Bad weather hampers deer harvest in upper Illinois
By Don Fraim, Special to the Pekin Times (12/05/07)

Deer hunters in the upper half of the state did not fare as well as they would have liked this past weekend because of the bad weather. I was goose hunting in a heated blind in Victoria and it was nearly unbearable. The ice and wind was sharp as a knife, cutting to the bone, but it was still fun. The power was out in the area for most of the day and night. Cooking fresh back straps on the grill in an ice storm was a challenge, but boy, they sure made me forget about the hardships. It's these type of experiences that put the spice and flavor into out outdoor experiences.

Enduring long periods of hardship for a moment of pure soul-satisfying excitement is what it's about. There are primitive instincts that come alive within when we enjoy the great outdoors. When you're in the wilderness, something as simple as a fire can bring unspeakable joy and comfort. Our outdoor adventures bring us back to the simple things and experiences to remember forever.

Early Success
Several times area hunters were successful on the opening weekend of firearms deer season. Among those reported were Earl Martin III of East Peoria, who took down a 15-point buck at Jubilee College State Park in Peoria. Meanwhile, 81-year-old Havana resident Rudy Stinauer dropped a 12-point buck in Knox County. Elsewhere, Kristie Knott of Mapleton landed an 11 point buck in Schuyler County, Jennica Joos of Deer Creek bagged a 7-point buck on opening day, and Tammy Jo Stetler of Glasford was also successful.