Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
WILD OF THE WEEK
Paul Vriend photographed eastern cottontail rabbits “cavorting” earlier this week at Rosehill Cemetery. I’m an avid, long-time observer of rabbits and that is best shot I’ve seen of that.
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. To make submissions, email BowmanOutside@gmail.com or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside) or Instagram (@BowmanOutside).
DALE’S MAILBAG
“You pulled ALL your bird feeders? Even the oriole oranges and grape jelly? Even the hummingbird sugar water?” Barbara Van Diggelen
A: All of them. It’s overly cautious, but we have Cooper’s hawks (they are at risk) regularly visiting our feeders, so I figure anything to keep birds disbursed for the next couple weeks is worth it.
BIG NUMBER
226: Years of the longest-lived koi in Japan; Hanako lived from 1751 to 1977, according to fishtankworld.com
LAST WORD
“The turkey’s eyes are such that he can see a bumblebee turn a somersault on the verge of the horizon.”
Archibald Rutledge, “America’s Greatest Game Bird: Archibald Rutledge’s Turkey Hunting Tales, p. 9, via azquotes.com
WILD TIMES
HUNTER SAFETY
June 2 and 4: Newark, davidpaulinski@gmail.com
WINGSHOOTING CLINICS
May 14 or 15: Introductory wingshooting clinic, Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area, (815)423-5326. Click here for registration.
SHOWTIME
Today, April 30: North American Vintage Decoy and Sporting Collectibles Show, Westin Chicago Lombard
Today, April 30: Riverside Fishing Club swap meet, LaGrange American Legion
Today, April 30: DRiFT’s Fly Fishing Auction, VFW Post 2801, Villa Park
Click here for the complete list of shows, classes and swap meets for the coming months.
ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS
Today, April 30: Deadline, first lottery, firearm and muzzleloader deer permit applications
Through Wednesday, May 4: Fourth spring turkey season, north zone
Thursday, May 5: Fifth spring turkey season, south, ends,
Thursday, May 5, to May 12 : Fifth spring turkey season, north
