Waterfowl Hunting in Illinois
November 5th, 2018- Illinois Waterfowl Hunting Report- BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES! MAJOR COLD FRONT COMING Hunters get ready! That cold we have been waiting on is coming all at once! A winter storm system is sweeping out of the northwest and is headed towards our neck of the woods. A plunge of at least 30 degrees is supposed to happen overnight. From NOAA : “ A powerful storm system is bringing heavy snow and blizzard conditions to the Upper Midwest; and thunderstorms, some severe, into portions of the Plains this evening. This weather system will spread areas of heavy snow, including lake effect snow, and strong winds creating areas of blowing and drifting snow across the Great Lakes; and widespread rain from the Northeast to the Deep South on Tuesday”
Here at the lodge we have been working hard preparing for this change in weather and are ready for the cold! The heaters have been placed in the blinds and the ice eaters are in the spreads ready to keep the hole open! And of course, plenty of hot breakfast will be had in the blind as well! We plan on being there to witness the show of new ducks arriving! We hope you are too! 
Heartland Lodge and Illinois waterfowl hunting cannot be compared to any other duck hunting area in the United States. Hunt diver ducks such as canvasbacks along the great Mississippi & Illinois Rivers, or Mallards, Wood Ducks, and Teal in the flooded bean, corn and millet fields.
Hunt large Canada geese or fast action Snow geese during our Canada and Snow goose seasons!
Many of our waterfowl hunters add a pheasant and quail hunt in the afternoon for a perfect day in the field!
The experience doesn’t end in the field. You’ll instantly feel comfortable with home-cooked meals and friendly staff who are always at Heartland Lodge.
We provide pits and blinds located in flooded corn, bean, and millet fields. We like to take groups of 2-8 duck hunters. Pits and blinds are heated. Guests are driven to within a short walking distance of pits, shortly before legal shooting hours. Our professional waterfowl hunting guide will have decoys set and dog in place in anticipation of the morning’s excitement.
Ducks Unlimited filmed the following video at our place:
Duck Hunting – Hunt mallards, pintail, widgeon, gadwall, wood ducks, and teal along with Canadian geese from our flooded fields. (End of October through mid December)
Canada Goose – Canada goose hunting can be during some of the duck hunting dates. The Canada geese only season is from right after Christmas to the end of January.
Snow Goose – Snow goose hunting is normally the middle of February to the end of March.
Combo Hunt – Add a pheasant & quail hunt in the afternoon for a perfect day in the field.
For all our waterfowl hunts we recommend adding an upland hunt in the afternoon. All of our waterfowl hunts end at 11:00 unless other arrangements are made. (Snow goose hunts are all day unless an afternoon upland hunt is added.)
Our duck hunts are on 300 acres of flooded corn, beans and millet. Pits are heated and in the middle of our flooded fields. Habitat has been managed for waterfowl in this location for over 20 years. Professional guides will transport you straight to the pit for each hunt. They will also doing the calling and even fix you a hot breakfast right in the blind.
If you have waders please bring them. If you don’t have waders we have some available in limited sizes. Please let us know if advance if you need waders.
Hunt Canada geese out of a large 10 man heated pit on 75 acres of winter wheat that connects to our 300 acre managed habitat area. Or hunt our 6 man heated blind over water.
Large spreads and professional guides will not only do the calling but will also fix you a hot breakfast right in the blind. There is also a chance at bonus specklebellies and snows during this hunt.
You do not need waders when hunting Canada geese.
Enjoy plenty of action on a snow goose hunt! There are NO LIMITS, NO PLUGS, massive decoy spreads, comfortable blinds, hot breakfast and professional guides. You will enjoy hunting over winter wheat fields that are looking great for this snow goose season!
The best time to hunt snow geese is late February to early March. We have experienced great shooting through the end of March as well. While weather is always a factor, when the geese are here, the slowest day of shooting we have had is 4 and the best day was 250! This can be one of the most exciting hunts you will ever experience.
Waterfowl hunts are available from late October to March 31st. Illinios duck hunting season is anticipated to open the last Saturday in October, running 60 days consecutive, through December. Illinois Canada goose hunting will run in conjunction with duck season but will continue through the end of January. Snow goose hunting starts the end of February and runs until the end of March.
Four-Night, Three-Day Duck & Upland Combo Hunting Package – Arrive the day before your hunt, between 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Hunt for three days and depart after breakfast on the fifth day.
Three-Night, Two-Day Duck & Upland Combo Hunting Package – Arrive the day before the hunt, between 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Hunt for two days and depart after breakfast on the fourth day.
If limiting out early on duck hunting or if the ducks are not flying one day, an optional late morning upland hunt or round of sporting clays may be arranged. (A waterfowl hunt can be exchanged for a full morning upland hunt at no charge. However, there is a charge to change an upland hunt to a waterfowl hunt.) All non-scheduled changes are subject to availability of personnel.
We recommend combination hunts with waterfowl in the morning and upland in the afternoon!
Hunting Licenses:
Waterfowl hunting licenses can be purchased online by going to our hunting links page, or direct at IDNR Hunting License. You will need to purchase the following:
- Five Day Hunting License or Full Season Hunting License
- Illinois Migratory Waterfowl Stamp
- Federal Stamps can be purchased at your local sporting goods store or post office.
Bringing Your Own Dog
You may bring your own dog. The fee is $25 each night if staying in our kennel. Our kennels are outside and are 5′ x 10′. Our waterfowl guides will not use their own dogs with client dogs. (Dogs are not allowed inside the lodges.)
We are not responsible for the quality of your hunt when using your own dog. Make sure your dog is in shape and is accustomed to hunting our conditions.
Sporting Clays
It is recommended that all hunters shoot a practice round of sporting clays the day before duck hunting. Please try to arrive around 3:00 p.m. the day before your hunt to shoot sporting clays. It is recommended that you schedule sporting clays in advance if you would like to shoot during your stay.
Visit our sporting clays course page for more information.
Gun Rental
We have guns available for rent. Please call in advance to reserve a gun.
Shells
We have shells available for sale at the lodge for 20 and 12 gauges.
Please call our office at 1-800-717-4868 or e-mail us at info@heartlandlodge.com to book reservations. Rates starting as low as $630.
CLICK TO CALLWhere 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 are booking a fall hunt (September-January), all balances must be paid by September 1st. A process fee of 10% of your total booking will be charged when canceling. After September 1st, your entire deposit will be lost. If someone in your original booking does not show, you will be charged the full amount of original amount booked. These policies will help us provide you better service.
Transportation
Lambert St. Louis International Airport is the closest major airport. For private planes, Quincy, Jacksonville, and Pittsfield airports are the closest. Visit our directions page for directions for driving to the lodge.
Open All Year
Come to Heartland for a get-away. This will give you the opportunity to check out the Lodge prior to booking a hunting trip. We are open all year. Our Illinois resort section has activities available for everyone to enjoy throughout the year!
- Your gun
- Shooting glasses
- Comfortable boots
- Camera (Optional)
- Cooler (Optional)
- Slippers or heavy socks (Shoes are removed in mud room)
- Comfortable shirt and pants
| Waterfowl / Upland Combo (End of Oct - End of Dec. Call for dates.) | |
| Four night, three day hunt | $3,395 |
| Three night, two day hunt | $2,300 |
| Add $50/Day for Premium Upland Hunt or $100/Day for Double Premium Upland Hunt | |
| * Includes guides, dogs, meals, accommodations, game cleaning, & packaging | |
| Canada Goose / Upland Combo ( Dec 26 - Jan 31 ) | |
|---|---|
| Two Hunters Minimum: Four night, three day hunt | $2,660/each |
| Two Hunters Minimum: Three night, two day hunt | $1,810/each |
| Two Hunters Minimum: Two night, one day hunt | $960/each |
| Snow Goose / Upland Combo ( Feb 1 - Mar 31 ) | |
|---|---|
| Two Hunters Minimum: Four night, three day hunt | $2,810/each |
| Two Hunters Minimum: Three night, two day hunt | $1,910/each |
| Two Hunters Minimum: Two night, one day hunt | $1,010/each |
| Solo Hunters contact us for single hunter dates. | |
| Add $50/Day for Premium Upland Hunt or $100/Day for Double Premium Upland Hunt | |
| * Includes guides, dogs, meals, accommodations, game cleaning, & packaging | |
| Waterfowl Only Hunts (End of Oct - End of Dec. Call for dates.) | |
|---|---|
| Three night, three day duck hunt | $2,280 |
| Two night, two day duck hunt | $1,520 |
| * Includes guides, dogs, meals, accommodations, game cleaning, & packaging. Waterfowl hunts end at 11:00. | |
| Snow Goose / Upland Combo ( Feb 1 – Mar 31 ) | |
|---|---|
| Two Hunters Minimum: Four night, three day hunt | $2,810/each |
| Two Hunters Minimum: Three night, two day hunt | $1,910/each |
| Two Hunters Minimum: Two night, one day hunt | $1,010/each |
| Solo Hunters contact us for single hunter dates. | |
| Add $50/Day for Premium Upland Hunt or $100/Day for Double Premium Upland Hunt | |
| * Includes guides, dogs, meals, accommodations, game cleaning, & packaging | |
| Snow Goose All Day Hunts | |
|---|---|
| Two Hunters Minimum: Four night, three day hunt | $2,330/each |
| Two Hunters Minimum: Three night, two day hunt | $1,590/each |
| Two Hunters Minimum: Two night, one day hunt | $850/each |
| Solo Hunters contact us for single hunter dates. | |
| * Includes guides, dogs, meals, accommodations, game cleaning, & packaging | |
Single Hunters: For those that want to come solo we will be taking single hunters March 6th, & 7th, 2018. Single hunters will hunt with other single hunters this week.
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 cancellation or a change in your travel arrangements.