Cardinal, WI wolves, IL perch, albino fawn question: Notes, Chicago outdoors

Notes from around Chicago outdoors.

FIELD NOTES

WILD OF THE WEEK

John Cuculich emailed, “I was definitely lucky to snap this at just the right time.’’

Wild of the Week, the celebration of wild scenes and photos 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

“Please tell us they took the albino fawn to a wildlife center?’’ James Mueller

A: No. As the IDNR reminds every spring, “well-meaning people may believe they are helping by taking possession of young wildlife such as young rabbits, fawn deer, baby birds and other animals that may appear to have been orphaned or abandoned. In nearly all cases, the birds and animals are still being fed and cared for by their parents, which likely stay away from nests or dens if people are present.’’ Click here to read the full release on leaving young wildlife alone.

BIG NUMBER

905-944: Overwinter minimum wolf count during the 2017-18 winter tracking in Wisconsin, a drop of 2.2 percent; but wolf packs increased from 232 to 238.

LAST WORD

“Father’s Day weekend we should be all be jumping for joy. And it is free fishing weekend.’’

Cory Gecht, Park Bait at Montrose Harbor, on perch prospects when the season reopens Saturday

WILD TIMES

ILLINOIS SEASONS/PERMITS

Friday: Frog hunting opens

Saturday: Perch fishing reopens on Lake Michigan, the Chicago River system and the Calumet River

June 30: Final day to apply, second lottery, firearm and muzzleloader deer seasons. Click here for more details.

June 30: Final day to apply, first lottery, dove permits for public sites. Click here for more details.

DUCKS UNLIMITED

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

Saturday: Third annual “Ducks at the Track Waterfowl Classic and Super 66 Great Gun Giveaway,’’ Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Contact Vicki Mandurano, (847) 553-7565.

FISH GATHERING

Tuesday: Capt. Al Johnson, Salmon Unlimited, Elk Grove Village VFW,, 7 p.m.

Wednesday: Capt. Ralph Steiger on clear-water smallmouth, Lake Geneva Fishing Club, Cabela’s, Hoffman Estates, 6 p.m.

HUNTER SAFETY

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

Thursday and Saturday: Newark, (815) 210-4995

July 10, 11, 17 and 19: Downers Grove, (630) 963-1300, class 371012-01

WINGSHOOTING CLINIC

(Click here for the statewide list)

June 23-24: Elburn, youth on Saturday, girls and women Sunday, (847) 309-1093 or joemigalla5@gmail.com

FREE FISHING DAYS

Friday-June 18: Illinois’ Free Fishing Days

U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

(Click here for full listings of classes in the area)

Saturday: About Boating Safely, Chicago, Dan O’Connell, doc731@yahoo.com . . . About Boating Safely, Fox Lake, Winston Tumaneng, winstoncgaux@gmail.com

ILLINOIS OUTDOOR HALL OF FAME

Friday: Deadline make nominations, (217) 785-2003

NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION

(Click here for general list of banquets and events)

PHEASANTS FOREVER

(Click here for general list of Illinois PF events)