A south suburban white squirrel, a muskrat swimming off Chicago, the early count of sandhill cranes in Indiana and a big fish are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors.

By Dale Bowman

A white squirrel at George W. Dunne National Golf Club. Provided by Adam Bolt — A white squirrel at George W. Dunne National Golf Club.

Notes come from all around Chicago outdoors.

WILD OF THE WEEK

Adam Bolt, at the urging of Andrew Richert, sent a photo of a white squirrel at George W. Dunne National Golf Club in Oak Forest. For some reason, there has been a spurt of white squirrels on the far South/Southwest Side and near south/southwest suburbs.

WOTW, the celebration of wild stories and photos around Chicago outdoors, runs most weeks in the special two-page outdoors section in the Sun-Times Sports Saturday. Submit nominations by message on Facebook (Dale Bowman), on Twitter (@BowmanOutside) and Instagram (@BowmanOutside) or email (BowmanOutside@gmail.com).

WILD TIMES

HUNTER SAFETY

Oct. 24-25: Joliet, (815) 935-2700

ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS

Today, Oct. 18: Final day, youth waterfowl hunt, central zone

Monday, Oct. 19: North zone white-fronted goose (specklebelly) hunting opens

Tuesday, Oct.. 20: Over-the-counter firearm deer permits go on sale

Saturday, Oct. 24: Central zone duck and Canada goose open . . .. Fall shotgun turkey opens

DALE’S MAILBAG

“While I was canoeing [last week] on Lake Michigan off Rogers Park, I saw what I think might be a muskrat swimming along the shore just north of Leone Beach. I followed it along the shore for 10-15 minutes up to around Howard Beach. I last saw a muskrat in the lake about five years ago.” Larry

A: I am always curious why a muskrat would go to Lake Michigan when there are lagoons and ponds nearby.

BIG NUMBER

3,790: Sandhill crane count Tuesday (second of the fall) at Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area, southeast of Valparaiso, Ind. Click here for the latest update on the sandhill count at Jasper-Pulaski.

LAST WORD

“It’s truly amazing the trophy fish that lake produces with the amount of pressure it receives. A testament to all those that help make it such.”

Ken “Husker” O’Malley, on Chase Rockstead catching a record walleye from Shabbona Lake, most intensely fished lake in Illinois and a lake receiving much volunteer assistance.

Next Up In Outdoors

High hopes for Heidecke Lake fishing: Prospects look good for the season, despite a brutal opener

Chicago fishing, Midwest Fishing Report: Hoping on a warm-up, coho, smallmouth, browns, steelhead

A little help from friends on bagging first spring gobbler leads to Turkey of the Week

An old favorite of the Chicago River, the common carp, still have ‘Big Shoulders’ downtown

Chicago outdoors: Frog sounds question, inquisitive mink, early hummingbird, big Shabbona walleye

Rare wild turkey sightings along lakefront come to a tragic end

Chicago outdoors: White squirrel, Lake Michigan muskrat, Indiana sandhill cranes, big fish

A south suburban white squirrel, a muskrat swimming off Chicago, the early count of sandhill cranes in Indiana and a big fish are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors.