Notes from around Chicago outdoors.
WILD OF THE WEEK
Josh Harwood tweeted this week fox photos and wondered what it was eating in Deerfield just north of the Metra station.
WOTW, the celebration of photos and stories of around Chicago outdoors, runs as warranted on Saturdays on the Sun-Times outdoors page. Send nominations by Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside) or email BowmanOutside@gmail.net.
DALE’S MAILBAG
“Any luck with the morels in the suburbs yet?” Ken Kolozy tweet
A: Ever since the rains stopped last week, it’s been on and might be one of the best springs. See below.
BIG NUMBER
5: Inches of biggest morel I received a photo of so far from a reader. Thomas Maru found this one in private property in unincorporated Homer Township.
MOTW, the celebration of photos and stories of morel mushrooms around Chicago outdoors, runs as warranted on Saturdays on the Sun-Times outdoors page. Send nominations by Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside) or email BowmanOutside@gmail.net.
LAST WORD
“Another first: I’d never hunted turkeys in the spring in the snow (this was the day after the Sunday snowfall). It didn’t seem to bother the turkeys at all; they were gobbling like crazy before sunrise.”
Pete Lamar, describing his turkey hunt in early April in Ogle County
WILD TIMES
BIRDS ON MOTHER”S DAY
Today, May 12: “Mother’s Day with Birds of Prey,” Stillman Nature Center, South Barrington, 1-3 p.m. click here for more information
ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS
Turkey hunting: North zone, fifth season ends Thursday, May 16.
Through June 15: Perch fishing is closed on Lake Michigan waters
FISH GATHERINGS
Tuesday, May 14: Chris Otto on local muskies, Chicagoland Muskie Hunters chapter of Muskies Inc., North Branch Pizza & Burger Co., Glenview, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 14: Coast Guard Auxiliary, Salmon Unlimited, Elk Grove Village VFW,, 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 16: Tony Boshold on perch, Fish Tales Fishing Club, (new site) Worth Township Offices, Alsip, 7 p.m.
WINGSHOOTING CLINICS
Saturday-next Sunday, May 18-19: Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area, (815) 423-532. Click here for details and to apply.
MUSKIE TOURNAMENT
Saturday, May 18: Fox River Valley chapter of Muskies Inc.’s Challunge on the Chain, Steve Kroll, stevekrollcpa@sbcglobal.net
PADDLING
Next Sunday, May 19: 62nd annual Des Plaines River Canoe & Kayak Marathon
HUNTER SAFETY
(Click here for full package of northeast Illinois hunter safety classes)
June 13 and 15: Newark, (815) 210-4995
DUCKS UNLIMITED
(Click here for the general list of Illinois DU events)
May 22: Palos Park dinner, Palos Country Club, Orland Park, Jim Mayer, (708) 557-1300
U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
(Click here for full listings of classes in the area)
Saturday, May 18: About Boating Safety, Fox Lake, Winston Tumaneng, winstoncgaux@gmail.com
SHOWTIME
Friday-Saturday: May 17-18: Driftless Outdoors Show, Onalaska Omni Center, Onalaska, Wis.
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION
(Click here for general list of banquets and events)
PHEASANTS FOREVER
(Click here for general list of Illinois PF events)
