About the Location

TNT Farm, Pike County Illinois

Nestled between the Illinois River to the east and the Mississippi River to the west, TNT Farm is a great place to hike, farm, photograph, and enjoy wildlife in the great outdoors.
It is situated in historic Pike County, IL an area created by an act of the Legislature in 1821 and today over seventeen thousand residents call it home.

The town of Pittsfield just 10 miles to the North, is the county seat and hub of this rural farming community. The photogenic courthouse on the city square was the proving ground for young attorney Abraham Lincoln and his colleagues of the court. Several homes in and around Pittsfield date back to the Civil War and the county is full of old barns, log cabins, outbuildings and outhouses.

TNT farm is located in a remote Amish community with nearly 300 acres of hills, timber, waterways and tillable land just waiting to be explored. It is situated in a valley that is home to numerous natural springs, streams and one of the county’s major creeks divides the farm in half meandering through the property from north to south. During the spring and summer months the fields are flourishing with soy beans, wheat, corn, clover and wildflowers. This bountiful spread provides breakfast, lunch and dinner for the numerous deer, turkeys and other wildlife residents.

Miles of hiking and four wheel drive trails wind through the hills along with periodic blinds and tree stands for viewing wildlife. Six Mile Creek is home to several beavers who rebuild their dams with each spring rain. Additionally, the eagle and red-tail hawk population is rapidly increasing and providing birdwatchers and photographers with periodic breathtaking experiences.

TNT Farm and Pike County have earned it the title “Deer Capital of Illinois” due to the overwhelming population of white tail deer. It has been said that the deer outnumber humans by 2 to 1 and the abundant farmland nutrition provides an excellent diet for large Bucks and Does.

Given this location and history, Pike County provides photographers with a wide array of subjects to photograph 365 days of the year. From historical landmarks, Amish communities, Indian burial grounds and farming landscapes to wildlife and scenic sunsets, the rivers and hills of Pike County are waiting for the creative photographer’s touch.