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Gretchen Steele: Bear encounters in Illinois are a summer surprise for the state’s outdoor enthusiasts

Bears visiting Illinois this summer have thus far avoided being captured in clear photographs. This one could not escape the camera last summer in Antioch. (Photo courtesy of Lake County)

As a proud southern Illinoisian, I couldn’t resist sharing the news of this summer’s multiple bear sightings across south Illinois. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has issued an exciting alert for all outdoor enthusiasts.
This summer, be on the lookout for a rare and extraordinary sight: black bears in Illinois. While bear sightings in our state are not common, they are certainly within the realm of possibility, especially with neighboring states like Missouri and Wisconsin hosting established bear populations.

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