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NILO Farms operates as a full-service hunting and shooting sports preserve 30 minutes east of St. Louis in Brighton, Illinois. Built on Winchester's legacy, the property delivers guided wingshooting experiences for hunters and sport shooters of all skill levels. Guests arrive at the historic Clubhou...
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Full description and what we offer
NILO Farms operates as a full-service hunting and shooting sports preserve 30 minutes east of St. Louis in Brighton, Illinois. Built on Winchester's legacy, the property delivers guided wingshooting experiences for hunters and sport shooters of all skill levels.
Guests arrive at the historic Clubhouse—once a modest farmhouse, now lined with photos, plaques, and awards chronicling decades of hunting heritage. After checking in, you'll receive:
The day splits into two parts: morning hunting in the fields with trained dogs, then afternoon sporting clays on the clay course after a midday meal.
Lunch consists of either fried chicken or NILO's world-famous pheasant pot pie. Guests take home boxes of dressed, frozen game birds along with NILO's own recipes for preparation.
For lodging, NILO recommends the DoubleTree in Collinsville, IL (1000 Eastport Plaza Drive) with full-service restaurant and spacious rooms.
The property maintains world-class hunting dogs and employs experienced guides:
| Staff Role | Background |
|---|---|
| Duane Pitts (Manager) | 14 years NILO guide, NSCA Level 1 instructor, raised on the farm |
| Dean Pitts (Supervisor) | Nearly 30 years NILO employee, 30+ years dog training experience, NSCA Level 2 instructor |
| John Eyers (Dog Trainer) | Associate's Degree, passionate about dog training and guest experience |
| Josh Eyers (Dog Trainer) | Working since 2010, focused on conservation and dog training excellence |
| Scott Huschle (Dog Trainer) | Lifetime outdoorsman, specialized waterfowl hunting background |
Dogs eat Purina Pro Plan, NILO's official kennel dog food, ensuring peak conditioning for hunting season.
NILO hosts multiple registered shooting events annually:
Events bring shooters of all skill levels together for clay target competition. White Flyer targets are used to meet consistency standards across all events.
NILO enforces strict firearm safety protocols:
Firearm muzzles always point in safe directions. All guns unloaded when not in use (over-and-unders cracked open, semi-autos with ejection ports open and locked). Shotgun pellets travel up to 500 yards, so clear target areas are non-negotiable. Ear and eye protection mandatory for all shooting activities.
If a gun fails to fire, immediately alert your guide and shooting partners. Keep the gun pointed safely, hand it stock-first to your guide—never try to clear a malfunction yourself.
Winchester | 150+ years in ammunition and firearms innovation Browning | Firearms and ammunition designed to highest performance standards Orvis | Official wingshooting property endorsement Purina Pro Plan | Official NILO kennel dog food
Recent testimonials highlight what sets NILO apart:
"Well-manicured fields, outstanding, well-trained dogs and an ambiance that was warm and inviting." — Randy
"Professional. Personable. Driven to exceptional customer service. And the food…oh boy!" — John
"Your entire team did a fantastic job hosting us and the facility was in great shape for a great event." — Mike (Winchester Sales Team)
The property maintains conservation focus and habitat preservation, staying true to founder John Olin's vision for responsible outdoor recreation.
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