Wildlife

Rendleman Orchards borders the Shawnee National Forest, giving guests a front-row seat to the diverse wildlife of southern Illinois. Winter is an especially beautiful time here, with open views, quiet trails, and frequent wildlife sightings right on the farm.

A Front-Row Seat to Nature

Because of our rural location, wildlife is commonly seen throughout the orchards and surrounding woods. Bald eagles, hawks, great horned and barn owls, wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, bobcats, coyotes, red fox, and many winter songbirds all pass through the farm. Rendleman Orchards is also located within the Mississippi Flyway, where Canadian geese, snow geese, and ducks migrate seasonally through nearby bottomlands.

Trails, Night Skies, and Winter Stillness

A portion of the River to River Trail runs directly through the farm, allowing guests to hike from the cottage into the Shawnee National Forest. The Cottage sits on a quiet ridge between orchard and woods, overlooking a pond and rolling hills. Clear winter nights and bright moonlight make wildlife easier to spot and hear, especially owls and coyotes. Guests can enjoy the experience with a full-size telescope, binoculars, and hiking sticks provided at the cottage.

Why Wildlife Loves the Orchard

Orchards provide reliable food and shelter even in winter. Fermenting fruit, insects in bark and leaf litter, and the protection of tree rows attract wildlife year-round. The rows offer windbreaks, less snow cover, and safer travel routes for animals moving through the landscape.

Shed Season in Southern Illinois

From mid-January through February, Illinois whitetail bucks shed their antlers, making winter a popular time for shed hunting. Southern Illinois is known for its strong deer population, and Rendleman Orchards offers a unique opportunity to experience this seasonal tradition on private land with landowner permission or as a Cottage guest.