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Commentary: It’s time to bring back Illinois’ deer check stations

The author writes that check stations during Illinois deer seasons were community events – hunters and non-hunters would hang out, visit, and praise the new hunters for their first deer. (Stock photo by Bill Key)

On the opening weekend of firearms deer season in Illinois, I made the rounds, checking in to hear all the great deer stories.
I stopped at processors to see how the numbers looked and to get a look at what was coming in. Over and over I heard a constant refrain this year – the same as I hear every year: “I sure wish we still had check stations.”

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