Northern harrier, another city buck: Notes, Chicago outdoors

Notes from around Chicago outdoors.

FIELD NOTES

WILD OF THE WEEK

Elizabeth Pector sent along another cool photo, this of a northern harrier in flight on Dec. 10 at Springbrook Prairie in Naperville.

Wild of the Week, a celebration of wild scenes around Chicago outdoors, runs on Sundays on the Sun-Times outdoors page as warranted. Send nominations by Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside) or email (straycasts@sbcglobal.net).

WILD TIMES

HUNTER SAFETY

(Click here for full package of northeast Illinois hunter safety classes)

Jan. 20-21: Marengo, akjellgren@cityofmarengo.com or 815-568-7231

Jan. 28-29: Chicago, carryinillinois.com/hunter-safety-course.html

FISH GATHERING

Wednesday, Dec. 28: Jeremy Smith of Lindner Media Productions, Walleyes Unlimited, Gurnee American Legion, 7 p.m., walleyesunlimitedusa.org

ILLINOIS SEASONS/PERMITS

Thursday-next Sunday: Dec. 29-Jan. 1: CWD and late-winter antlerless deer seasons, select counties

YOUTH

Friday, Dec. 30: Registration deadline, drawing for the Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt, Jan. 15-16, (217) 785-8060

DUCKS UNLIMITED

(Click here for the general list of Illinois DU events)

PHEASANTS FOREVER

(Click here for general list of Illinois PF events)

NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION

(Click here for general list of banquets and events)

DALE’S MAILBAG

Q: “A few weeks ago I was at the West Ridge Nature Preserve on Western Avenue with my sister, and three of my grandkids.

Fortunately I had a camera along and took the attached photo of a fine looking specimen. What I can’t figure out is from whence he came and how he got in.’’ Robert E. Zeitner

A: My guess would be the buck either came from a nearby cemetery or from the area by North Park Village Nature Center to the west. Bucks move around, especially during the rut. But it is a curious one.

BIG NUMBER

5.5: Percentage of ice cover on the Great Lakes by Wednesday, according to the Great Lakes Surface Environmental Analysis

LAST WORD

“What a difference a week makes. Three weeks ago we had T-shirts on. Quickest I have ever seen us make ice.’’

Steve Palmisano, Henry’s Sports and Bait, on the dramatic arrival of ice fishing