Chicago outdoors: Bucks, rut, dogs, suburban coyote, sandhill cranes

Dog and big buck encounter in Green Oaks. | Provided by Lynn & Tim Snell

Notes come from all around Chicago outdoors.

DALE’S MAILBAG

“Hi again from our yard in Green Oaks! . . . Our dog started to go after him, but fortunately listened when I told her no. That buck was NOT leaving! Hung around for about 20 minutes. I hate to think what he could have done to her with that rack!!” Lynn & Tim Snell

A: Canines and bucks have a natural aversion (hatred?) of each other. That particularly comes to the fore during the rut.

WILD OF THE WEEK

Coyote on the fence in Glen Ellyn.

Rob Huber of Glen Ellyn found this “suburban coyote moonlighting as a zoning inspector.”

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

ILLUMINATION

Through Jan. 3: Drive-through light show outdoors, Morton Arboretum, Lisle, mortonarb.org/illumination-event/2020-11-20

ILLINOIS SEASONS

Thursday, Nov. 26: Waterfowl seasons open, south zone

BIG NUMBER

16,375: Sandhill crane count Tuesday (high of the fall) at Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area southeast of Valparaiso, Ind. Click here for the latest on the crane count.

LAST WORD

“Lots of bucks out looking for does. The second one is taking a break from chasing after females and enjoying a pumpkin!”

Paul Yambrovich, with observations along trails by the Des Plaines River (and I am thinking the wild equivalent of a cigarette)

Buck with pumpkin near Des Plaines River.