit Policy
A payment of 50% of your total hunt is due when making your reservations if it is before June 1st. If it is after June 1st, the full deposit will be due at the time of booking.
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel before June 1st of year arriving at Harpole’s Heartland Lodge, your deposit will be refunded less 10% of total hunt. No refunds are given after June 1st.
Arriving A Day Early
You are encouraged to arrive a day early to get settled in after traveling (If available). This allows an extra day before your hunt in case of any travel delays with your flight or gear. It also gives you an extra day to do some site seeing or take in a day/half day of wing-shooting and sporting clays (Must be reserved in advance).
Transportation
Lambert St. Louis International Airport is the closest major airport. For private planes, Quincy and Pittsfield airports are the closest. Visit our directions page for directions for driving to the lodge.
Enjoy hunting for some of the largest whitetail buck sheds in North America. All you have to do is book a room at the lodge and you have access to our properties on the days you are staying. Go to our shed antler hunting page for more info.
The buck pictured on the right is called the “Goody” buck. This buck was found while shed hunting. If you would like to read the amazing story, just go to “The Goody Buck.”
- Your bow or gun
- Gore-Tex or rain gear
- Knee high rubber boots (Recommended)
- Orange hat and vest (Gun only)
- Bow or gun case (Required)
- Rattling antlers (Optional)
- Grunt tube (Optional)
- Pull up rope
- Safety harness are required
- Binoculars (Optional)
- Flashlight (Optional)
- Hand warmers (Optional)
- Camera (Optional)
- Cooler (Optional)
- Slippers or heavy socks (Shoes are removed in mud room)
- Range finder (Optional)
Harpole’s Heartland Lodge strives to give our guests the best experience possible. We understand that your upcoming trip is a significant investment. We offer trip insurance through North America’s leading provider of Travel Insurance called “Travel Guard”.
There are many circumstances that could change your plans. Please take a few minutes to learn how you can protect yourself. If you choose to decline this valuable coverage, you are assuming any financial loss associated with a cancellation or a change in your travel arrangements.
If you are looking for a rewarding and fulfilling job as a whitetail hunting guide at one of the best whitetail hunting outfitters in the country, look no further than Heartland Lodge!
All of our whitetail hunting guides are experienced, accomplished deer hunters. We manage over 5,000 acres of the best whitetail hunting habitat in the country for trophy whitetails. We put in several acres of food plots, run trail cameras and scout year-around. Whether it be glassing summer bean fields in July or shed hunting in February, you will be hard-pressed to find more compassionate deer hunting guides. Our guides take great pride in our ability to pattern deer and give our clients the best guided deer hunting experience available. Please follow the link below for more information.
