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Turkey Hunting
2013 Turkey Hunting Report
April 22, 2013 - Saturday conditions were perfect for turkey hunting with our hunters being successful. Sunday strong winds made for tougher conditions as the birds didn't want to work as well.
Opening Week -The first week of the 2013 turkey season was affected by heavy rain. Luckily two of our hunter took nice Toms within the first hour of their hunt. Another hunter missed a bird and our fourth hunter was very close several times but never had a good shot.
Listen to Jack Schwiertert describe his turkey hunt on his video.
April, 2013 Update - Prescouting for birds shows a lot of potential for this turkey season if the weather holds out.
Turkey Hunting at Heartland
Heartland Lodge was designed with you, the hunter, in mind. Enjoy turkey hunting in Pike County, Illinois. An abundance of CRP fields mixed with fields of milo and hardwoods present habitat ideal for turkey hunting.
Turkey hunting at Heartland is a favorite among hunters visiting the lodge. This area has a long tradition of turkey hunting. You will enjoy this turkey hunting lodge with three hearty home cooked meals every day. After the hunt, relax next to the large stone fireplace in our Great Room, or enjoy a game of pool in our recreation room. The relaxing atmosphere of the lodge is something you will look forward to after each full day of hunting.
A Turkey Hunting Tradition
Your stay with us is more than a turkey 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 are being created by our guests. It’s our hope that you create your own memories at Heartland with your family or friends and carry on a tradition that started many years ago.
Click the sections below for more information.
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Turkey Hunting Conditions
At Heartland, we hunt a mixture of steep hills, rolling hills, pastures, crop fields, and river bottoms. During your 3-day turkey hunt, you may hunt many of these different terrains. The physical demands of your hunt can vary from mild to challenging, but our turkey hunting guides are more than happy to accommodate your physical limitations and hunting style.
Turkey Hunts
Turkey Hunting Packages
3 night, 3 day hunts - Arrive the night before between 3PM and 5PM.
We have an abundance of free-roaming wild turkeys on our thousands of acres. Your guide will take you on the hunt of a lifetime in some of the most beautiful country that Illinois turkey hunting has to offer. It is a one-on-one hunt with our very friendly and qualified guides, whose mission is your success and enjoyment.
For all turkey 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 at http://dnr.state.il.us.
Youth Turkey Hunts
Youth turkey hunts are a great way to get kids involved in hunting. Our spring turkey hunts are normally very successful, providing a positive experience for a youth hunter. For more information on our youth hunts, go to our youth turkey hunting page.
Miscellaneous Information
Average Turkey:
Most mature gobblers weigh between 20-24 lbs. and have 3/4"- 1 1/2" spurs, and beard lengths of 8"-12". Illinois turkey hunts are for the "Eastern" Sub-species.
Other Activities:
Legal shooting time requires us to quit hunting at 1:00pm. This leaves you plenty of time to relax and enjoy some of the other activities that Heartland has to offer. Sporting clays, wing shooting, fishing, and mushroom hunting are a few of the activities you can participate in.
Size of Groups:
We limit our turkey hunters to eight hunters per week to assure a quality hunt for all.
Reservation Information
Please call our office at 1-800-717-4868 or you can e-mail us at info@heartlandlodge.com to book turkey hunting reservations.
Where Are We?
Heartland Lodge is in Pike County, Illinois, northeast of St. Louis, Missouri and southwest of Springfield, Illinois. Click here for directions and a map.
Deposit Policy
A payment of 50% of your total hunt is due when making your reservations.
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel before January 1st of year arriving at Harpole's Heartland Lodge, your deposit will be refunded less 10% of total hunt. No refunds are given after January 1st of the year of the scheduled hunt.
Transportation
Airport transportation is provided by "Hubb's Transportation." St. Louis, Lambert airport, is the closest major airport. For private planes, Quincy and Pittsfield airports are the closest. For more information you can contact Hubb's Transportation at 800-201-0707. Visit our directions page for directions for driving to the lodge.
Important Turkey Hunting Information
- Illinios turkey hunts are of the Eastern sub-species and 100% wild.
- All hunts are fully guided. Guides will do the calling and the hunters are welcome to call if they would like.
- We hunt on thousands of acres located in Pike and Calhoun Counties.
- The average opportunity rate is approximately 90%.
- We encourage the harvest of mature gobblers only. Jakes are permitted for a first time hunter only.
- Bows are legal.
- Shotguns must be 10 - 20 gauge.
- Shot shells must be no larger than 4 shot and no smaller than 6 shot.
- All guns must be plugged and no able to hold more than 3 shells at a time.
- Hunters may harvest a second bird for an additional $500 if a second permit is held by the hunter for the same season.
- Care of your bird is handled by your guide.
- Smoking Policy - No smoking in lodge or in guides' vehicles.
What To Bring
- Illinois turkey hunting license
- Your bow or gun and case
- Gore-Tex or raingear
- Full camouflage clothing including face mask and gloves
- Turkey calls (Optional)
- Turkey vest or cushion (Optional)
- Binoculars (Optional)
- Camera (Optional)
- Cooler (Optional)
- Slippers or heavy socks (Shoes are removed in mud room)
- Good tick and bug repellent
Trip Insurance
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 cancelation or a change in your travel arrangements.
Please click here for more information
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