Hummingbird, bed fish ethics, remembering Mel Johnson: Notes, Chicago outdoors

By Dale Bowman

Notes from around Chicago outdoors.

FIELD NOTES

WILD OF THE WEEK

Jim McGowan came through with his annual dandy photograph of a hummingbird in Alsip.

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

“For me the mystery of pulling catch from deep is more entertaining than teasing a fish out of bed. I’d be pissed if someone dragged me out of bed. Not to say I don’t break my own rules a few times!’’ Howard Bass, a pithy section of a longer note about a trip to northern Wisconsin.

A: He nailed it.

A reproduction of Mel Johnsons buck at a Bass Pro Shop.<br>Dale Bowman/Sun-Times — A reproduction of Mel Johnsons buck at a Bass Pro Shop.
Dale Bowman/Sun-Times

BIG NUMBER

204 4/8: Score in inches of the late Mel Johnson’s archery world-record for typical whitetail, taken Oct. 29, 1965 in Peoria County.

Mel Johnson, who arrowed the world-record typical whitetail buck taken by a bowhunter on Oct. 29, 1965, at a show appearance a couple years ago.<br>Dale Bowman/Sun-Times — Mel Johnson, who arrowed the world-record typical whitetail buck taken by a bowhunter on Oct. 29, 1965, at a show appearance a couple years ago.
Dale Bowman/Sun-Times

LAST WORD

“RIP Mel! He once told me someone called every year and asked him how it felt to have his record broken. He said `I tell them to call me back when it is panel-scored and they never call.’ Great guy.’’

Bowhunter editor Curt Wells, on the death May 24 of Mel Johnson, whose archery world record for typical whitetail has stood since 1965. Click here for the full post.

WILD TIMES

ILLINOIS SEASONS/PERMITS

June 15: Frog hunting opens

Through June 15: Perch fishing closure 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.

FISH GATHERING

Thursday: In-house swap meet, Midwest Musky Club, Village Sportsmen’s Club, Alsip, 7:30 p.m.

HUNTER SAFETY

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

Saturday-Sunday: Hainesville, hsclass111@gmail.com

June 14 and 16: Newark, (815) 210-4995

WINGSHOOTING CLINIC