Hunting The Illinois Whitetail Rut
December 2nd, 2025 – Pike County, IL Outfitter Report – “Now is the time to book your 2026 whitetail hunt! Prime spots are filling up fast! Call 217-734-2526 or E-Mail to inquire about our all-inclusive guided whitetail 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 >>
| 2025 Archery Dates Available: | |
|---|---|
| More on our Archery Hunts>> | |
| October 1st–4th (Opening Week - 4 Days of Hunting) Click Here For More Info. | SOLD OUT |
| October 6th-9th (4 Days of Hunting) | SOLD OUT |
| October 13th-16th (4 Days of Hunting) | SOLD OUT |
| October 18th-20th (3 Days of Hunting) | SOLD OUT |
| October 22nd-26th, (5 Days of Hunting) | SOLD OUT |
| October 28th-November 1st (5 Days of Hunting) Click Here For More Info. | SOLD OUT |
| November 3rd-7th (5 Days of Hunting) | SOLD OUT |
| November 9th-13th (5 Days of Hunting) | SOLD OUT |
| November 15th-19th (5 Days of Hunting) Click Here For More Info. | SOLD OUT |
| Nov. 29th-Dec. 2nd (4 days of hunting) Click Here For More Info. | SOLD OUT |
| December 16th-18th | $1750 (Christmas Promotion! Reg. $1,950) |
| December 20th-22nd | $1750 (Christmas Promotion! Reg. $1,950) |
| Late Season Archery Hunts (mid-Dec thru Jan 18th) Call for dates. | 4 night/ 3 day Doe Only $1,950 4 night/ 3 day $2,250 6 night/ 5 day $2,750 |
| 2026 Firearm Dates Available: | |
|---|---|
| More on our Firearm Hunts>> | |
| November 20th-22nd (Shotgun, Rifle or Muzzleloader) 3 Days of Hunting | $5,550 |
| December 3rd-6th (Shotgun, Rifle or Muzzleloader) 4 Days of Hunting Click Here For More Info. | $4,150 |
| December 11th-13th (Muzzleloader Only) 3 Days of Hunting Click Here For More Info. | $2,750 |
| **includes guides, meals, accommodations & game cleaning Click Here For More Info. on Legal Rifles | |
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.
