Waterfowl Hunting in Illinois

Waterfowl hunitng dog retrieving a duck in Illinois

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 flooded fields in cozy dry pits!Shooting Sporstman Endorsed Lodge

Hunt large Canada geese or fast action Snow geese during our Canada and Snow goose seasons!

Orvis endorsed wingshooting lodge logoMany 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.

Waterfowl Hunting Conditions

Views from the duck blindWe provide pits and blinds located in flooded and dry 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.

 
Waterfowl Hunting Options

Duck Hunting River Guides IllinoisDuck 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.)

 
Duck Hunting: October - December

Waterfowl Decoy Setup Sunrise

Our duck hunts take place in a couple different locations. We offer pits in flooded fields and along the Mississippi river. 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 be doing the calling and even fix you a hot breakfast right in the blind.

More On Our Duck Hunts

 
Canada Goose Only Season: January

Canadian Goose Hunting DecoysHunt Canada geese out of flooded fields with pits or along the Mississippi river. We have a great local Canadian geese population.

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.

Our guides are world champion goose callers! Hunters enjoy the phenomenal calling skills and tips they learn in the field.

You do not need waders when hunting Canada geese.

 
Snow Goose Hunts: February - March

Snow goose blind set up 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.

More On Our Snow Goose Hunts

 
Waterfowl Hunting Packages

A successful day in the goose blindWaterfowl hunts are available from late October to March 31st. Illinois 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.
 
Create your own hunting traditions!

Your stay with us is more than a waterfowl hunt. It’s part of a strong hunting tradition that started back when Heartland originated nearly three decades ago. 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.

 
Miscellaneous Information

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 in a covered pole barn area. 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 our office in advance to reserve a gun. 217-734-2526

Shells
We have shells available for sale at the lodge for 20 and 12 gauges.

 
Reservation Information

Please call our office at 217-734-2526 or e-mail us at info@heartlandlodge.com to book reservations.

Call to Book CLICK TO CALL

Where 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!

 
What To Bring
  • Your gun
  • Shooting glasses
  • Comfortable boots
  • Camera (Optional)
  • Cooler (Optional)
  • Slippers or heavy socks (Shoes are removed in mud room)
  • Comfortable shirt and pants
 
Duck/Goose & Upland Combo Hunting Rates
Waterfowl / Upland Combo (End of Oct – End of Dec. Call for dates.)
Four night, three day hunt $4,065
Three night, two day hunt $2,750
Add $75/Day for Premium Upland Hunt or $150/Day for Double Premium Upland Hunt
*Gun rentals available $95 per day. Must reserve ahead of time.
* Includes guides, dogs, meals, accommodations, game cleaning, & packaging

Canada Goose / Upland Combo (End of Dec. – Jan 31 )
Two Hunters Minimum: Four night, three day hunt $2,980/each
Two Hunters Minimum: Three night, two day hunt $2,020/each
Two Hunters Minimum: Two night, one day hunt $1,070/each
Two Hunters Minimum: One night, one day hunt $955/each
Gun Rentals Available $95 per day. Must reserve ahead of time.
Add $75/Day for Premium Upland Hunt or $150/Day for Double Premium Upland Hunt
* Includes guides, dogs, meals, accommodations, game cleaning, & packaging

Snow Goose / Upland Combo ( Feb. 1st – Mar. 31st )
Two Hunters Minimum: Four night, three day hunt $3,360/each
Two Hunters Minimum: Three night, two day hunt $2,280/each
Two Hunters Minimum: Two night, one day hunt $1,195/each
Gun Rentals Available $95 per day. Must reserve ahead of time.
SOLO HUNTER DATES 2025 (March 22nd & 23rd, 2025)
Add $75/Day for Premium Upland Hunt or $150/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 $2,565
Two night, two day duck hunt $1,710
* Includes guides, dogs, meals, accommodations, game cleaning, & packaging. Waterfowl hunts end at 11:00.

 
Snow Goose Hunting Rates
Snow Goose / Upland Combo ( Feb. 1st – Mar. 31st )
Two Hunters Minimum: Four night, three day hunt $3,360/each
Two Hunters Minimum: Three night, two day hunt $2,280/each
Two Hunters Minimum: Two night, one day hunt $1,195/each
Gun Rentals Available $95 per day. Must reserve ahead of time.
SOLO HUNTER DATES 2025 (March 22nd & 23rd, 2025)
Add $75/Day for Premium Upland Hunt or $150/Day for Double Premium Upland Hunt
* Includes guides, dogs, meals, accommodations, game cleaning, & packaging

Snow Goose All Day ( Feb 1 – Mar 31 )
Two Hunters Minimum: Four night, three day hunt $2,605/each
Two Hunters Minimum: Three night, two day hunt $1,775/each
Two Hunters Minimum: Two night, one day hunt $944/each
Combo Snow Goose/Upland is Recommended
Gun Rentals Available $95 per day. Must reserve in advance.
SOLO HUNTER DATES 2025 (March 22nd & 23rd, 2025)
* Includes guides, dogs, meals, accommodations, game cleaning, & packaging

Single Hunters Welcome: Please give us a call for single hunter dates!

 
Trip Insurance

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.

Get Travel Guard Trip Insurance

 
Heartland Lodge

10236 393rd St.
Nebo, IL
62355

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