Late Season Whitetail Hunting in Illinois

deer hunting the illinois late season

April 28th, 2026- Whitetail Outfitter Update: “Now is the time to reserve your whitetail hunt for this fall! We have limited spots available with several prime weeks already sold out! View available dates & rates here >>. Call 217-734-2526 or E-Mail Zach@HeartlandLodge.com to reserve your spot now!” 

Deer hunting the late season at the lodge can be a very entertaining hunt as whitetails begin to congregate during the colder temperatures. Although it has its challenges, hunting the late season can be a great whitetail hunting experience for those looking to extend their deer season! We offer 3- or 5-day late season hunts from Mid-December to Mid-January (see rates below, contact for specific dates available). The late season can also be a great time to help us out on doe management and fill your freezer with venison! Read more on our Doe Only Hunts Here >>. Call today for more information at 217-982-4039 or E-mail Here >>.”

Hunting late season whitetails can be a very interesting time to be in the deer woods. In Illinois, we consider late season deer hunting all of December through the middle of January. There can be a huge difference in deer hunting from the beginning of December to the middle of January. There are several different whitetail phases during this time. There is the post rut, secondary rut and getting ready for winter phases.

Post Rut of Illinois Deer Hunting Season (December 1st - 10th)

Finding food sources during the late season archery deer season is key.From the last week of November until around the 10th of December, there is still some rutting activity going on. Those big whitetail bucks are looking for the last does that did not get bred, or that came in very early and were not bred, so they are back in heat. This can be a great time to harvest the dominate trophy whitetail buck in the area since he will be out looking for the last does that are in heat. The average highs in Pike County, Illinois during this time is the upper 40’s and average lows are in the high 20’s.

Illinois’ second gun season and late muzzleloader-only season falls during this period. Illinois’ second gun season normally is the first weekend in December and lasts 4 days. This deer hunt starts on Thursday and ends on Sunday. Many gun hunters take advantage of the extra day and gun hunt whitetail during this time. The Illinois muzzleloader-only deer season is normally the following weekend. This whitetail hunt starts on Friday and ends on Sunday. We offer an archery/muzzleloader combo deer hunt during this time of year.

FAQ

 
Secondary Rut of Illinois Deer Hunting Season (December 11th - 20th)

deer hunting in pike county illinoisThe whitetail does that did not get bred during November start to come back in during this secondary rut time period. This is a time when big trophy whitetail bucks are still looking for those does that come back into heat. When a doe comes into heat in the area you are hunting, you may see the dominate buck reappear. This can be very productive in killing a monster whitetail.

Also, during this time, many of the bucks are starting to build back their fat reserves for winter. Going through the rut they have lost a lot of weight and need to build back what they lost. As a result of these factors, patterning bucks from bedding and feeding areas can be very productive during this time. The average temperatures drop a little during this period to the mid 40’s as a high and mid 20’s as a low.

FAQ

 
Late Season Whitetail Hunting in Illinois (December 21st - Mid-January)

This is one of the favorite times for the guides and staff at Heartland Lodge to hunt. While most hunters are done for the year, Heartland starts dialing in on whitetail bucks that are getting ready for winter. Setting up on bucks traveling from bedding to feeding areas can be very productive. Unless weather moves in, hunting the early morning hours and late evening hours are the most productive during this time of year.

Heartland Lodge also offers a doe derby for archery hunters in December and January. This is a great way to enjoy four nights and three days of whitetail deer hunting for a very reasonable price. You can still harvest a buck, but you don’t have to pay for it unless you do. You can also harvest an unlimited amount of does. This is a great way to enjoy some time in the woods or check us out for an October or November hunt for the following season.

FAQ

 
Top Whitetail Deer Late Season Hunting Tips
  • Wear the proper gear and dress warm. This may sound simple, but you can’t shoot a whitetail if you are cold.
  • This is a good time to layer your clothes. Wait until putting on the outer layer until you are in the stand. Sitka clothing offers a great layering system.
  • Patterning bucks from bedding to feeding areas is easier during this time.
  • Food, food, and more food. Late season is all about the food. If you have a food source, you are going to have whitetails.
  • Plant some late season food sources that will still be there when all other food sources are gone. Brassicas are great before any heavy snow arrives. Standing corn and milo or sorghum are both excellent if you can keep the deer from touching it until late.
  • Have the poundage of your bow set at the poundage that you can comfortably pull back during cold weather. It’s much harder to pull your bow back when it’s cold, so make sure you don’t have too high of poundage.
  • Practice shooting wearing the same gear that you will be wearing while hunting. Heavy coats, gloves, etc., should also be worn while practicing.

FAQ

 
Whitetail Deer Hunting Rates
2026 Archery Dates Available:
More on our Archery Hunts>>
October 1st–4th (Opening Week – 4 Days of Hunting) Click Here For More Info. $2,950
October 6th-9th (4 Days of Hunting) $2,950
October 12th-15th (4 Days of Hunting) $2,950
October 17th-19th (3 Days of Hunting) $2,450
October 21st-25th, (5 Days of Hunting) Click Here For More Info. $4,550 (1 spot available)
October 27th-31st (5 Days of Hunting) SOLD OUT
November 2nd-6th (5 Days of Hunting) SOLD OUT
November 8th-12th (5 Days of Hunting) $5,950 (2 spots available)
November 14th-18th (5 Days of Hunting) Click Here For More Info. $5,950
Nov. 28th-Dec. 1st (4 days of hunting) Click Here For More Info. $2,950

2026 Firearm Dates Available:
More on our Firearm Hunts>>
November 20th-22nd (Shotgun, Rifle or Muzzleloader) 3 Days of Hunting $5,550 (1 spot available)
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.

 
Deer Hunting Guide Jobs

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.

Click Here for More Details on Deer Guide Jobs

 
Heartland Lodge

10236 393rd St.
Nebo, IL
62355

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