Gardner Camp is located in Pike County and with that comes whitetails.  The whitetails at Gardner Camp are managed solely for our youth hunters. In order to provide a successful experience for youth, we work hard year-round to provide quality natural habitat for deer--a combination of woodlands, grasslands, and open fields--mixed with a variety of food plots.  We offer several types of stands and blinds including elevated stands and ground blinds that are strategically placed in high traffic locations scouted prior to the youth hunters' arrival.   Gardner Camp provides weekends for both shotgun and archery hunting for youth. A typical weekend includes a safety briefing, side-by-side transportation to the blind, morning and evening guided hunts, meals, relaxation in Gardner Hall around the stone fireplace.  An archery range is provided for sighting in youth bows, as well.

APPLY TO HUNT AT GARDNER CAMP TODAY!

Youth may apply to enter a lottery drawing to hunt at Gardner Camp.  Youth must meet the following qualifications to apply:

  • Must be 12 years of age at time of hunt
  • Must have completed Illinois Hunter Safety Education Course (or other state equivalent)
  • Must have an adult (21+) mentor to accompany youth on the hunt
  • If 18 years of age, must still be in high school
  • Must be from Adams, Pike counties of IL or surrounding counties

Applications are continuously accepted. Deadline to apply for the current year hunting season: July 22nd.  Lottery Drawing Date: August 1st

Youth are responsible for their own licenses and tags.  Gardner Camp hunts are fully guided and we furnish heated blinds, transportation to/from blind, deer cleaning facility, and instruction and hunting gear, upon request.

Questions? Contact Jen Tyler, Director of Gardner Camp at 217/242-3524 or email: jen@gardnercamp.org.

Apply Today!

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