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 hunters and trappers with food, education, games, and prizes all included. Hunt Camp is all about helping new hunters find their place within the outdoors community. Hunt Camp is also the place for adults in Illinois to find mentored hunting opportunities!

New for 2024 – We have secured 3 prime waterfowl hunting dates with Gander Hill Goose Club in Pinckneyville Illinois. These hunts will be added to the Hunt Camp prize pool.

Also New for 2024 – Hunt Camp will now be featuring some wild game dishes that you can sample while supplies last. At 3 PM there will be a Taste of Wild Game Seminar done by the Learn to Hunt staff and at 4 PM there will be a best recipe featuring wild game competition for the Hunt Camp Ambassadors. Sample some wild game dishes and vote for your favorite. *See the schedule in the Purchase a Ticket tab above for more details.

We will once again have over 50 spots available on Mentored Hunts and other awesome outdoor experiences. If you have been wanting to try something new outdoors, Hunt Camp is for you! Check out the Mentored Hunt prize table, prize tickets will be included in your registration packet.

Illinois Hunt Camp 2024 will be back at Deacons Restaurant and Bar at the Golf Farm, 2100 N US Hwy 12, Wauconda, Illinois 60084 on Saturday September 28th starting at noon.

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! We even have incentives for those who decide to join any of the organizations at Hunt Camp.

Brand new hunters and people who are interested in hunting but have never tried are encouraged to attend!

Children under the age of 18 are welcome, but the prizes and mentored hunts are for adults only at Hunt Camp. You can select the children’s ticket button (they are free) on the ticket sales page and a kid’s ticket will be added to your order. Kids under 18 can attend, eat and take part in the Hunt Camp activities, just no tickets, or prizes for youths at this one, sorry! We recognize that few mentored hunting opportunities exist for adults, so Hunt Camp aims to try and fill that void.

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 bring your own snacks. The Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) generously donates food for Hunt Camp. 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 may be available for purchase from the on-site restaurant and bar (Deacon’s). 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, gun 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.

PRIZES INCLUDING Mentored HUNTS: All adult Hunt Camp attendees will get tickets for the prize tables when they register at the event. There will be some ways to win more tickets but there is not any way to buy them. Prizes at Hunt Camp are earned, not bought! Back again and bigger than ever is the hugely popular Mentored Hunt Prize Table filled with all sorts of mentored hunts 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 or other experiences you want to try to win. Deer, turkey, small game, waterfowl, Train the Trainer (Gun Dog) training, fishing trips and more from all around the state and even beyond. If you aren’t looking for mentored hunts, you can put your tickets into the Gear Prize Table to win gear instead. 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.

Final Showdown: This is it, the final and last competition at Hunt Camp 2024. After all the hunts and gear have been awarded, it’s time for a barrage of competitions designed to reduce the field down to a single victor, who will win an amazing prize that is sure to help you on your hunting journey! The only way into the Final Showdown is by joining the Outdoor Groups present at Hunt Camp. Once in the Showdown, only one will emerge victorious.

Where else can you get a day full of hands-on outdoor education from experts, an introduction to most of the active outdoors groups in Illinois, skill-based outdoors games, BBQ food and a chance to win outdoor gear and mentored hunts and other opportunities all for $15? Food is included, games are included, giveaway is included. Any extra spending at Hunt Camp is completely voluntary. Be prepared to join an outdoor group or two though if you like to win cool stuff. The only way into “The Final Showdown” is to join! All ticket sales go into Hunt Camp.