Squirrel, promise, trout, elk: Notes around Chicago outdoors

UPDATED: There was an emergency change to speaker for the Walleyes Unlimited on Wednesday. See below

Notes from around Chicago outdoors.

FIELD NOTES

WIlD OF THE WEEK

Elizabeth Pector photographed this squirrel for National Squirrel Appreciation Day back on Jan. 21. And no, I did not realize there was a National Squirrel Appreciation Day.

Wild of the Week, a celebration of wild scenes around Chicago outdoors, runs on Sundays on the Sun-Times outdoors page as warranted. Send nominations by Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside) or email (straycasts@sbcglobal.net).

DALE’S MAILBAG

Q: “I’m curious about the inland trout. Where are the locations they plant them [in Cook County]? I fished Busse Lake in the fall, but my friend said they are not planted there in the spring.’’ Blessings, Mark

A: Spring inland trout season opens statewide Saturday, April 1, for Pastor Jones and others. Busse is not on the spring stocked lists. In Cook County, the lakes stocked in spring are Wolf, Green, Axehead, Belleau, Sag Quarry East and Horsetail (new as a spring site).

BIG NUMBER

28: Kentucky elk that arrived in the Flambeau River State Forest in Sawyer County, Wis. Once released from quarantine, they join the Clam Lake herd.

LAST WORD

“By May 1, we will have those ramps [at 95th Street] back in shape. You have my promise.’’

Scott Stevenson, Westrec Marinas, during the Mayor’s Fishing Advisory Committee meeting Thursday

WILD TIMES

HUNTER SAFETY

(Click here for full package of northeast Illinois hunter safety classes)

April 1-2: Hainesville, (847) 223-5700

April 4, 6, 11, 13: Downers Grove, (630) 963-1300 class 471009-01

April 8-9: Chicago, (630) 479-0708

April 29-30: Palatine, click here and it is program number 203560

FISH GATHERING

(UPDATED FOR EMERGENCY REPLACEMENT) Wednesday, March 29: Capt. Chris Taurisano, Walleyes Unlimited, Gurnee American Legion, 7 p.m., click here for info

DUCKS UNLIMITED

(Click here for the general list of Illinois DU events)

Wednesday, March 29: Silver Springs Volunteer Drive, free, Millhurst Ale House, Yorkville. Contact Mike Andersen, (630) 864-8676

ILLINOIS SEASONS

Saturday-Sunday, April 1-2:Statewide youth turkey hunt

NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION

(Click here for general list of banquets and events)

Saturday, April 1: Will County Cutters Heritage Banquet, Cardinal Creek Golf Club, Beecher. Contact Troy Claus at (708) 946-3537 or email blacklab99@comcast.net

SHOWTIME

(Click here or the exhaustive list of shows, seminars, swap meets and auctions)

Saturday, April 1: Used & Antique Fishing Lure Flea Market: Zion Lutheran Church, McHenry, 8 a.m.-noon, contact Jim, (847) 767-9768 or Jitterbug69@comcast.net

PHEASANTS FOREVER

(Click here for general list of Illinois PF events)