Chicago outdoors: Giant swallowtail, families and charters, new boat sales, and yellow jackets

Notes come from all around Chicago outdoors.

FIELD NOTES

WILD OF THE WEEK

Emil Baumbach delivers his usual wonderful photo at the top, this time of a giant swallowtail butterfly at a Cook County forest preserve. “The largest butterfly in North America loves the nectar bearing plants, including this bee balm,” he emailed. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum’s Doug Taron emailed, “I’m hearing more reports than usual for this species this year. I’ve even seen one near my house, which is unusual.”

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

Aug. 13 and 15: Newark, (815) 210-4995

Aug. 27 and 29: Mundelein, (847) 918-6145

Sept. 19-20: Kankakee, (815) 935-2700

ARCHERY

Next Saturday, Aug. 15, to Aug. 16: Blackhawk Field Archers’ 28th annul Traditional-Only Shoot, Rockton. For booths or information, contact David Lee, bowhunterlee59@yahoo.com or (708) 476-0305

ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS

Through Aug. 25: First-come, first-served free dove permit applications, go to https://dnr2.illinois.gov/OnLineHuntingApplication/Dove/DoveAppFCFS.aspx

Through Aug. 31: Free upland game permits, application period, go to https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/hunting/uplandgame/Pages/OnlinePermitApplication.aspx

DALE’S MAILBAG

“I saw my first yellow jacket of the season today while working outside around the house. Though not a murder hornet, they can still be a problem. Now I have to cover my beer when I sit on the patio relaxing after a long day.” Jim Hantak, Hillside

A: I have not seen a yellow jacket yet (or a murder hornet for that matter). I would suggest a beer with less sugar, but those are mostly light beers, to which a yellow jacket might actually add some flavor.

BIG NUMBER

59: Percent jump in new boat sales from April to May, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

LAST WORD

“Most of the charters are taking a lot of families. It is a good thing for families. It is something they can do to break up the monotony.”

Capt. Bob Poteshman, of Confusion Charters, on the difference since the return of charter fishing in Illinois during the pandemic