Wild Quail Hunting Lodge

Orvis endorsed wingshooting lodge logo

Hunting wild quail in Illinois, especially in Pike County, has been a tradition that goes back to when settlers first arrived in the area. The native prairie grasses of Illinois are ideal habitat for coveys of wild quail. With the introduction of farming and fence rows providing extra cover, quail flourish in Illinois.

Our guided quail hunts here at the Lodge are the best you will find. Our Orvis Endorsed Quail hunting lodge and resort not only has phenomenal quail hunting, quality dogs, and professional guides but also has gourmet homecooked meals and lodging options.

Upland Bird Hunting LodgeHunting quail behind our pointing dogs can be an exciting experience. We hunt along milo food plots, native prairie grasses, overgrown thickets, and thick fence rows. The habitat on our quail hunting areas provides great cover and phenomenal quail hunting opportunities.

Local airport pickup available from Pittsfield Penstone Municipal Airport (KPPQ). Only 20 minutes from the lodge! JetA and Avgas available at this airport. 4,000 ft. of asphalt. Convenient helicopter landing access on-site.

Sign up for our wing-shooting emails to be the FIRST to know about quail hunting promotions!  You will also receive free “The ten secrets to establishing a native upland bird population”, “The ten most important dog training steps” & “Ten myths about upland birds”, “Choosing the right wing-shooting lodge.”

Sign Up Now

 

Quail Hunting Tradition at Heartland Lodge

 
Quail hunting at Heartland Lodge, Dog on pointCreate your own hunting traditions!

Your stay with us is more than a quail hunt. Each year, new traditions and memories are being created by our guests. The most cherished memories are not the game we harvested, but the memories created from time spent with family and friends. That is what hunting at Heartland Lodge is all about, creating legacy memories that you will always cherish.

 
Georgia Quail Hunting vs. Illinois Quail Hunting Trips

 
Bird hunting dog hunting quail in Illinois.When comparing Illinois quail hunting to Georgia quail hunting, there are not many differences. The tradition in Georgia is to hunt from buggies or jeeps that follow behind pointing dogs. The quail’s habitat is native Georgia grasses mixed with some pines.

Illinois quail hunting is very traditional, much like hunting “Uncle Lyle’s farm” when you were young, complete with fence rows, timber edges, and CRP fields. Quail hunts are mostly done behind some type of pointing dog. Since most of Illinois from Central Illinois through the North has both pheasant and quail, you never know what might flush. The anticipation can be very exciting!

The advantage of hunting Illinois for quail is the style of hunting. Hunting behind well-trained pointing dogs on farms like you hunted growing up can only be found in the Midwest. Both Illinois and Georgia have great quail hunting though and if you choose the right location and guide, you should be able to limit out on your quail hunt.

FAQ

 
Larger Group/ Corporate Group Quail Hunts

 
Great Group of Friends HuntingHeartland prides itself on the personalized service it provides to everyone hunting with us. Single, double and small groups are very special to us, as we get to know the hunters on a personal basis. But our offerings aren’t limited to small groups alone. Heartland is equipped to handle larger groups and provide the same exceptional service to each hunter within a larger group. We have plenty of birds, fields, guides and dogs to make Heartland the ideal location for larger groups.

We host several Corporate Retreats for our quail hunters every year. For more information on our Corporate Quail Hunting Retreats Click Here>>

Gun Rentals- We have shotguns available to rent for $85 per day. Please call-in advance if you would like to rent a gun (217-734-2526). Renting one of our shotguns is much easier than taking one through an airline!

FAQ

 
Illinois Quail Hunt Easy Travel - #1 Quail Hunting Lodge in Illinois

 
Another advantage to quail hunting in Illinois, is the travel. Traveling to Georgia can take a full day or more of your vacation time if you are driving. Getting to Heartland Lodge is very convenient. We are centrally located in the United States, making travel short from any direction. Most of our guests fly into St Louis, Missouri, and enjoy the scenic drive up the Mississippi River to our lodge.

For more information on our pheasant hunts go to our main upland bird hunting page or directly to Illinois pheasant hunting. For more information on the other hunting trips that we offer from whitetail deer to ducks, check out our main Illinois hunting page.

Arriving A Day Early

You are encouraged to arrive a day early to get settled in after traveling (If available). This allows an extra day before your hunt in case of any travel delays with your flight or gear. It also gives you an extra day to do some site seeing or shoot a round of sporting clays. (Must be reserved in advance).

FAQ

 
Quail Hunting Lodging Options

 
Your upland hunt includes an Original Lodge Standard Room with either two twin beds or bunk beds and a private bathroom, booked double occupancy. Private rooms and suite/lodge buyout options listed below are available for an additional nightly fee.

Sunset Valley Lodge- The Perfect Private Corporate Upland Hunting Lodge.
Atv/ Utv Riding Trails

Sunset Valley. The name of this lodge says it all. The view from the expansive rear deck as the sun sets over the horizon of the Mississippi River bluffs will take your breath away. This 10,180 square foot luxury upland hunting lodge features seven suites and rooms. You can reserve an individual suite or the entire lodge for your group. This lodge has a great outdoor entertainment area along with a game room downstairs. Perfect for corporate upland retreats looking for a private lodge. Sunset Valley Lodge is located 1 mile from the main lodges where meals are served. (meals are served in the Prairie Ridge Lodge)

The All About the View room is known for Jennifer Aniston & Justin Theroux staying in this suite. This room was also featured in the Chicago Tribune’s “10 Great Hotel Rooms in the Midwest”.

More information on Sunset Valley Lodge

Prairie Ridge Luxury Lodge- Luxury Suites with Jetted Tubs & Fireplace.
Luxury rooms for upland huntingPrairie Ridge Lodge is named after the prairie grasses that surround the resort that hold native quail and pheasants. This lodge is also known as our premier wing-shooting lodge as it has over 10,000 square feet of luxurious warmth and features seven luxury suites with hot tubs and fireplaces. All seven of the luxury suites are designed the same but each one is decorated with its own theme, each theme having significant meaning related to the lodge property. The focal point is the hand-made chandlers in the dining room. Two feature and upland theme and one a waterfowl theme.

Check out one of our upland hunter’s favorite luxury suite options- Pheasant Ridge Suite & Covey Suite.

Each room also has its own private Adirondack chairs on the deck where you can relax first thing in the morning enjoying a cup of coffee before heading out to the upland fields. After a long day afield, relax on the deck with your favorite beverage or bottle of wine. The ultra-comfy beds have become an attraction themselves!

More Information on the Prairie Ridge Lodge

Luxury Upland Cabins -Most Popular Option for Hunting Honeymooners.
Private Luxury Cabins Enjoy a private luxury cabin that was built with upland hunting couples in mind. Each cabin is decorated with its own unique theme. All cabins are carefully crafted with knotty pine and cedar walls, fifteen-foot vaulted ceilings, hand-carved Old Hickory furniture, fixtures and appliances. Each cabin with hot tub and fireplace also features an ultra-comfy, king-size bed, large 4K HD television with 4K Blu-ray player, relaxing private deck with barbeque grill, kitchen, and private fire pit to roast marshmallows or to make your own s’mores. When staying at these upland cabins, hunters can easily walk to the main lodge.
The Quail Ridge Cabin- Secluded Wingshooting Cabin with a View.

Quail Ridge Dining AreaQuail Ridge offers a peaceful, private getaway in the serenity of nature that offers complete seclusion and privacy! This cabin is decorated with its own unique theme- a mix of carefully crafted knotty pine walls, twenty-foot vaulted ceilings, large recreation/ dining room with fireplace, high-quality fixtures and appliances. Relax and enjoy the expansive views overlooking the pristine countryside from the Western facing back patio with comfortable seating for your friends and family. Once the sun sets, enjoy roasting marshmallows and eating smore’s over the bonfire pit in the backyard while reminiscing about the days hunt.

More Details about the Quail Ridge Cabin

Lodging Options are based on availability. Please call 217-734-2526 to discuss available options for your next upland hunt.

 
Ten Tips for Hunting Quail in Illinois

 

  • If possible, warm up with a round of sporting clays. Practice with multi-pairs. This will help you be more successful in the field and better enjoy your hunt.
  • When the covey flushes, focus on a single quail at a time.  Many hunters don’t pick out one bird to shoot and shoot into the entire covey.  As a result, they end up missing all the birds.
  • Keep your head down on the barrel. Many hunters get distracted with the covey flush and take their head off the barrel.
  • Safety is always the most important part of hunting.  Keep your safety on your gun until you are next to the dogs on point.
  • Keep your gun pointed up at all times until you are ready to mount it on your shoulder.
  • Always be aware of your surroundings especially other hunters and dogs.  Avoid shooting any quail that are flying low or close to dogs or hunters.
  • Always wear a solid orange hat and vest.
  • Be aware what is behind the bird in the background.  Vehicles and buildings can be accidently shot if you are not paying attention.
  • When shooting single or multiple quail be sure to mark where the birds land.
  • A higher recovery rate happens when you stay in the same spot you shot the birds and direct another hunter or guide with dogs to the location the quail landed.
 
Interesting Facts About Wild Bobwhite Quail

 

  • There are 22 different bobwhite quail subspecies in 38 states in the US and also in Mexico. The males of the species vary much more than the females.
  • The purpose of the well know call, “Bob, Bob White” of the male quail is to attract a mate and to warn off other males from his territory.
  • Wild Quail mate and nest from late April until early October.
  • During the nesting season females can produce three successful nests.
  • Each male bobwhite selects a territory in which to nest.  The female is responsible for building a nest located on the ground and lays 12-15 eggs per clutch.
  • Quail generally locate their nest within 50 feet from the edge of cover.
  • A hen may lay and incubate a clutch of eggs, or she may leave the nest to her mate to incubate. She will then move to another area, select another mate and lay a second or often a third clutch of eggs.
  • One egg a day is the normal rate for a hen.
  • 47-55 days is the average nesting cycle which includes the site selection and construction.
  • Males are successful in incubating and even raising a brood without the help from a hen.  About 30% of nests are incubated by males.
  • Chick’s survival is equal despite the sex of the adult raising them.
 
Eight Basic Habitats Wild Quail Need

 

Eight Basic Habitats Quail Need

Nesting Area

The preferred nesting area includes but not limited to a mix of erect grasses, forbs, and scattered shrubs or bushes at a moderate density and height.

Brood Area

In brood area, cover should be dominated by plants that are well spaced and have study stems and little vegetation near the ground.  Overhead foliage must be dense enough to provide sufficient cover for chicks and adults protections from predators.

Feeding Area

Spring and Summer:  Some weed seeds and plant greens are eaten. Insects being higher in protein are eaten and provide 80%-95% of a chick’s diet within the first few weeks.

Fall and Winter:  Perennial forbs, fruit bearing woody plants, grass seed, phonic, crab and foxtail grasses, the seed from oak and hickory trees and the left-over grain from farm fields provide the largest portion of nutrition for quail.

Roosting Area

Roosting in probably the only quail activity that does not require dense overhead cover. Research shows that quail use crop fields, grasslands and old fields for roosting.  Quail will roost on bare soil and vegetation litter such as old leaves, grass, etc.  They also prefer mid slope or lower elevation for roosting.

Escape Area

The escape area includes a thicket of trees, blackberry and other bushes, and vines.  Piles of brush, treetops and heavily planted food plots also provide a good escape area.

Dusting Area

Any bare soil or soil disturbance such as cattle paths, ant hills, watering holes, roads and trails is where you will see most quail dusting themselves.

Covey Headquarters

This is the area that the quail will gather usually in mid-day. Covey Headquarters can be in any of the above areas.

 
Upland Bird Hunting Rates (September-April)

 

Traditional Upland Hunts (During Wild Bird Season)
(4 Cock Pheasants and 8 Quail limits, 2 Woodcock during season only)
Four night, three day bird hunt $3,000
Three night, two day bird hunt $2,040
Two night, one day bird hunt $1,075
Daily (no accommodations) $845
Premium Upland Hunts
(No limits Pheasant and Quail) More Birds!!
Four night, three day bird hunt $3,300
Three night, two day bird hunt $2,240
Two night, one day bird hunt $1,175
Daily (no accommodations) $945
Double Premium Upland Hunts – For those who like to shoot ALOT!
(No limits Pheasant and Quail) Lots of Birds!!
Five night, four day bird hunt $4,800
Four night, three day bird hunt $3,600
Three night, two day bird hunt $2,440
Two night, one day bird hunt $1,275
Daily (no accommodations) $1,045
Half-Day (no accommodations) $515
*Gun rentals available $95 per day. Must reserve ahead of time.
* Includes guides, dogs, meals, accommodations, game cleaning, & packaging.
* Single Hunter – $150 extra per full day.
* See below for private rooms, luxury suites, & extra guests.

Golden Feather Experience Package Rates
Four night, three day hunt (Solo Hunter) $8,650
Four night, three day hunt (2 Hunters) $8,450/ each
Four night, three day hunt (3 Hunters) $8,250/ each
Four night, three day hunt (4 or more Hunters) $8,050 each
Available September through April.
* Includes 4 nights & 3 days of upland hunting, meals, game cleaning, luxury suite lodging, photography session, custom-made keepsakes, alcoholic beverages, airport transportation to and from Pittsfield, IL airport, 3 full days of no limit pheasant and quail hunting, 12 or 20 gauge shotgun rentals, shells included, full round of clays, on-site concierge services.

Non-hunting guests welcome! $1,500 each
Click here for more information about our Golden Feather Experience Hunt >>

 
Heartland Lodge

10236 393rd St.
Nebo, IL
62355

Close
Snow Goose/ Pheasant Combo Hunts!Book Now >>