Illinois HUNT CAMP is a different kind of one-day event for adult hunters of all types and all abilities. Think of it as an inclusive social networking conference for Illinois hunters and trappers with food, education, games, and prizes.

Do you kind of miss the social aspect of the old deer check station days? Don’t even get us started on Grandpa’s deer camp of years past. While Illinois Hunt Camp certainly can’t compete with a past family tradition, it comes from that same spirit. Hunters and trappers get together, share some food, some fun and some stories. Just maybe it will be your new tradition and we think it’s a D@&% good way to welcome in the upcoming hunting season.

Most outdoor events are either aimed at one specific group of hunters or meant to sell or showcase products. Those types of events can be awesome, but Illinois Hunt Camp is a bit different and is all about raising community amongst hunters and trappers of all types and abilities. Hunt Camp isn’t about raising money, this event is about raising community. It doesn’t matter if you are already an avid hunter or someone who is just interested in hunting but doesn’t know where to start, Illinois Hunt Camp is for you!

This event is intended for adults, but kids can come too. Children under the age of 18 are welcome without needing a ticket but will not get a registration packet or tickets.

FOOD: The outdoor grills will be fired up once again as traditional cookout fare is flame broiled to mouthwatering perfection. Hamburgers, hotdogs, brats, oh yeah we have it all, with all the “fixings” too. Food will be available (while supplies last) for free to all Hunt Camp attendees. Those with special diets (not including the yummy grilled meats listed above) may want to plan accordingly. The Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) generously donates food for Hunt Camp. Not only the food but the grills and even most of the grill masters are thanks to ICF. Make sure you pay them back by donating to ICF whenever you make a hunting license purchase. Note that additional food including some delicious and decadent sweets are available for purchase from the on-site restaurant and bar. Alcohol will be available for purchase from the on-site bar.

EDUCATION: There will be educational stations and tables representing many of the most active outdoors groups in Illinois set up. Walk up and learn from experts about some useful skills. There will be educational stations set up on: map reading and remote scouting, waterfowl identification, trapping, dog training and more! There will also be organizational tables set up for many of the Hunt Camp partner groups like: Pheasants Forever, National Wild Turkey Federation, Safari Club International, Fur Takers of America, Back Country Hunters and Anglers, Delta Waterfowl, Artemis, Great Lakes Falconry Association and more.

GAMES: To get the crowd energized and engaged, we will have some fun games set up that are free for all Hunt Camp attendees. Think you are pretty good at estimating yardage? Well compete against everyone at Hunt Camp and find out once and for all. Maybe you think you are the “Annie Oakley” of casting baits into tight spots, well we have a game for you. This “aint” no carnival so don’t expect to see the same old games. Anyone with an interest in the outdoors is sure to have a good time. Even though the games are free for Hunt Camp attendees, the prizes are very real!

WILDLIFE ART EXPERIENCE: Visit the wildlife art experience at Hunt Camp and make your own unique piece of wildlife inspired art to take home with you. Its free to participate for all Hunt Camp attendees. This is a self-paced experience led by professional Wildlife Biologist and Artist Anna from Arctic Haven Studios. Home | Arctic Haven Studio We will have cleaned bones and rocks as well as all of the paints and brushes needed to make some cool stuff. Feel free to bring in your own cleaned skulls, other bones or rocks to paint at the Wildlife Art Experience if you have something cool you want to turn into art.

PRIZES: All Hunt Camp attendees will get tickets for the prize tables when they register at the event. There may be some ways to win more tickets but there is not any way to buy them. Prizes here are earned, not bought! There will be an Outdoor Gear Prize table filled with awesome gear like Vortex binoculars, rangefinders and other useful outdoor gear. There will also again be the hugely popular Mentored Hunt Prize Table filled with all sorts of mentored hunting and other outdoor opportunities. If you are a newer hunter or someone who would like to try out a new kind of hunting, the Mentored Hunt Table is sure to have what you are looking for. You can choose which types of mentored hunts you want to try to win or you can put all your tickets into the Gear Prize Table. Hunt Camp has something for everyone! If you are an established Illinois hunter who would like to donate a mentored hunting opportunity, click the MENTORING A HUNT button above.