Heartland’s Family Hunting Tradition
Growing up, I loved hunting more than I did Christmas (my mom will attest to it.) I loved coming to my grandparent’s house. My grandma was like Aunt Bee from the Andy Griffith show. It didn’t matter if you showed up unannounced on Monday, Wednesday or Saturday, she would have a kitchen full of homemade pies, cakes and other food. She loved making everything from scratch. Many of the recipes you will enjoy while staying at Heartland were my grandmother’s.
I had many uncles and cousins that loved hunting as well. We hunted deer, quail, pheasant, ducks, geese, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons and other animals. If it was in season, we hunted it. We each had different dogs to use. They included pointers, labs, beagles and coonhounds.
My grandfather passed away around the time I started Heartland Lodge. (My grandmother had already passed.) Unfortunately, my aunts and uncles started fighting over what little my grandfather had. My mom’s family grew up very poor. They didn’t have an outhouse until my mom was in 8th grade! My family tradition was over when my grandfather passed.
About 10 years ago, a light went off inside me when doing a welcome meeting with some hunters who visit Heartland Lodge every year. I realized my family tradition didn’t end… it’s being carried on by you, the hunters, who visit Heartland Lodge. Many of the hunters also have made visiting Heartland Lodge a part of their own tradition.
As I get a little older and a bit wiser, I reflect back to the memories of hunting with my family as a child growing up. The most cherished memories are not the deer or other game we harvested, but the memories created from time spent with family and friends. The harvest was a bonus. That is what hunting and Heartland Lodge is all about, creating memories that you will always cherish.
You are part of our Heartland Family! I look forward to you making new memories and creating traditions that last a lifetime.
Gary
Gary Harpole
Harpole’s Heartland Lodge
217-734-2526
Last Updated: January 20th, 2022
Can you send me prices for 2 hunters on each one of your hunts please.
I’m really looking forward to spending time with everyone up there, I also grew up hunting my whole life with family and friends, today the time with friends and family spent hunting means more than the hunt itself. I would really like to try pheasant hunting while there, it’s on my bucket list. Thank you