Notes from around Chicago outdoors.
FIELD NOTES
MOREL OF THE WEEK
John Sanders sent this photo of a massive morel, which Richie Burian, his friend of 20 years, found near sycamore trees at Shuhart Creek Whitetails in Warsaw, Ill.
Morel of the Week, a celebration of morel mushrooms around Chicago outdoors, runs on Sundays on the Sun-Times outdoors page as warranted in the spring. Send nominations by Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside) or email (straycasts@sbcglobal.net).
DALE’S MAILBAG
Q: “I’d like to take my husband on a fishing trip for his birthday. We’ve never done this before. Could you recommend someone who can take care of a couple of older folks like ourselves?’’ Georgiana
A: There is the Chicago Sportfishing Association and Waukegan Charter Boat Association. I would start with Capt. Bob Poteshman (click here for info) or Capt. Ralph Steiger (click here for info).
Credit: Courtesy Wisconsin DNR
BIG NUMBER
4.96: Ounces of Wisconsin’s inaugural hook-and-line record for rainbow smelt, caught by Tanner Derusha, 9, while ice fishing on Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay.
LAST WORD
“Turtles are not able to move quickly to avoid a car, so it’s up to drivers to avoid hitting them. Horns and flashing lights don’t faze them, so it’s up to attentive drivers to be aware and try to avoid hitting these animals.’’
Dan Thompson, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, alerting on turtles
WILD TIMES
HUNTER SAFETY
(Click here for full package of northeast Illinois hunter safety classes)
May 4 and 7: Woodstock, mchenryilhs@gmail.com
May 12-13: Zion, hunterssafety@5starfirearms.com
May 18 and 20: Newark, (815) 210-4995
May 30-31: Chicago, carryinillinois.com/hunter-safety-course.html
FISH GATHERING
Monday, May 1: Bryan Partak on river fishing, Oswegoland Fishin’ Fools, Allied First Bank, Oswego, 7 p.m.
ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS
Through today, April 30: Illinois residents may apply for first lottery, firearm and muzzleloader-only deer permits. Click here for details
Spring turkey hunting: Fourth season, north zone, through Wednesday, May 3; fifth season, south, through Thursday, May 4; fifth season, north, Thursday, May 4 to May 11
DUCKS UNLIMITED
(Click here for the general list of Illinois DU events)
Thursday, May 4: Naperville dinner, White Eagle Golf Club. Click here for details
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION
(Click here for general list of banquets and events)
Thursday, May 4: Windy City Longbeards banquet, Erie Street Cafe, Chicago. Click here for details
PHEASANTS FOREVER
(Click here for general list of Illinois PF events)
RELATED CONTENT
A morning birding southern Illinois: Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve
Generous gesture gives younger kid Fish of Week: Greatest story
