ATVs—shorthand for “all terrain vehicles”—are one way to explore areas of land that you might not otherwise be able to…
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ATVs are off-road vehicles, designed to allow access to trails and other hard-to-reach areas. The earliest designs from the 1970s were three-wheeled.…
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Working out at the gym can get mundane for outdoor enthusiasts, so many decide to pursue invigorating hikes in nature. From rock formations to scenic…
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Coming up with a theme for a party can be tough. Do you go with an ’80s or ’90s theme? A TV show theme? A holiday theme? Why not do something…
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Scenic hikes are relaxing, inspiring, and invigorating for both new and experienced hikers. There are hundreds of hiking trails throughout Illinois…
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Illinois’ diverse natural landscapes and abundant state parks have led to the many great hiking trails around the state. With thousands of…
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Nothing beats running on a nature trail through wilderness. Illinois offers hundreds of running trails, all of which boast scenic views around every…
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Here’s the picture: you’re sitting around a campfire, roasting weenies and telling ghost stories as the night closes in around you.…
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The end of the trail is near, at least for today. As you walk into your campsite and remove your pack from your back, the breeze feels good after a…
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Every time I go camping with friends, I learn a new trick or discover a piece of gear that makes life outdoors more comfortable. But there are some…
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For most of us, fishing conjures up images of a lazy day on the water, occasionally reeling in some finned beauties which are then proudly displayed…
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Camping creates fond family memories, and Illinois is home to many great campgrounds for your next family getaway. Whether you’re looking for a…
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Paddleboarding is a unique experience, granting paddlers a new perspective of a river, lake, reservoir, or ocean. Not only is this water sport…
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While Illinois doesn’t seem like an ideal spot for rock climbing, it offers several cool spots for rock climbers looking to experience scenic…
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RV camping provides the perfect opportunity to get away from the daily mundane routines and stresses of our modern lifestyles. Illinois offers many…
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There’s nothing quite like jet skiing on a calm, beautiful lake surrounded by nature. The abundant lakes in Illinois provide many opportunities…
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Archery is a sport that nearly knows no age. You can enjoy shooting a bow from childhood through your senior years. The archer skill-set is…
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Kayaking allows you to experience nature at its finest—on the water’s surface surrounded by wildlife. Illinois has many beautiful rivers…
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Feeling ready to dip a paddle into some cool waters this summer? Take your pick from kayaking, canoeing or stand-up paddleboarding….but…
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Illinois’ locally-owned bait shops offer fresh, high-quality bait and expert fishing advice. What more could you ask for? Whether you’re…
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When you’re first starting archery, you’re bound to notice the many different accessories being used by the experienced archers at your range and the…
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Illinois offers plenty of opportunities for backpacking in the many scenic landscapes throughout the state. With such a wide variety of landscapes…
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Bass are America’s favorite sportfish and also the most accessible. Whether they’re the largemouth, spotted or smallmouth variety, bass…
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Time was that hunters went after gobblers with No. 2 lead shot and whatever shotgun they owned. And for those just getting in to turkey hunting,…
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Most turkey hunters will openly admit that every male turkey they encounter in spring is different. Just as no two hunts are the same, no two…
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Canoe camping transforms a regular old camping trip into a more adventurous excursion, but it's pivotal to take the steps to properly prepare. You…
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Last year’s turkey season treated me very well, with four longbeards falling to my arrows in three different states. A bit of luck certainly…
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Spring may be just around the corner, but many parts of the country are only now starting to thaw out from a long, cold winter. If you’re…
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Catching bass is never an easy proposition. As winter gradually morphs into early spring, however, it becomes less of a challenge. Dynamic changes…
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Taking your family on an antler hike puts a new twist on spring day hikes and sharpens everyone’s abilities to observe what’s around them…
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Now that spring is in the air and warmer temperatures are nearly upon us, it’s time to start thinking about that first camping excursion of the…
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Hunters who consistently kill turkeys on public land each year have adapted their own set of tactics through trial and error. After five years of…
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Wild turkeys can be alternately the easiest and most available game animals to hunt and also the most elusive and diabolically maddening. They live…
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Spring is finally here, which means sunshine and warmer temperatures aren’t far behind. But before you hit the trail for your first hike,…
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There once was a time when carrying electronic devices with us into the great outdoors was pretty much unthinkable. Fragile and expensive, such…
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Learning how to properly pack a backpack is a true art form that every outdoor enthusiast should master. Whether you’re heading into the…
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Sprawling across thousands of acres with twinkling lakes and lush vegetation, Fox Ridge State Park is the ideal escape. Whether you’re looking…
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One of the hottest trends in hiking and backpacking over the past few years has been the shift toward going ultralight on the trail. Typically, this…
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It’s nice to have company along when you’re heading out for a day or two of fishing, and is there any better companionship than your dog?…
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Treestands are one of the most popular and effective methods of deer hunting throughout the eastern half of our country. Being perched high in a tree…
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Have you ever watched a professional archer shoot a brilliant set of arrows, and wondered how they did it? We asked five top archers how they started…
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There are so many perfect spots for adventures with your pup in the great state of Illinois. The state has an abundance of dog-friendly trails and…
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Mountains have them, municipalities have them, so why shouldn’t waterways have them as well? I’m talking about trails that keep you on a…
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What if I told you about a hunting opportunity that’s happening right now, which offers abundant access to productive land, requires a minimum…
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It’s sweltering out, and the air conditioning is beckoning, but you’re longing to get away on just one more camping trip of the summer.…
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When it comes to fishing with kids, conventional wisdom says to find a place where they can catch any fish with a high level of frequency and…
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There is nothing quite like a spring or summer camping trip to help us reconnect with nature and recharge our batteries. The warmer weather is a…
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Fuel prices are a lot like the weather: Lots of folks talk about them, but there’s not much you can do about them. The price at the pump…
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The names of some bass fisheries resonate with anglers on a national scale: Okeechobee, Kentucky Lake, Guntersville, Havasu, Clear Lake, Lake Fork,…
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If you’ve been on a vacation to an outdoor destination in the past few years, you’ve likely noticed a new phenomenon: cycle paths, single…
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