Income-Producing Waterfowl Mecca Along The Kaskaskia River

General

Stretching over 1.5 miles along the Kaskaskia River, this amazing waterfowl mecca is a world-class waterfowl, deer, and turkey hunting club. Over two decades of strict habitat improvement and management has developed this property into an ideal location to attract, hold and harvest waterfowl. This absolute turnkey operation boasts numerous improvements that make it a perfect outdoor experience any time of the year. With a 2900 SF home, multiple storage options, water control systems, and numerous waterfowl and whitetail hunting locations, this property has everything a sportsman can ask for.

Location

Situated between Carlyle Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area to the South (2 miles) and Pecan Island to the North (1mile), this property is in the heart of the flyway and naturally attracts large numbers of waterfowl. A well-maintained county road dead-ends at the property and provides additional seclusion and privacy. There are no other roads that access pass by any part of the property, and as a result, the property and wildlife are undisturbed by outside traffic.

Land

This farm consists of 707.80+/- total acres divided across a variety of land and habitat types. 175+/- tillable acres are currently sharecropped at a 1/3, 2/3 split and generate enough income to pay the yearly taxes and farm expenses. 55 +/- acres of CRP/CREP ground generate $9304 annually, as well as acreage in deer food plots. There are 185+/- acres of upland habitat that includes the home, rental house, storage buildings, and approximately 35 acres of alfalfa. The water control systems allow 215 acres of timber and crops to be flooded with water from the river. An additional 150+/- acres are a naturally flooded marsh that the owners have utilized as a refuge and not hunted for over 15 years.

Wildlife

Each year thousands of puddle and diver ducks travel through this property on their annual migration. The abundant food sources and refuge acreage hold ducks virtually that entire year and has been seen to attract 5,000 to 10,000 ducks during the peak of the migration. The timber surrounding the marsh refuge area creates excellent habitat for the whitetail deer and turkeys that reside on the property. Other migratory birds, as well as birds of prey, call this property home throughout the fall and winter months, including numerous bald eagles.

Buildings

The improvements on this property are almost too many to mention. Built in 2005, a 2,900 SF 7 bed, 4 bath home comfortably accommodates several hunters as well as their families. The home also boasts a large mudroom and a spring-fed well with a water purification system. A nice back deck and firepit area overlooks the flooded bottoms and are a great place to relax after the hunt. The property also has a trap shooting and gun range that is set up for all your firearm and bow shooting needs. Storage options include a 4,860 SF machine shed, 2,135 SF Quonset storage shed, and an additional 1,200 SF shed with a game cleaning area. The latter two are both insulated and heated with concrete floors. A second 1,200 SF home is located on the property and is currently rented for $580/month.

Water Control and Blinds

There are over 6 miles of rocked levees throughout the property that allow for easy access and travel to and from your favorite blind. These levees and 23 different water control systems also allow for the flooding of 215 acres of timber and crops. Water is pumped from the river into the property via 12” and 16” water pumps. The 5 metal duck pits and 4 additional duck blinds allow hunters to limit the pressure they put on any particular hunting area. For whitetail hunting, there are 18 single or double ladder stands, 4 enclosed Ghillie blinds on platforms, and 5 Amish-built blinds on platforms that are second to none scattered throughout the timber and upland acres. 

Other

The 4 partner owners have kept duck harvest records since 2012 and have a minimal number of hunters each year. The annual duck harvest has ranged from 731 to 250 ducks in the early deep freeze year, where all was frozen early. Although you can certainly meet your 6 duck/day limit, the owners have often had a motto of “get your 4 mallards and call it a day”. The owners put so little pressure on the ducks, rotating the fields that they hunt. They don't hunt 2 fields at the same time. They also rarely have more than 4 hunters at a time. The duck harvest numbers could easily be way higher if they hunted harder; however, they have chosen to have limited pressure which keeps the duck population consistent and high. The 150-acre refuge that is also flooded is never hunted, which is another big reason that the duck population on this farm is so high. 

I also wanted to reiterate that the deer and turkey hunting is fantastic. The habitat consisting of timber, tillable, and a sanctuary that is super thick are some of the reasons that the deer and turkey thrive here! Yes, it is a world-class duck club, but also a world-class deer and turkey hunting club. 

From lodging, duck and deer blinds, storage sheds, barns, and water control systems, this property has it all and is an absolute turnkey operation. Give me a call today for your own private tour!