What started as an idea around the kitchen table has grown into one of southeast Missouri’s most well-known hunting lodges.

Elk Chute Lodge was built in 2017 in Gobler, Missouri, and is proudly owned and operated by Stuart and Jill Worrell, along with their daughters Hannah, Abby, and Macey, and son-in-law Evan.

Before opening the lodge, Stuart spent his life farming in Rives, Missouri — working alongside his father, Parker, his brother, Steve, and his nephew, Zach — raising rice and soybeans across nearly 6,000 acres in the Rives and Gobler area. Situated in the heart of the Mississippi Flyway, this region is known nationwide as one of the premier destinations for waterfowl hunting. Each winter, thousands of ducks and geese migrate through this corridor, turning the flooded rice fields and surrounding wetlands into a hunter’s paradise.

As more and more hunters began visiting the area, Stuart noticed a common theme — everyone loved the hunting, but there just wasn’t anywhere comfortable to stay. After hearing countless stories from hunters and guide services about the need for clean, welcoming accommodations, he decided to do something about it.

That’s when Elk Chute Lodge was born.

With his farming background and a strong work ethic, Stuart designed the lodge from the ground up with hunters in mind — a place built for comfort, camaraderie, and convenience. From spacious areas to prepare food and clean game, to cozy rooms, warm kennels for dogs, and gathering spaces for swapping hunting stories at the end of the day — every detail was intentional.

What began as one building with 10 bedrooms and 20 beds has steadily grown into a full lodge complex featuring five buildings with 36 bedrooms and 89 beds. The property now includes the Main Lodge, two Bunkhouses, the South Wing, and the North Wing, offering plenty of space for both small groups and large hunting parties.

Today, Stuart has traded in full-time farming for full-time hospitality. What started as a side project has become a thriving, family-run business that welcomes hunters from all across the United States.

At Elk Chute Lodge, guests experience more than just a place to stay — they become part of a community built on tradition, hard work, and a shared love of the outdoors.

Here at Elk Chute Lodge we strive to maintain a clean, comfortable, and enjoyable atmosphere for all of our guest. We promise that throughout your stay with us we will endeavor to meet the high standards that you expect when you come on a high class hunting trip. We promise to provide an efficient, friendly and helpful service to all of our guests. Should anything not be to your satisfaction, please do not hesitate to tell us. We welcome any comments or suggestions you may have to enable use to provide you with an even better service. Our dedicated, well-trained management and staff are committed to listening to our guests’ suggestions and comments in striving to exceed their expectations when staying at our lodge.