Early velvet antlers, divining the shapes of morels, grouse drumming and the rise of fishing in these times are in the notes around Chicago outdoors.

By Dale Bowman

Bucks with antlers in velvet. Provided by Bill Peak. — Bucks with antlers in velvet.

Notes come from all around Chicago outdoors.

BUCK OF THE WEEK: UNPLUGGED

From Indiana, Bill Peak emailed, “While on my way to the Lake County Fairgrounds for my morning walk, I found a group of whitetails and I stopped to take a few photos (of course) and came to realize take two of them where bucks that were beginning to grow their racks for the coming season. Nice to find them this early.”

BOTW Unplugged, the celebration of live big bucks around Chicago outdoors, runs as apt 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

FISH GATHERINGS

NOTE: As of next week, I will begin listing club meetings done online.

ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS

Through June 15: Perch fishing on Lake Michigan closed.

Through June 30: Second lottery, Illinois firearm/muzzleloader deer permit applications

DALE’S MAILBAG

A morel, found in southwestern Michigan, that looks like Michigan. Provided by Bailey Gruss of Bailey G. Photography & Unsalted Studios — A morel, found in southwestern Michigan, that looks like Michigan.

“I wanted to share with you a morel I found this past Sunday. I live in Southwest Michigan and I came across this Michigan-shaped Morel on Mother’s Day! Found in Berrien County. Happy hunting Dale.” Bailey Gruss of Bailey G. Photography & Unsalted Studios

A: I am always happy hunting, even happier finding.

BIG NUMBER

60: Feet of the unrestricted surveillance over the terrain for a male ruffed grouse from its drumming stage, according to the Ruffed Grouse Society. Click here for more details.

LAST WORD

“Lots of people fishing. Slez’s Bait has been here 33 years. Have seen lots of different times. This is something different. Busy from open until close. People everywhere fishing. It’s wild, I’ll tell ya.”

Rich Sleziak, texting from Slez’s Bait in Lake Station, Ind.

Next Up In Outdoors

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

Rare wild turkey sightings along lakefront come to a tragic end