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Shed Hunting Illinois 2025 Update

Shed Buck Trail Camera Picture

January 28th, 2025- Illinois Shed Hunting Update: We’re at the very beginning of shed season here in West Central Illinois. We have had a cold and snow covered January here in Pike and Calhoun counties. With a warm spell the next few days, it should help to melt the remaining snow off the ground and make for good shed hunting conditions. Typically, when we have more severe weather, sheds are easier to find since whitetails congregate closer to quality food sources such as standing or cut grains, winter wheat, brassica food plots, etc. and bed predictably on nearby sunny, Southern slopes.

2025 Shed Hunting Illinois/ Late January Update

Large Shed Antler on Southern Slope I would estimate that roughly 20-30% of bucks have started shedding their antlers in Pike and Calhoun Counties. Driving around and glassing in the evenings, I’ve noticed whitetails are still hitting green fields, pastures, corn and bean fields routinely. Over the next week or so, more mild temperatures are on the way. Want to know the simple answer to finding more deer sheds this spring? Cover more ground! Many of the “best” shed hunters I know simply cover more acres than the average shed hunter. In my experience, I average a deer shed about every 5 miles of ground covered.

Looking for a Place to Shed Hunt in Illinois?

Picture of the inside of one of the luxury cabins Heartland Lodge offers shed hunting on their 1,500-acre OHV park located in Pike County, IL. To gain access to shed hunt, all you need to do is make an Overnight Reservation Here >>, or give us a call at 217-734-2526. Bring an ATV or UTV to cover more ground! Check out the ATV Park Map Here >>. You get to keep any sheds you find!

For more tips and tactics on shed hunting check out our shed hunting blogs-

Good luck this shed hunting season! I hope you find your biggest shed yet!

Zach Jumps
Zach@HeartlandLodge.com

Last Updated: January 28th, 2025

8 thoughts on “Shed Hunting Illinois 2025 Update”

    1. Hi Josh, check out our other shed hunting blogs by clicking on the links at the bottom of this article. We have several on tips to help you out! Thanks.

      Reply

  3. Hi James! Thanks for reaching out! To shed hunt, you would just need to book an overnight reservation in any lodge or cabin. Yes, you get to keep the sheds you find. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Thank you!

    Reply

  4. can you give me a price for two for a week in february at your lodge ant utv rental for shed hunting thanks

    Reply

  5. I wanted to come up and do some shed hunting for a few days and stay at the cabins you have are the antlers dropping yet

    Reply

  6. Good evening. We are very interested in shed hunting early spring this year
    I’m curious how many shed hunters are typically on your property. We are looking for a great spot in Illinois. We are from NY
    Thanks in advance.

    Reply

  7. Hey I was wondering if we can bring are camper down there and shed hunt

    And also how much is it to shed hunt on the property

    Reply

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