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Gretchen Steele: About now, Illinois outdoorsmen yearn for spring

A gobbler rests at the edge of a snowy field. Like humans, Illinois wildlife and plant life eagerly anticipate the beginning of spring and the birth of a new season. (Photo by John Hafner)

There’s a particular kind of ache that settles into southern Illinois by early March. As I write this in the early morning hours, the temperature is a cool 16 degrees, and the wind chill is sub-zero at minus 2 degrees. It’s hard to believe that just a few days ago we were enjoying a preview of spring with temps in the 70’s.

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