Heartland Lodge

Heartland Lodge sits in Pike County, Illinois—northeast of St. Louis and southwest of Springfield—right in the heart of the Mississippi and Illinois river waterfowl migration corridors. Every fall, ducks heading south to winter use these flyways to feed on aquatic vegetation and leftover grain. The lodge capitalizes on this natural pattern, offering hunts timed around cold fronts when birds move through in waves.

Your hunt happens in flooded fields with heated pits positioned in the middle. Professional guides transport you directly to your pit, handle all the calling, and—this is a nice touch—cook a hot breakfast right there in the blind. Game cleaning and packaging are included, so you leave with processed birds ready to cook.

Species you might harvest include Pintails, Canvasbacks, Mallards, Wood Ducks, and Teal. The habitat has been managed for ducks for years, and the outfit maintains a track record of action-packed days.

Illinois duck season typically opens the last Saturday in October and runs 60 consecutive days through December. All packages include guides, dogs, meals, accommodations, game cleaning, and packaging.

Waterfowl Only: - Three-night, three-day hunt: $2,565 - Two-night, two-day hunt: $1,710

Duck & Upland Combo (waterfowl mornings, upland afternoons): - Four-night, three-day: $4,065 - Three-night, two-day: $2,750 - Add $75/day for Premium Upland or $150/day for Double Premium Upland

Canada Goose Combos (late Dec–Jan 31, two-hunter minimum): - Four-night, three-day: $2,980/person - Three-night, two-day: $2,020/person - Two-night, one-day: $1,070/person - One-night, one-day: $955/person

Snow Goose Combos (Feb 1–Mar 31, two-hunter minimum): - Four-night, three-day: $3,360/person - Three-night, two-day: $2,280/person - Two-night, one-day: $1,195/person

• •Your own gun (or rent one for $95/day—reserve ahead)
• •Waders
• •Camouflage outerwear
• •Shooting glasses
• •Comfortable shirt and pants
• •Heavy socks or slippers (shoes come off in the mud room)
• •Camera and cooler (optional)

The lodge stocks 12 and 20-gauge shells for sale. Gun rentals are available but must be reserved in advance by calling 217-734-2526.

Heartland pushes the waterfowl/upland combo—ducks in the morning, pheasant or quail in the afternoon. If the waterfowl bite is slow one day, you've got a full backup hunt. The combo structure also lets you create more variety across a longer trip.

You can bring your hunting dog for $25/night in their 5′ × 10′ outdoor kennels. Know that guides won't run their own dogs alongside client dogs, and the lodge isn't responsible for hunt quality when you bring your own.

You'll need: - Five-day or full-season Illinois hunting license - Illinois Migratory Waterfowl Stamp - Federal Duck Stamp (available at sporting goods stores or post offices)

Purchase online at the Illinois DNR Hunting License Page.

A practice round the day before your hunt is recommended. The lodge has a clays course on-site; schedule in advance.

Heartland isn't just a hunting outfitter—it's a full resort open year-round with lodges, cabins, a bed-and-breakfast, ATV rentals, and meeting facilities. Owner Gary Harpole built the operation on a hunting tradition that started in his childhood. The philosophy here is about creating legacy memories with family and friends, not just harvesting game.

"The most cherished memories are not the game we harvested, but the memories created from time spent with family and friends."

• •Nearest Major Airport: Lambert St. Louis International
• •Regional Airports: Quincy, Jacksonville, Pittsfield (better for private planes)
• •Deposit: 50% due when booking; balance due by September 1st for fall hunts
• •Cancellation: 10% processing fee before Sept 1st; full deposit lost after

• •Phone: 217-734-2526
• •Email: [email protected]

Trip insurance through Travel Guard is available and recommended given the investment.