Really cool pileated woodpecker: Notes on Chicago outdoors

Notes from around Chicago outdoors.

FIELD NOTES

WILD OF THE WEEK

Elizabeth Pector took this classic photograph on March 12 of a pileated woodpecker at the Morton Arboretum.

WILD TIMES

HUNTER SAFETY

April 9-10: Chicago, (630) 479-0708 . . . Beecher, huntedclass@aol.com

April 12, 14, 19, 21: Downers Grove, (630) 963-1300

April 14 & 16: St. Charles, (630) 444-3190

April. 16-17: Morris, (815) 941-3122

DUCKS UNLIMITED

Thursday: Windy City Dinner, Elmcrest Banquets, Elmwood Park. Contact Bill Fester, (312) 208-7119

PHEASANTS FOREVER

Thursday: McHenry County banquet, D’Andrea’s Banquets, Crystal Lake. Contact Bob Veugeler, (815) 575-2997

DALE’S MAILBAG

Q: “Dale, can you verify if this a pink salmon or not? [It was] 19 inches, caught at 87th on Saturday.’’ Mike Caveney

A:I emailed Vic Santucci, Lake Michigan Program manager. He sent back this: “Squared-off tail and spots below the lateral line are brown trout characteristics. Hard to tell for sure from the pictures, but it also appears to have an adipose and maxillary clip. If so, it is likely a Seaforellen brown stocked by Wisconsin.’’ I feel like Doctor Watson.

BIG NUMBER

1,015: Archers from 35 schools expected for the National Archery in the Schools Program Illinois State Tournament on April 2 at the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield; a dramatic jump from 400 archers in 2012.

LAST WORD

“We are trying to to be as conservative as we can. and still keep the doors open.’’

A site superintendent in northeast Illinois, on how they are managing fuel and heating during Illinois’ unprecedented budget impasse