Whitetail Hunt Packing Guide

Everything you need to be ready for your Pike County whitetail hunt.

Welcome to Pike County Illinios

Home of big racks, crisp mornings, memories you will never forget, and Rut & Strut Whitetail Outfitters. To make sure you are ready for everything Mother Nature and those big bucks can throw at you, here is a complete list of what to bring for your hunt.

Hunting Gear Checklist

☑️ Hunting license and deer permits – Illinois hunting license, habitat stamp, and the correct deer tags for either non-resident or resident hunters
Weapon of choice:
☑️ Archery: Compound bow, crossbow, or traditional bow that meets legal draw weight
☑️ Firearm: Legal shotgun or muzzleloader per Illinois regulations
☑️ Ammunition or arrows – Bring enough for both practice and hunting
☑️ Rangefinder – For accurate shot placement
☑️ Binoculars – 8x or 10x recommended
☑️ Scent control spray and scent free soap – To reduce human scent
☑️ Grunt call or rattling antlers – Optional, but can be effective during the rut
☑️ Safety harness – Required for treestand hunting
☑️ Headlamp and extra batteries – Essential for walking in and out during low light
☑️ Backpack or daypack – To carry gear to your stand
☑️ Knife or field dressing kit – For quick, clean processing
☑️ Zip ties and pen – For tagging deer immediately as required by law

Not Included:

Please note the following are not included in your hunt package:

• Illinois hunting license, habitat stamp, and deer permits

• Weapon and ammunition

• Transportation to Pike County

• Meat processing and taxidermy services

Illinois Hunting Regulations Reminders:

• Blaze orange is required during firearm season (hat and upper garment)

• All deer must be tagged immediately and reported via the Illinois DNR system

• Crossbows are legal for all hunters during archery season

• Baiting or feeding deer is not allowed

Check out our dates and rates for this season

Dates & Rates for the season

Be Prepared:

Come ready for changing weather, long sits, and the possibility of that once in a lifetime shot. The better prepared you are, the better your experience will be.

Get In Touch

Rut & Strut Whitetail Outfitters – Pike County, Illinois

Ready to chase the buck of a lifetime? Whether you’ve got questions about our hunts, need help with booking, or just want to talk deer, we’re here for you.

🕒 Hours of Operation (Eastern Standard Time)
● Monday – Friday: 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
● Saturday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

📍 Rut & Strut Whitetail Outfitters Pike County, Illinois

📞 Call or text: 914-440-4292

📧 Rutandstrutwhitetailoutfitters@gmail.com