Treasure Island
Emily Ann Bosler for SPLIT REED
As most waterfowlers are well aware, Southeast Missouri is quite the sportsman’s paradise. In an area that is saturated with duck camps and guide services, Treasure Island Outfitters aims to set itself apart from the rest. Owner Marshall Pearson saw an opening for an all-inclusive luxury lodging and waterfowl hunting operation, so in 2020 he created exactly that. “I’ve been to camps all over the country, and I can confidently say that our accommodations are top-notch”, said Pearson. Elk Chute Lodge, where you’ll reside during your tenure hunting with TIO, serves as a stunning backdrop to warm up and wind down. Treasure Island provides you with all of the comforts of home and then some, from breakfast in the blind to fine dining in the evening and everything in between.
While the amenities are an added bonus, the hunts are of an equally high caliber. When booking a three-day trip with Treasure Island, you can expect to see a different field every day, with one of those days being spent in the woods. This season, Pearson has secured a new farm featuring 1500 acres of prime real estate with private access to the river. Watching greenheads pour into the flooded timber without having to endure the boat ramp brawl? Sign me up. If you don’t get your fix from mallards alone, though, Treasure Island also boasts mixed bag rice field hunts, as well as dry field speck hunts. When asked to pick his personal favorite hunt, Pearson said, “All that matters to me is that when someone comes to hunt with us, they can pull the trigger on something. At the end of the day, people come to kill ducks. That’s what keeps the customer happy, so that’s what keeps me happy.”
Pearson is using these initial years of business to ensure that he acquires and maintains the premier properties in the area, “We’re trying to take it to the next level” he shared. While Treasure Island is only in its second season of business, its guides are far from new to the sport. Pearson himself has 7 years of guiding experience behind him and has utilized those years to recognize and hire guides who perform at the highest level. At Treasure Island though, your day doesn’t end in the blind. “We don’t hunt until lunch and then disappear on you. My guys will hang out with you, shoot skeet, drink beer, whatever you’re looking for, we can make it happen” said Pearson. While you may be able to find a similar hunt in the area, the entire experience at TIO is unparalleled in the area. “The food, the lodge, and the company can’t be beaten,” Pearson added.
Treasure Island Outfitters also welcomes every variety of hunting groups with equal enthusiasm. From the corporate group of professionals seeking a retreat to the college buddies eager to post a new pile pic to the grid, to the parents hoping to introduce their children to the sport for the first time- Treasure Island has a seat at the table for all. “While most of us are younger guys (under 30), we can cater to any clientele,” said Pearson. As the 2021-2022 season nears its start, there is no doubt that Treasure Island Outfitters will continue to be one to watch. With the most coveted real estate secured, you can expect to see an incredible yield of birds from TIO in the year ahead. One disclaimer though, after experiencing the amenities here, you may never want to hunt anywhere else again, which is just fine with Marshall Pearson.
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