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Gretchen Steele

Gretchen Steele: It’s hunting season – time to think safety

Blogs, Featured, Hunting, Illinois, Opinion /

With fall hunting seasons getting underway in Illinois, it’s more important than ever that all outdoor user groups share our public lands safely.
Whether it’s the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, USFWS, or the U.S. Forest Service, all agencies governing public land strongly encourage all outdoor enthusiasts to practice safety measures when afield during hunting seasons.

Gretchen Steele: It’s hunting season – time to think safety Read More »

Gretchen Steele: Pawpaw picking time is a seasonal delight

Blogs, Featured, Illinois, Nature Page & Night Sky, Opinion /

“Picking up pawpaws, put ’em in my pocket, save ’em for a rainy day…”

This old children’s folk song often echoes as I wander through the damp, rain-soaked bottomland woods in September. These woods hold fond memories of walking alongside my mother, who would sing the same song as we searched for the sweet scent of ripe pawpaws.

Gretchen Steele: Pawpaw picking time is a seasonal delight Read More »

Gretchen Steele: Generosity runs deep at Kaskaskia Delta Waterfowl’s annual banquet in Illinois

Featured, Hunting, Illinois, National Hunting /

In every corner of the country, small, tight-knit communities are bound together by shared passions, histories, and a love for the land they call home. Two such groups are the “River Rats” and the waterfowlers who routinely hunt the lower Kaskaskia in Illinois.

Gretchen Steele: Generosity runs deep at Kaskaskia Delta Waterfowl’s annual banquet in Illinois Read More »

Gretchen Steele: Giant City State Park in Illinois introduces new trackchair to enhance trail accessibility

Blogs, Featured, Illinois, Nature Page & Night Sky, Opinion /

Giant City State Park near Makanda, Ill., is taking a significant step forward in making the outdoors more accessible to all. The park is excited to announce the addition of an Action Trackchair, a tool that opens up new possibilities for visitors with limited mobility.
If you’ve ever been to Giant City State Park, you know the beauty it holds — towering bluffs, lush forests, and winding trails that invite exploration. However, not all visitors have been able to fully experience these natural wonders, especially those who rely on wheelchairs or have other mobility challenges. That’s where the Action Trackchair comes in.

Gretchen Steele: Giant City State Park in Illinois introduces new trackchair to enhance trail accessibility Read More »

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

Featured, Illinois, Nature Page & Night Sky /

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.

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

Gretchen Steele: A hunter’s perspective on new CDC rules for dogs

Hunting, Illinois, National Hunting, Opinion /

As a hunter who’s spent countless hours in the wetlands with my trusty Labrador, the thrill of the chase and the bond with my dog are irreplaceable parts of the experience. This fall, however, those of us who cherish these moments might find ourselves entangled in a web of new regulations imposed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Starting Aug. 1, bringing dogs into the United States will come with a slew of new rules that could complicate our hunting trips, especially those across the Canadian border.

Gretchen Steele: A hunter’s perspective on new CDC rules for dogs Read More »

Gretchen Steele: The origin and evolution of the term “river rat”

Blogs, Illinois, Nature Page & Night Sky, Opinion /

Go ahead, feel free to call me a River Rat – I am indeed one who wears it as a badge of honor, although early in my life, I learned it’s not always used in a complimentary way. 
For me, the term “River Rat” evokes images of daring adventures, unwavering resilience, and a profound connection to the waterways that carve through our landscapes. But where did this term originate, and how has it evolved to describe a certain breed of people? Let’s embark on a journey into the history and cultural significance of the “River Rat.”

Gretchen Steele: The origin and evolution of the term “river rat” Read More »

Much-delayed Rend Lake Resort renovation revived in Illinois

Featured, Fishing, Illinois, Nature Page & Night Sky, News /

Rend Lake Resort, a popular southern Illinois destination, is finally seeing signs that a long-awaited renovation is becoming a reality.
Illinois Sen. Terri Bryant and State Rep. Dave Severin recently met with the media at the resort to announce that the plan’s initial phase to rehabilitate and reopen the once-popular DNR site has begun. The current focus of the work is on repairing and reconstructing the parking areas surrounding the resort.

Much-delayed Rend Lake Resort renovation revived in Illinois Read More »

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