In this exclusive series by the Shooting Sportsman Endorsed Lodge Program, Shooting Sportsman readers weigh in with their personal experiences at some of the finest wingshooting lodges in America.
Harpole’s Heartland Lodge
“As owner Gary Harpole explains to his patrons at the beginning of each stay, in establishing Heartland Lodge he set out to recreate the memories of his early years of hunting on the family farm. In my opinion, he succeeded in composing an experience that transcends that goal.
“Heartland’s log-home lodging is quite comfortable but not opulent, and it gives an impression of staying in a relative's guest room, in a good way. There is an impressive collection of taxidermy displayed throughout the premises and a rustic stone fireplace that is conducive to post-hunt discussions over bourbon on the rocks. Meals are served family style at the table and feature large portions of classic Midwest comfort food. The staff is friendly and accommodating almost to a fault, lending further to the family atmosphere. I almost felt like I should help clear the dishes, but I resisted the temptation. Gary was ever present at meals and throughout the week, personally visiting with guests while overseeing lodge operations.
“The upland hunting itself was wonderful and was divided into morning and afternoon sessions, with a trip back to the lodge for lunch in between. The guides were hard-working, very pleasant and utilized their personal dogs and trucks, again lending to a down-home ambience. The fields consisted of a mixture of food plots, native grasses with mowed strips and open-timber borders. This provided ample cover to hold the quail, chukar and pheasants that the dogs worked hard to pin down. The bird releases are done on an ongoing basis, so this is not a ‘kick-and-shoot’ operation. The released birds produce frequent strong flushes, although you could tell the difference when the occasional wild covey or rooster was encountered. By the end of the third full day of hunting, I had shot literally dozens of birds. These were breasted, vacuum-sealed and frozen for the trip home. Throughout the week, we hunted the same field on only one occasion.
“Overall, Harpole's Heartland Lodge provides an outstanding step back to an idyllic time of flush-filled trips afield—better than the good old days ever actually were. That’s why I have been there twice and look forward to returning again.”
Dan Slawski,
Shibley’s Point, MO
Harpole’s Heartland Lodge is a full-service Shooting Sportsman Endorsed Lodge. To learn more or make a reservation, call 217-734-2526, email info@heartlandlodge.com or visit heartlandlodge.com.
Photography courtesy of Harpole's Heartland Lodge.
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