Hadley Creek Outfitters Review

I had a great time enjoyed my trip! The guides did a great job putting me on big deer despite bad weather.
It rained everyday all day while I was there and I still had several opportunities for a 140 inch buck. I had a newer guide AJ and he was awesome, took great care of the guys.
The other guys were just as good.

First class mid-western Whitetail deer outfitters! Their guides are extremely knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and hard working. Food is excellent and lodge accommodations spotless and top notch. I've had the pleasure of hunting with them on several occasions. It's not unusual to stay in a lodge with professional athletes, country western music stars or Outdoor TV show crews filming Pike County, Illinois hunting shows. My wife and I have both killed bucks and have booked spots to go back again this fall.

It is the best Outfitters that I have ever used Stacey and the guides were very knowledgeable and helpful had a great time.

Love Hadley Creek! Have been hunting there several times, always see deer! Have stayed in different lodges, always comfortable, food is great! People are nice and fun! The two deer I have gotten in my experience were gotten at Hadley Creek!

I have made multiple trips over the last 2 seasons to hunt with the guys at Hadley Creek, and I truly cannot put into words how enjoyable my experience was. I had the pleasure of hunting with Owner Stacey Ward and one of his guides Gingi. These two are incredibly knowledgeable on how to put giant bucks on the ground in this area. They will go above and beyond and truly do whatever necessary to get you an opportunity at a world class whitetail. From the second you arrive at camp, they do whatever they can to make sure that your stay with them is as enjoyable as possible, first class accommodations, great food, wonderful camp atmosphere, lots of laughs, and most important of all.... awesome hunting. The properties are exceptional, the farms are setup to put you in the best position to kill, it s obvious the guides do there homework as they continuously impressed me with there ability to predict deer movement, put you in the right stand, and maximize your opportunity to kill. Anyone who is looking to hunt giant bucks in the state of Illinois would be foolish not give Hadley Creek a call and book a hunt, it s worth every penny. The guys at Hadley Creek have become wonderful friends, and my trip to illinois to hunt is something I will look forward too each and every year!

Poachers. They should loose their outfitter license and be prosecuted. Baiting deer is illegal in this state.

Hadley Creek has given me some of the best hunting experiences I could ve ever asked for truly the land of giants!!!

Me and and four other guys went on the The Thanksgiving hunt this year. Everything from the guides to the lodge and the hunting ground was great. Even though we didn't kill anything we had a absolute great time. The weather was not good for us and I believe that's why we didnt have the encounters. All the guides knew their farms very well and put you in the best spots they could. I would definitely recommend them and will probably book again, but with a firearm this time.

I am a beginner hunter and had the best experience at Hadley Creek. I was able to kill a 201 class buck! My guide was extremely helpful and knowledgeable and Stacey is absolutely great. Everyone there is knowledgeable, helpful, and inviting. The lodge I stayed in was very clean and the dinner we got every night was great. I cannot wait to go back.

What a place to stay! I read other reviews before coming and was a little skeptical until I showed up. Lodges are amazing with awesome meals. I didn't kill anything but seen some great bucks, when you hunt here your hunting wild deer. the guides (Maynard, Gingi, Tray, Lyndall and Bruce) where amazing. they make sure your getting to your stands and offer as much advice as your willing to take. when you book hunts here know your getting a CHANCE at a huge whitetail buck, no guarantees because they are wild deer not in a pen. I saw 2 bucks over 150 and 1 over 160 along with many smaller bucks. I will book again as this place is like a vacation, great lodges, great food, great people and oh yea you get to hunt. try booking a vacation in Florida and see what you get for your money.
Stacey the owner showed up and chatted with all of his hunters and even shared a meal or two, great guy and very knowledgeable. it was hot the first 3 days over 90 and got 2 days of better weather which got deer on there feet. Our lodge manager very much made the trip (Maynard) he made sure meals where ready and hot when you arrived back to the lodge, he always communicated all info which made me feel like I was in the know. If you book make sure you meet Gingi the guide! absolutely an awesome guy with some really cool stories. Ill be back.

I ve been hunting at Hadley Creek the past 2 years now. My experiences have always been great......it s hard for me to leave. I ve had the privilege of harvesting a 160 inch deer that was still in velvet as well as a 150 inch 8 pointer. The memories and friendships I ve made will last a lifetime. Stacy and Michelle are wonderful and make you feel like family. I ve enjoyed all of my time with the guides, especially Gingi who I had the pleasure of guiding me to my 150 inch 8 pointer. He is absolutely hilarious and the nicest man you could ever meet...... not to mention the many stories he has shared. I m booked for next season and can t wait!!!! Thank you to my Hadley Creek family

I recently Hunted for the first time with Hadley Creek on OCT 17th 2018 and had a Great time. There hunting properties are some of the best i have ever seen and well set up. Wish the weather had cooperated .

The camp was very cool with all the mounts and Stacey has some amazing stories,Enjoyed them all !

I have already rebooked for next year and can't wait to go back.

A1 place to hunt. Guides all go out of their way to put you on deer and give you the best chance of taking a trophy which there are plenty of. This is truly a unique place to hunt and I highly recommend it to everyone.

I went on a semi guided hunt in October of 2013. I was pleased with the accommodations and the land was beautiful. I don't think they're are offering semi guided hunts anymore, but that was what we did because it was more affordable than the prime rut hunts. Wes Stubbs was our guide and he did a fantastic job, helped us everyday with where to hunt, how to get in and out, was there when we got up and when we turned in for the night. He even hung more stands for us during the midday hours. These guys are the big dogs of Pike county deer hunting and they've got some great land. I only saw one shooter buck during my 5 days but it was worth it. If you think you're going to seeing 180 class bucks just running around all over the place you're not being realistic. BUT you've got a great chance to see those kind of bucks at Hadley Creek. I do know a few people who have been up there 3 years in a row before they took a trophy buck, so it's still hunting no matter where you go. One of the best things I liked about Hadley was that the owner Chalk Blankenship personally called me the following March to ask me what I thought about their operation, what I liked, what I thought they could do better. You don't get that kind of customer service from many places these days. These guys are well worth a try.

I hunted with Hadley Creek this late season in January 2018 with a few friends. I have nothing but good things to say about everyone I dealt with. From the owners to the camp mangers and guides, everyone was fantastic and professional. They tried their best to put us on some great bucks. Everyone saw shooters at one point or another. Their land is immaculate, the lodges are the same. I ll be back at least once a year to hunt with them going forward.

Nice accommodations but basically you get put out in a tree all day- No guiding expertise at all. Never saw a real shooter. It s been several years since we went. Deer on website are enhanced by computer. Nice guys. Just wasn t my type of hunt or size deer I had hoped for on my bow hunt. May have just been an off week- but peak of rut. Do your homework. I won t go back.

I've hunted Hadley twice now and returning for a third time this fall. I had an great time with top notch guides and lodges. Stacey and Michelle run a amazing operation you wont be disappointed.

Very nice place! Accommodations are great as well as guides. I was successful with a 141 9 pt 5 year old deer and already planning for next year

I have hunted with Hadley Creed for over 10 years and have had great experiences and have tagged out on multiple occasions. Their properties , crops and food plots are the best in the business. I will be there again this year the first week of November.

Great farms, great lodging, great guides. I ve been several years with these guys and I ve never gone without seeing at least 1 shooter. That s all a guy can ask for when bow hunting. Well done.

Absolutely the best outfitters hands down!! Hadley creek outfitters truly put in the hard work to put guys on the bucks of a lifetime. Stacy and Michelle went out of there way to make us feel like we where at home. The guides are second to none, our group will be making this our annual trip without a doubt. Looking forward to next year all ready!

Was extremely fortunate too be able to go to Hadley Creek Outfitters for a late season January hunt. This was one of the most amazing experiences I have had as a sportsman. I was blessed to see some amazing deer and 2 that were well above 140. Human error (mine) is the reason I didn t get to hang one on the wall. Because of the amazing staff and phenomenal property I was able to experience I will be visiting years to come.

David

Without a doubt these guys have it put together. I have been privileged enough to be able to hunt here the last few years in the late season (January).

I have hunted many farms and sat in many stands with Hadley Creek over the years. The stands are all well laid out and perfectly placed in each location. Not to mention 95% of the stands I sat in were all millennium stands. The blinds are clean and have very comfortable chairs for a long day hunt.

The food plots with are packed with deer this time of year. I have consistently seen shooters almost every sit.The deer in this area are absolutely huge. The abundance of deer that are in this area is something that you have to see in person. It truly is the land of the giants.

The guides are first class all the way. They know the area very well. They are conscious of current deer movement, weather conditions and the conditions of each farm they hunt. The attention to detail that the guides I have worked with is absolutely incredible. They actually care how your hunt went.

This last year one of my close friends finally had the opportunity to hunt with us. Let me tell you after his first day in the stand he was hooked on Hadley Creek and what they had to offer. He has already booked for next year.

If you are a hunter and you are in for an adventure, I would strongly suggest that you give Stacy and Hadley Creek a try!

You won t be disappointed!

Best -
Lee Fling

Another great hunt at Hadley Creek, and my biggest buck so far. 171 2/8 giant. Awesome food plots this year. Thanks to my guides Gingi & Rex for all the help & hospitality. They have great knowledge of the farms, & are a lot of fun to be around. As always, great lodge accommodations & food. Can t wait to get back in 2020. Thanks again Hadley Creek!!

High volume outfitter. If you want personal service look elsewhere. The guides are friendly but they just drop you off and ypur on your own. They jave the best ground and hunting areas though.

Hadley Creek is an amazing time I ve been the past two years and can t wait to go this year!! Always see monster bucks my best friend killed a 170 class buck last year it was his dream come true! Had a great guide named Gingi he is excellent very down to earth and professional and just all around a great guy definitely recommend him he will put you on them!

Hands down the best outfitting company across the Midwest. Lots of mature bucks. Lots of deer in general. Great guides and great down to earth people. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a trophy whitetail and a great getaway. Hadley Creek is without a doubt the place to go!

Read the news and look them up, Stacy the owner is a poacher. Read how many citations he got last year and has gotten in the past! How does he get to keep an outfitters license? Cuz they RIP hunters off charging thousands and over hunting farms. So when they get slapped with thousands of fines, they sign a check and go on. I wouldnt want to be a film crew who has been involved with them in the past. Baiters Creek

Hadley Creek Outfitters was just caught baiting deer on 6400 acres. Illinois Conservation Police Officers issued over 40 citations POACHERS!!!CHEATERS!!!

I ve made this an annual trip for the past 10 years. Everyone at Hadley Creek go out of their way to make sure you have the hunting experience of a lifetime. If you want Big Bucks this is the place. With the help of the professional guides and the awesome food plots I have harvested numerous bucks that most people only see on tv. Great lodging, great food, guides service takes You from the lodge directly to the stand. If you ever go out with the guide named Gingi it s an experience by itself. Super Guy!!

Unbelievable experience. Great hunting, great people, and great food.

I ll be back next year with our group. Would definitely recommend.

Two years hunting Hadley Creek. Killed a buck each year. This year was a beautiful late season 154 deer. Stacey s set up paid off despite horrible late season weather. The guides we have worked with are all solid. Gingi is our favorite. His passion is palpable. He REALLY wants you to succeed! Saw an extraordinary amount of deer on virtually every sit. Very nice accommodations. Very good food. Only had one other outfitter experience, which was in Wisconsin. No comparison. Hadley Creek was far superior. Looking forward to many more hunting experiences with this great bunch of knowledgeable individuals.

I have hunted at Hadley Creek for quite a few years now and always look forward to returning in the fall. The lodges are great, the food is excellent, and the owners and guides are very accommodating. I have had some great experiences hunting at Hadley, have seen some amazing deer over the years, and have personally harvested 2 140 class deer, and just this last year arrowed one that scored 158 5/8. The owners and guides at Hadley Creek have become great friends over the years and I highly recommend them if you are looking to hunt big bucks in Pike County, IL.

I have been coming here for over 10 years now and have never been let down. Not only are there giant bucks and tons of deer everywhere, but the people, atmosphere, and lodges are one of a kind.

Buyer beware. Nice accommodations, nice people, decent experience for novice hunter; but not a place for a true hunter.

Just a basic high-volume, "hunter-mill" operation. 10 others in our camp - not 1 person killed, except on last day, 1 guy shot a dink (tiny 6pt). Just ask them about their success rate (but, unfortunately I'm certain you won't get a straight answer).

Didn't see 1 decent buck entire trip and was hunting peak rut. Deer photos on website are extremely doctored. "Guides"/landowners hunt before you if they have a buck picked out.

Not a place to waste your money (or time) if you truly are after 140+ deer. Odds are definitely against you; horrible success rate (probably 10%) and most of these are likely small 120ish bucks, as that's all you'll see and they encourage you to shoot them ("character" bucks or "borderline" bucks they'll call em; even though they claim 140 is minimum (it's a hoax) ). With 3 or 4 'camps' running 10+ hunters through each camp each week, that's a hell of a lot of non-stop hunting pressure! They just play the hop scotch game with the hunters, shuffling them around to 'give them new scenery.' Do the math, that's around 600+ hunters each season !!, the large majority of which go home empty handed, a few shoot dinks (of which, hadley will add 10 or 20pts to the score), and only a very, very, vey small percentage (maybe 1%) will harvest a decent 140 / 150 class buck (which hadley will claim is a 170). Just look at their photos (which again, are extremely doctored up, just look closely) and realize 600 guys ( & gals) hunt each year, and that's all they have to show for it; a handful of mediocre bucks, a handful of dinks, and couple nice bucks. It doesn't take a statition to figure out how horrible the success rate is, or how horrible your odds are at a mediocre buck, let alone a decent buck. Save the frustration, look elsewhere.

Great place to hunt been there 5 times and had success and I'm going in November 2017 can't wait

I have taken my 13yr old daughter to Hadley creek for the last 2 years for the youth hunt and a week of bowhunting. She has had an incredible time each time and has harvested 2 really nice bucks and we have seen a ton of deer and several big shooters! All of the guides are great people and really know the farms on which they guide! I can t say enough good things about all of the people we have met and dealt with from the owner to the guides and other hunters.Stacey and Michelle run a 1st class operation. Food and lodges are exceptional as well. Needless to say we are already booked for several hunts next year and will be back for years to come.

I was very disappointed in my whole Hadley Creek Experience. I was sent 45 min away to Adams County to hunt on Farms that bordered Conservation property and that was surrounded by dozens of hunters. Wish I would have known Asked my Guide why and he said it s because he needed someone to guide. Opening day I heard at least 100 shots within 500 yards of the farm I was hunting. Second day SAME guide or I should say Uber driver I had someone shoot within a 100 yards of me and hear people talking . My biggest question is how this land was managed to a 140 inch min. When you are surrounded by dozens of hunters that are shooting everything that walked. Literally every deer that passed me was running and scared to death. That second days PM hunt I did see a 8 Pt that would probably score 125 or so BUT!!! I was not going to pay a 1,000.00 fine for a STATE Managed Deer. There was others hunters that yes got the Hadley Creek Experience. Got to see the 20 bucks in a field at a time, or deer the whole time I was in the stand I was so disappointed I left on my second day. As my experience I would never go back there or recommend anyone to hunt there. Only good thing I can say is the lodge I stayed at was very nice and I was feed good the time I was there. I honestly feel that I was just number and a hunter run through camp just for the $$$$.

Lodging was above and beyond my expectations. Very friendly guides who will go the extra mile for you to help ensure you ll find that buck of a lifetime.

Hadley is a special place!! Point blank!! The level of expertise from the start of booking your hunt, to the moment you are pulled back on a trophy whitetail is TOP NOTCH!! I have hunted a number of states for trophy whitetail and there is nothing like Pike County, IL, during the rut when the bucks are on the chase. The fellowship that takes place at the lodges is something to be mentioned too, diverse groups of hunters from all over the country converge on Hadley with one thing in common, the love of hunting trophy whitetails. In the evening after the hunts the lodges buzz with the reports of what everyone saw that day. Make a point to book a trip with Hadley and you will be back year after year. Every trip to Hadley I have had the chance to kill 150+ inch whitetails, and have a few 160+ hanging on the wall!!!