Chicago outdoors: Cooper’s hawk, Illinois’ state lakes closed, Great Backyard Bird Count, morel hunting

A Cooper’s hawk, thoughts on closing of Illinois’ state lakes, numbers on the Great Backyard Bird Count and morel hunting during the coronavirus

SHARE Chicago outdoors: Cooper’s hawk, Illinois’ state lakes closed, Great Backyard Bird Count, morel hunting
James “Gomie” Gomez photographed this Cooper’s hawk. Provided

James “Gomie” Gomez photographed this Cooper’s hawk.

Provided

As usual, notes come from all over with the help of readers.

WILD OF THE WEEK

James “Gomie” Gomez photographed this Cooper’s hawk Monday and emailed, “Him and his partner were around all day. I think that they are going to nest near by.”

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. Send nominations to @BowmanOutside on Twitter or Instagram, to Dale Bowman on Facebook or email BowmanOutside@gmail.com.

WILD TIMES

HUNTER SAFETY

As of now, no classes will be listed until restrictions on public gatherings ease.

U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

As of now, no classes will be listed until restrictions on public gatherings ease.

SHOWTIME

Click here for master list of shows, classes, swap meets and seminars

POSTPONED TO 2021: Illinois Deer Classic

POSTPONED Walleyes Unlimited swap meet

SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL

POSTPONED Illinois & Chicago chapter’s fundraiser and banquet

REMINDER

Illinois DNR sites are closed, as of now.

ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS

Saturday, March 28, to next Sunday, March 29: First weekend of youth turkey season. (Remember, all IDNR sites are closed as of now).

Through April 30: Applications for resident firearm and muzzleloader deer hunting

DALE’S MAILBAG

“The closing of the state lakes in Illinois was a knee jerk reaction to the virus. What are the chances of a person getting the virus by putting in their boat in a lake and going fishing. This was a stupid and unnecessary move by the governor and the IDNR. Citizens of Illinois need to put pressure on these people and get the lakes open for us to use.” John Jackson

A: I sincerely hope the authorities consult with health officials again and allow individual outdoor use of the state lands. I think it is vital for mental health during these times of isolation.

BIG NUMBER

3: Records set by the 2020 Great Backyard Bird Count: number of participants (estimate 268,674), checklists (249,444), and species reported (6,942). Click here for the full summary.

LAST WORD

“Quarantine? Nope. I went Morel mushroom hunting. They are popping up in Alabama.”

Fareweill To Kings, tweet on Tuesday, (soon reports will build north through Illinois)

File photo of morel mushrooms, photographed in studio.....JON SALL/SUN-TIMES

File photo of morel mushrooms, photographed in studio.

JON SALL/SUN-TIMES

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