Oh, the anomaly! Drawing for waterfowl blinds on Wolf Lake at William Powers SRA

Nicky Strahl, wildlife/hunting heritage biologist for the IDNR, waits at William Powers State Recreation Area while Giorgio Santoro draws the first card at the drawing for waterfowl blinds on Wolf Lake. (Dale Bowman)

Nicky Strahl grilled hot dogs at noon Saturday behind the pavilion where the waterfowl-blind draw for Wolf Lake would be held at William W. Powers State Recreation Area. Some duck hunters, telling stories, gathered hours ahead of the 2 p.m. draw. Others lunched at nearby picnic tables.

Chicago has hunting on its Southeast Side. Those duck hunters are dedicated. That was fortunate for Patrick Burgess, a first-timer who used the hours to ask questions and listen.