Hunting The Illinois Whitetail Rut
April 24th, 2024 – Pike County, IL Outfitter Report – “If you are interested in a 2024 peak rut hunt, now is the time to book before we are completely sold out! We have a prime rut hunt available in the middle of November for a couple hunters. Call 217-982-4039 or E-Mail to inquire about our all-inclusive, guided rut hunts today!”
Bow or gun hunting during the whitetail rut can be one of the most exciting times to be in the deer woods. This is traditionally the best time to be in the deer stand. As the leaves begin to fall and the weather starts to drop, mature deer start to become more and more visible during daylight hours searching for estrous does. The Illinois deer rut falls during the month of November. Hunting the Illinois deer rut can be divided up into three different hunting times: the end of the pre-rut, the rut, and the start of the post-rut.
This week can be one of the most exciting weeks to be in the Illinois deer woods! Many does are beginning to enter their estrus cycle and the big bucks are out looking for them. It’s a transition week from the pre-rut into the peak rut. Whitetail bucks are very responsive to calling during this period. Rattling, using buck decoys, doe in estrus bleats, and chasing/tending grunts can all produce great results. The weather is typically ideal for whitetail deer hunting. Cooler temperatures in the mornings can get the bucks out trolling, looking for does.
Illinois’ first gun season normally falls at the end of this period. Having a short firearm season during the deer rut allows many bucks to make it through the Illinois gun season. For those who enjoy gun hunting, this can be a very exciting three days!
Watch this video of Ron Way’s 192″ Monster Whitetail!!
This week is the end of the peak rut and the start of the post-rut. Like the pre-rut, it can be very productive, particularly with those bigger bucks looking for the remaining does to come into estrous. Some years, this week has more deer rut activity than any other period in November, especially if unusually warm weather is present earlier in the month.
For more information on our Thanksgiving Week Archery Hunt Click Here>>
Transition areas – Find transition areas and funnels between doe bedding areas and feeding areas. Bucks will be scent checking these areas at all hours of the day.
Time in the woods – The more time you spend in the woods the better. So if you are able to, pack a sack lunch and sit in the woods all day, as that trophy whitetail buck could come by in the middle of the day just as easily as he could in the morning or evening.
Stop the buck before you take a shot at him – Bucks can be unpredictable while chasing does and moving animals will most likely result in poor shot placement. Do whatever it takes to stop him before you release your arrow.
Be prepared – The month of November experiences drastic weather variations. Temperatures can vary from 80 degrees down to the teens, and rain and snow are also both a possibility. Hunters must come prepared to endure a variety of conditions to be able to remain in the woods.
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 >>
| 2024 Archery Dates Available: | |
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| More on our Archery Hunts>> | |
| 2024 Archery Dates Available | |
| October 1st–5th (Opening Week - 5 Days of Hunting) Click Here For More Info. | SOLD OUT! |
| October 7th-10th (4 Days of Hunting) | SOLD OUT! |
| October 14th-17th (4 Days of Hunting) | $3,350 (1 spot remaining!) |
| October 19th-21st (3 Days of Hunting) | SOLD OUT! |
| October 23rd-27th, (5 Days of Hunting) Click Here For More Info. | SOLD OUT! |
| October 29th-November 2nd (5 Days of Hunting) | SOLD OUT! |
| November 4th-8th (5 Days of Hunting) | SOLD OUT! |
| November 10th-14th (5 Days of Hunting) | SOLD OUT! |
| November 16th-20th (5 Days of Hunting) Click Here For More Info. | $5,550 (few spots remaining) |
| Nov. 29th-Dec. 3rd (5 days of hunting) Click Here For More Info. | $2,650 |
| 2024 Firearm Dates Available: | |
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| More on our Firearm Hunts>> | |
| November 22nd-24th (Shotgun, Rifle or Muzzleloader) 3 Days of Hunting | $5,550 |
| December 5th-8th (Shotgun, Rifle or Muzzleloader) 4 Days of Hunting Click Here For More Info. | $4,150 (few spots remaining!) |
| December 13th-15th (Muzzleloader Only) 3 Days of Hunting Click Here For More Info. | (Limited Time Promotion!) $300 OFF! Regular $3,150 |
| 7 night, 6 Day Dec. Archery/Muzzleloader Combo Hunt Dec. 10th- 15th | (Limited Time Promotion $500 OFF! Few spots remaining!) Regular $4,900 |
| **includes guides, meals, accommodations & game cleaning Click Here For More Info. on Legal Rifles | |
- Non-hunting guests are welcome. The rate is $125 ($150 in the fall) for each night for a regular room. Call for pricing on other rooms.
- Non-hunting guest meal package is $80 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 regular 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.
- $200 for the Whitetail suite (King Bed & Whirlpool) each night at The Original Lodge
- $250 for the Luxury suite (King Bed, Whirlpool, & Fireplace) each night at Prairie Ridge Lodge
- $350 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 $125 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.
