Early Season Whitetail Hunts in Illinois

This is a very exciting week to be in the woods hunting whitetails! There is something special about being the first hunter in a deer stand on opening day of the archery season and the anticipation can be very high. In Illinois, the weather during this time is normally perfect for morning and evening hunts. The average lows in the mornings are in the 40’s, and in the evening, the temperatures are typically in the 60’s. In a normal year, most of the crops are already harvested or are being harvested during this week. This can stimulate some extra deer movement as the deer adjust to the changing landscape. Whitetails are sometimes still on their summer routine and can be patterned during this time. Opening week is normally a very good time for bow hunters to be in a tree stand in Illinois.

Click here for more information on our opening week whitetail hunt here >>

Check out the story of our 2023 opening week big buck that was harvested here >>

FAQ

Hunting in the middle of October is a transition time for deer. Whitetail patterns change from a summer to a fall pattern. This is normally a result of a change in their food source. In Illinois, their favorite food, acorns, start hitting the ground and most of the agriculture crops are harvested by this time. Whitetails are gearing up for the rut, and during this mid-October time, bucks seek out the acorns that will supply them with all the nutrients they need to sustain them through the long rut. Whitetails can lose up to 25% of their body fat during the rut and acorns are full of nutrients, including protein, carbohydrates, and fats to help replace this body fat. Deer hunters that understand what is happening during this time of the year can be very successful in harvesting large whitetails if they focus on acorns and hunting around oak trees during mid-October.

More scrapes and territorial rubs are also found during mid-October as the whitetail bucks are starting to establish their dominance. As a result, light rattling or grunting can sometimes be productive at this time, especially towards the end of this hunting period. Mature bucks are still in their core area and can become patternable going from one food source to another. We tend to adjust some of our cameras over scrapes during this time and can really dial in where and what the bucks are doing during Mid-October.

FAQ

Bowhunting in late October can be one of the best times to be whitetail hunting in Illinois! The weather is perfect, the trees are in full color, and the pre-rut is in full swing. If you like calling, then make sure you pack your rattling antlers and grunt tube as whitetail bucks are establishing their dominance and respond well to calling during this time. Early breeding also is happening during this phase of the rut. Bucks start traveling their rub routes checking scrapes. A few does do come into estrous at this time. If you are lucky enough to have a hot doe around you while bow hunting, you are going to also see a lot of buck movement as well. This is a very good time to harvest the dominate buck in that area as he is going to want to breed those first few does that come into heat. For the does that are not in yet, a lot of chasing starts to happen, especially with immature bucks. Decoying also works great during this time of the season. Typically, several of the mature bucks are still in their core areas and do not like newcomers!

More information on our Pre-Rut Bowhunting Packages >>

FAQ

Your stay with us is more than a whitetail hunt. It’s part of a strong hunting tradition that started back when Heartland’s owner, Gary Harpole, was a child. 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. Read Gary’s Personal Story Here >>

Opening week – Pattern a buck during the summer and try to harvest him during the first week while he is still on his summer pattern. By monitoring trail cameras and glassing in the evenings, you might be able to find a buck that has a consistent pattern on his way to his evening food source. During this time alfalfa, clover, and early dropping white acorns are a deer’s preferred food source during this time of year.

Mid-October – Head to the acorns. Archery hunting close to acorns can be very productive during this time frame. There’s a common misconception during this time of year, commonly referred to as the “October Lull” that whitetails don’t move and yet many studies have shown that daylight mature buck movement starts to increase this time of year as they begin to expand their range in preparation for the rut. Hunting active scrapes close to an oak grove can yield results, especially when paired with a cold front.

Late October – It’s time to be a little aggressive. Calling and rattling work best during this time frame than any other part of the year. Hunting close to doe bedding areas and travel corridors that connect to a food source can be extremely productive as bucks start to search for the first does entering into estrous.

More on October Whitetail Hunts>>

FAQ

All bookings are double occupancy in regular room at the Original Lodge, unless other arrangements are made. Private rooms can be arranged if available. All rooms have private baths. As part of the care and maintenance inside our lodge, we ask that you bring slippers or wear socks. Boots and shoes are removed in the mud room. The Original Lodge is for hunters only October – December 25th.  Prairie Ridge Lodge is for hunters only the entire month of November.

• Non-hunting guests are welcome. The rate is $150 for each night for a regular room. Call for pricing on other rooms.
• Non-hunting guest meal package is $100 per night.
• If non-hunting guest would like to sit in the stand with hunters, the fee is $150 per hunting day. (This option is not available during rut weeks or firearm seasons, late-October thru mid-December- we have limited space in guide vehicles)
• Private rooms are available upon request.
• All Lodges/ Cabins have WIFI
• $150 for a private regular room each night at The Original Lodge.
• $175 for the Angler room (Queen Bed) each night at The Original Lodge.
• $225 for the Whitetail suite (King Bed & Whirlpool) each night at The Original Lodge
• $285 for the Luxury suite (King Bed, Whirlpool, & Fireplace) each night at Prairie Ridge Lodge
• $385 for the Private Luxury Cabins (King Bed, Whirlpool, Fireplace & Private Deck) each night at the Luxury Cabins

Enjoy one of our Luxury Suites during your stay. For only $142.50 per hunter (per night – based on double occupancy) you can stay in one of these incredible rooms. Each spacious room has two king size beds, Whirlpool, fireplace, gun holders, private decks and entrance. Prices are valid only when purchasing a hunt package above, otherwise our regular room rates apply.

If you are looking for a rewarding and fulfilling job as a whitetail hunting guide at one of the best whitetail hunting outfitters in the country, look no further than Heartland Lodge!

All of our whitetail hunting guides are experienced, accomplished deer hunters. We manage over 5,000 acres of the best whitetail hunting habitat in the country for trophy whitetails. We put in several acres of food plots, run trail cameras and scout year-around. Whether it be glassing summer bean fields in July or shed hunting in February, you will be hard-pressed to find more compassionate deer hunting guides. Our guides take great pride in our ability to pattern deer and give our clients the best guided deer hunting experience available. Please follow the link below for more information.

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