Customer Testimonials

i'd like to thank you and your wonderful family for making my first turkey hunt one that i'll never forget.  you truly run a first class operation and i could not be happier with the outcome or how i was treated.  as i'm sure you know, i have a lot to learn about turkey hunting, and i asked a million questions, and i want to thank you for patiently answering each and every one. the lodge was great, the meals outstanding, and the kindness and generosity of you,your wife and kids, as well as your father and grandpa, went above and beyond the call of duty. please tell them all i said thanks and i look forward to seeing them in the fall when i'll be making my first of many return visits to illinois wildlife connections. hope the rest of turkey season goes well for you and your hunters.  will phone you soon in regards to deposit for 2010 spring turkey hunt.  a million thanks

Eric Kilman, Smithton  IL  

Alethea, Micheal, and Scott,  Pennsylvania

Toby and I would like to thank you and your family for a great time. I don't know where to begin everything was above and beyond our expectations. From the hunting, food, and lodging everyone involved in your operation does one hell of a great job and made us feel right at home. We talked the whole way home about when we are going to return.

Mike Kletcho, Uniontown PA

Boy you have really came a long way sense I was there! I couldn't imagine it now. Randy has been trying to get me and Brad to come back out with him for a couple of years now. I was just curious as to what you had open for next fall? In all of the hunting that I have done in the state of Illinois, still to this day, yours is without a doubt the best that I have had the privilage to hunt. We have been to Pike County for the past 3 years and it was decent but not what everyone says it is cracked up to be. It is over hunted so bad that it isn't funny. I hope that your dad, wife, and whole family are doing well.

Josh Myers, Ohio

This was the first time I was on an guided hunt. (December 27-31) It was more than I expected. Ryan and his staff treated us like we were important. No one in camp was sucessful, however all of us saw Pope And Young bucks. I myself saw 5 Pope And Young bucks during my time, but they seemed to stay just out of effective bow range. Deer and Turkeys were everywhere. Mrs. Michl fixed meals that were out of this world. The lodge was great. I slept very well every night. One of his guides went above and beyond by offering to carry your backpack, bow into the stand for you. They are the friendliest people you can meet. You are foolish if you don't consider him as a legit option for your next hunt to Illinois.

David Long, Virginia

This past November was my third hunt with Illinois Wildlife Connections, and I'am going back in 2008 season this place is unreal. They are a first class operation the food is great and they make you feel at home in the lodge, tami will hurt your with her pumpkin crisp and the bucks are big and everywhere! In 2005 I missed a shot at the biggest deer that I've ever seen in the woods, that was until the one buck I missed this year in 08, the bucks are huge, this year I saw bucks everyday, more bucks than does. I missed a shot a very nice buck one afternoon and shot a nice 10 pt the next morning on the same stand. My guide's Ryan, Craig, and Mark worked hard for me every week they did everything he could to put me in the right spot to see deer. Ryan and his wholefamily are the first and will be the only outfitters I've hunted with and plan to hunt with for many years to come and made a new good friend I think now days its hard to find a true down to earth guy like Ryan.

Shane Armand, Mandeville, Louisiana

Ryan, Just wanted you to know how well of an operation I think you have. The trip was great. Starting from when we arrived the guides coming out and unloading out luggage, guides taking us to our stands and making sure we got in our stands before they left, the food was great and the ladies were very friendly and courteous and the hunting was awesome even though I did not kill a buck I saw alot and had a great experience. You have a great thing going just wanted you to know I appreciate all you guys did. Hope you have a good rest of the year.

Shane Odem, Alabama

Ryan, what a year for you guys. Just wanted to let you know that I had a great time hunting with all of you, even though the weather was not the greatest. Craig did a wonderful job putting me on some great deer and I can honestly say that I saw the two largest bucks of my life (16 years hunting). I saw that one of the pics looks like the split G2 that I saw the night I hit mine. Wondering if that is the same deer? I plan on coming back in '07 and there are about four guys that want to come with me. Just wondering when we should make arrangements? They keep asking to see the picture of me holding that huge 12 point rack that your buddy shot the day after your dad's deer. Hope your spring turkey season goes well and say hello to the guides and, of course, the greatest cooks in the world. My wife still gets mad at me when I bring up how great the food was during my stay. Guess she is kinda jealous! Thanks again and let me know when I should contact you about '07.

Have a great '06, Tony Kraft

ATTENTION BOWHUNTERS!!!! IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A GOOD BOWHUNT, JUST KEEP ON LOOKING. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A REALY GREAT BOWHUNT,EXCELLANT LODGING,KNOWLEDGABLE GUIDES,FINE COOKING,AND LOTS OF BIG BUCKS RUNNING AROUND. YOU HAVE FOUND THE RIGHT PLACE. I HAVE BOWHUNTED WITH RYAN AND HIS FAMILY 5 TIMES AND I ALWAYS CAN'T WAIT TO GET BACK AND DO IT AGAIN. RYAN AND HIS FAMILY RUN A QUALITY OPERATION. IT'S A FIRST RATE WORKING FARM WITH 4 GENERATIONS OF MICHL'S LIVING ON AND WORKING THE DAY TO DAY FARM CHORES. WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY IS THAT THEY ARE THERE 365 DAYS A YEAR AND THEREFORE THEY KNOW EYERY NOOK AND CRANNIE ON THE FARM AND EVERY BUCK THAT LIVES THERE. THEY WILL DO THEIR BEST TO PUT YOU ON A BIG BUCK.THEY HAVE STANDS SET UP FOR ANY WIND DIRECTION AND THEIR GUIDES KNOW THE PROPERTY AND HOW TO MAKE YOUR HUNT A SUCCESS. I HAVE ALWAYS SEEN MORE BUCKS IN 5 DAYS WITH ILLINOIS WILDLIFE CONNECTIONS THAN IN 5 YEARS AT HOME. THE LODGE IS NEW AND IMPRESSIVE AND IS FULL OF BIG BUCKS TAKEN ON THE FARM. RAYN'S WIFE TAMMIE AND THE GIRLS REALLY KNOW HOW TO COOK AND TAKE CARE OF FEEDING YOU. YOU'LL BE LUCKY IF YOU DON'T GAIN 5-10 LBS. RAYN'S GRANDMA MAKES OUT OF THIS WORLD APPLE,PEACH AND BLACKBERRY PIES AND OTHER DESERTS.RYAN'S DAD GARY CAN'T BE BEAT AND WILL GO OUT OF HIS WAY TO SEE YOU GET A CHANCE AT A BIG BUCK. LAST YEAR 8 BIG BUCKS WERE KILLED THE 5 DAYS I HUNTED WITH ILLINOIS WILDLIFE CONNECTIONS AND MORE WERE SEEN OR MISSED. SO FOR A GREAT BOWHUNT I DON'T THINK YOU CAN FIND ONE ANY BETTER THAN WITH RYAN AND HIS DAD AND FAMILY. ILLINOIS WILDLIFE CONNECTIONS IS A GREAT FAMILY RUN OPERATION THAT WILL MAKE YOU FILL LIKE ONE OF THEIR FAMILY.

GOOD BOWHUNTING: RANDY GILMORE

If you are looking for a great hunt you will make the right decision if you choose Illinois Wildlife Connections. Ryan and his dad Gary run a first class quality operation I have deer hunted and turkey hunted there the last two years. The amount of game you will see is incredible. The first deer hunting trip I saw 25 bucks from one stand in 5 days! The first afternoon I had a chance at 150 inch 10 point. This year I saw 8 pope and young bucks and three more over 160 inch or better one that was a 300 lb 180 inch monster. The turkey hunting is great also The first day before day break Gary put us under 8 gobblers within 100 yards! Ryan and Gary have a great knowledge of the property and the game animals and will do what ever you like to help you take your animal. This is only half of the fun. The accomodations and the food (lots of it) are very tuff to take. If you dont gain five pounds you didnt eat. Everyone there will make you feel like one of the family. If you choose to hunt here you have made a good decision. I have already booked 2 return trips.

Terry Lockwood, Indiana

Please tell Tami that dinner was swell, from the steak to the cheesecake! Too bad Brian couldn't get there in time for dinner. We thought the Lodge was really excellent. We were very comfortable staying with you, and we considered it a real find! Kindest regards to you and Tammy.

Larry Gordon, IL

Ryan I want to thank you, the ladies, and guides for yet another awesome time. This was my second time hunting with ya'll and it will not be my last, I hope. Don't get my wrong the first time was great but when you take an animal like I did the first time on the stand at 8 yards, what can I say. I've been telling every hunter I know that they are missing out by not coming up there. As always the food was out standing, the hunting was phenomenal and I had a ball! Ya'll are top notch and ya'll do it right. See you next November.

Brandon Britain, GA

Ryan I wanted to thank you for the hospitality that you and your family and guide’s gave Mark and me this past week. You run a top of the class operation that is second to none. The lodge is clean your wife made fantastic meals everyday and the deer are huge. As Mark and I were on our way home we both decided that it wouldn’t be our last trip to IWC. I look forward to hunting with you again. Have a great holiday!

Thank you! Tom McDowell

This past November was my second hunt with Illinois Wildlife Connections, and I’ve booked for the 2006 season. They are a first class operation the food is great the lodge is immaculately clean, and comfortable, and the bucks are big and plentiful. Last year I missed a shot at the biggest deer I’ve ever seen in the woods, this year I saw deer everyday, more bucks than does. I missed a shot at very nice buck one afternoon and scored a nice one the next morning. My guide Mark worked hard for me all week he did everything he could to put me in the right spot to see deer. Ryan, Gary and their whole family are by far the best outfitters I’ve hunted with and plan to hunt with for many years to come.

Mark Ruggiero, Somerset, New Jersey