General Hunting Blog

pheasant and dog shot sizes

In this State-to-State pheasant hunting comparison, we take an in-depth look at the different hunting style, habitat features and pros/cons for pheasant hunting in each state. South Dakota Pheasant Hunting South Dakota is well known for its pheasant hunting and for good reason. Thousands of acres of flat fields filled with pheasants makes hunting South

Christmas time at heartland lodge

Start your next family holiday tradition this season at Heartland Lodge! This year we are offering our “Family Holiday Upland/ Waterfowl Combo Hunt Package”! There’s no better way to experience a Midwestern Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s than at the lodge! Bring home delicious upland game and waterfowl to your next family holiday get-together. I

Shot sizes & loads for pheasants and quail

An In-Depth Look at Shot Sizes, Loads & Chokes for Pheasant & Quail Hunting A good deal of my experience comes from 55+ years of hunting quail and pheasants, mostly in Illinois, but more recently in other states and involving other species. Reloading experience comes from shooting skeet since 1985 and loading many 100’s of

Great day of snow goose hunting

Enjoy a solo snow goose or snow goose/ pheasant combo hunt this spring! Snow goose hunting along the Mississippi and Illinois river flyways can be some of the most exciting and action-packed wingshooting available! There are no limits during the spring conservation snow goose season! You will hunt out of very comfortable heated, pit blinds.

Snow goose blind set up

January 5th, 2023- Illinois Snow Goose Hunting Report- “If you are interested in bringing a group of friends & family or coming as a *solo hunter for the upcoming Illinois snow goose season, now is the time to reserve your 2024 spring snow goose hunt! We had several groups rebook this year and are filling

Opening week archery hunting

Prime hunt spots are filling up fast! E-mail Zach@HeartlandLodge.com or call 217-982-4039 to reserve your 2024 whitetail hunt today! We are celebrating our 29th year anniversary in 2024 and we would enjoy having you celebrate with us on a whitetail hunt of a lifetime. If you are looking for a free-range, all-inclusive whitetail deer hunting

Family Hunting Vacation Trips

Are you looking for a family friendly hunting trip for your next family vacation? Harpole’s Heartland Lodge specializes in creating family-friendly hunting memories that you and the rest of your family will cherish for seasons to come! For nearly three decades, Heartland Lodge has offered family hunting vacations including deer, upland, waterfowl and turkey hunting

Heartland Lodge Outfitters offers bow and firearm hunts

Rifle Hunting in Illinois Deer Hunting Laws The new rifle hunting laws in Illinois allow for a “single” shot or a rifle with the ability to only hold one shell and no other multi-shell magazines be in possession of the hunter. The list of legal rifles in Illinois can be found HERE >> on the

early season bowhunting whitetail hunting in illinois

There’s something magical about bowhunting October in Pike County, Illinois. The leaves are a brilliant array of different colors, overall deer movement is generally very good, and mature buck daytime movement is increasing. At the lodge, after several months of trail camera scouting, food plot preparation, and fine tuning our treestand set ups, we get

shed hunting tips and tactics, where to look

March 13th, 2024- Illinois Shed Hunting Update: Shed season is in full swing here in West Central Illinois. We have had above average temperatures and very little precipitation across Illinois. Typically, when we have more severe weather, sheds are easier to find since the deer congregate closer to quality food sources such as standing or