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An experience for the books: joys of youth hunt

Youth deer season is about adapting to the conditions for your child, including peeling off all their insulated layers in a warm blind and maybe even reading a book. (Photo by Jeremiah Haas)

My alarm went off at 4 a.m., but my body was having none of it. It was a Saturday – Oct. 7 to be exact – the first day of Illinois’ youth firearm deer season and it was 39 degrees.
My wife and daughter were out of town for volleyball, so it was just us boys. A quick hit of the snooze button and I was back to sleep. But before I got back into that deep REM sleep, my ears heard the squeak of the door handle, and it was a 12-year-old boy peeking in to see if I was getting dressed yet. Even though my body was wanting sleep, his excitement for the day could not be contained. I think we all remember those days.

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