Most bowhunters view early- to mid-October (the October Lull) as a waste of their time in the deer woods. The biggest misconception about the Lull is…
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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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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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The arrival of cold weather doesn’t mean you have to abandon your favorite outdoor activities and wait until the return of warm weather before…
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I remember being just old enough to legally hunt big game in New York State—back then, you had to be 16 to hunt big game—and carrying a…
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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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For an exciting change of pace, if you already have a canoe, why not try canoe camping? Fall is a great time of the year to be outside and on the…
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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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It’s September, and the coming of fall equals an abundance of autumnal harvest…in the woods. Foraging is currently all the rage at top…
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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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Of the four seasons, fall is by far the most popular for riding ATVs that seat one or two people, and “side-by-sides” that seat two to…
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There was a time when camp food for a weekend overnight revolved around hot dogs, canned goods, and tasteless dehydrated dinners. Fortunately, those…
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As the leaves start falling from the trees and the winter chill starts to roll in, the crowds and pesky bugs dissipate from the hiking trails. And if…
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There are a lot of fishing opportunities out there that may seem exotic or hard to come by at first. Dig a little deeper, though, and you’ll…
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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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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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Despite what we may see on television, deer usually do not drop in their tracks at the shot. Sometimes, too, “stuff” happens and the shot…
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While deer hunting takes many forms in a variety of different habitats and terrains, one thing is for certain: The more time you can spend afield,…
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The warm days and crisp, cool nights of autumn make the perfect conditions for a weekend hiking and camping excursion. There is nothing quite like…
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It’s mid-September, and instead of sitting in bumper to bumper traffic awaiting your turn at the Yosemite National Park entry gate,…
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If you felt an absence of excitement during the lull between the Olympic and Paralympic Games, you needn’t have worried. The Paralympic Games…
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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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Duck hunting is one of the easiest hunting sports for new shotgunners to expand into. Ample public-land hunting opportunities abound for waterfowlers…
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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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It’s hard not to get a scenic vista when you’re paddling. Throw in the changing colors of autumn, however, and you’re in for a real…
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As much as America is a country defined by grit, franchise hamburgers, and interstate highways, you could also say ours is a nation defined by deer.…
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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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Visiting America's abundant and diverse state parks for a camping trip is a great way to make the most of summertime. With natural beauty and plenty…
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Autumn is the season of dynamic changes for fishermen, and sort of a mirror image of spring. Where spawning runs typically define spring fishing,…
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If you're on the search for trophy brown trout, fall is the optimal time to get on the water. You can chase browns in any season, but if you're…
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Don't let the shorter days and fewer daylight hours of autumn deter you from getting outside for a hike. Packing a headlamp not only keeps you safe…
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Fall is a fantastic time for hiking: the weather’s cooler, the foliage is beautiful, and wildlife sighting opportunities abound. This makes…
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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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Most how-to deer hunting pieces tell you how to set a treestand or how to trim a shooting lane. Some may even offer some wisdom on setting up between…
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Walleyes and a variety of salmon are on the autumn menu in the Midwest as anglers have a last chance to fish open water before the winter freeze…
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When the leaves start to turn, in many parts of the United States, particularly the Great Lakes region, steelhead start to run—as do steelhead…
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Autumn is prime time for many of the country’s favorite species of sport fish. This is because, as water temperatures drop, many species either…
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Just because fall is here doesn’t mean your paddling adventures have to end. In fact, many die-hard paddlers know the real fun is just…
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An old fishing saw says, “You can't buy happiness, but you can go fishing, and that's pretty much the same thing.”And right now, when the…
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Soak up the autumn hues of red, orange, and yellow from the back of your four-wheeler. Riding through deciduous forests on the back of an ATV gives…
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Hunting knives come in a mind-boggling array of shapes and sizes. New hunters often think a 10-inch Bowie-style survival knife is all they need to…
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Every year, it feels like the summer camping and backpacking season flies by in a flash. If where you live is like my region of the US, your outdoor…
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Illinois is home to hundreds of bird species thanks to the diverse habitats throughout the state. The preservation of these wetlands, prairies,…
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Late summer and early fall are some of the best days of the year for camping. Days are still warm, nights are cool, the bugs are gone, and…
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Choosing a list of top 10 favorite deer hunting cartridges is no easy task, particularly since there are so many suitable cartridges that could make…
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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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Crappie fishing is often associated with open water, cane poles, live minnows and brush piles, but by the time autumn arrives the popular panfish…
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There is no better time to hit the trail than late summer/early fall. Trails really open up once the kids head back to school, leaving trails…
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Do you know these 10 essential camping skills? Learn them and they are bound to improve all your…
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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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