Notes from around Chicago outdoors.
FIELD NOTES
WILD OF THE WEEK
Joe Paton and his wife Linda photographed this mandarin duck in Orland Hills earlier this fall. It is unknown whether it is a released, escaped or a wayward bird. WOTW, the celebration of wild scenes and stories around Chicago outdoors, runs as warranted on Sundays on the Sun-Times outdoors page. Send nominations by Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside) or email straycasts@sbcglobal.net.
DALE’S MAILBAG
Part of the former Rend Lake Resort, as viewed from the water.
Dale Bowman/Sun-Times
Dale Bowman
“Anything happening at rend as far as Rend Lake Resort?” Sean Zebell
A: Illinois Department of Natural Resources spokesman Tim Schweizer emailed, “IDNR is preparing a new Request for Proposals that will seek an operator for the resort at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area.” The RFP should be ready in the next few weeks.
BIG NUMBER
Starved Rock State Park file photo.
Dale Bowman/Sun-Times
2,629: Acres near Starved Rock and Matthiessen state parks, acquired by by Illinois from Lone Star Industries Inc., Gov. Bruce Rauner announced Thursday. The IDNR will manage it and plans habitat restoration, trails, campground, picnic areas, boat/paddling access and hunting and fishing areas.
LAST WORD
“The Bucks stepped up for birds in a way that no sports franchise ever has. Hopefully the team’s message, that designing with birds in mind is an achievable goal, will set Fiserv Forum up as a model for arenas, stadiums, and all other buildings for years to come.”
Bird City Wisconsin’s former director Bryan Lenz, on the Milwaukee Bucks with Fiserv Forum, the the world’s first bird-friendly sports and entertainment arena.
WILD TIMES
ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS
Ongoing:Over-the-counter sales of remaining deer hunting permits
Saturday: Upland-game hunting opens
Saturday-Sunday: South-central zone, youth waterfowl hunt
Nov. 14: First dove season ends
Nov. 16: Rail season ends
Through Dec. 1: Applications for first lottery, spring turkey hunting
Through Feb. 28: Crow season opened Sunday and runs through Feb. 28
HUNTER SAFETY
(Click here for full package of northeast Illinois hunter safety classes)
Friday-Saturday, Nov. 2-3:Arlington Heights, huntsafety.webs.com . . . Bartlett, (847) 608-3100 . . . Dyer, Ind., (219) 515-2197
Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 3-4: Morris, rainbowcouncil.org (click event registration)
FISH GATHERINGS
Wednesday: Bass pro Chris Groh, “Dissecting New Waters Quickly,” Walleyes Unlimited, Gurnee American Legion, 7 p.m., walleyesunlimitedusa.org
PHEASANTS FOREVER
(Click here for general list of Illinois PF events)
DUCKS UNLIMITED
(Click here for the general list of Illinois DU events)
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION
(Click here for general list of banquets and events)
U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
(Click here for full listings of classes in the area)
