Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
WILD OF THE WEEK
Paul Vriend photographed this merlin taking off and noted, “I am seeing an increased variety of raptors in the city.”
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
“I read the article about the fish that were caught [Fish of the Week on Wednesday]. Could you eat them fish? Is it safe?” Cindy Silva
A: This is one of the most frequent questions I receive. In general, eating fish from Lake Michigan is safe within boundaries. I’ve fed them to my family for decades. The Illinois Department of Public Health issues annual advisories on fish consumption.
BIG NUMBER
79: Number of nest boxes with barn-owl nests found by the Indiana DNR barn-owl nest in its survey, nearly double (43) in the last survey in 2017. The Indiana DNR credited, “This sudden rise in the number of nests is partially due to the efforts of DNR and private landowners providing nest boxes in large open grasslands of 100 acres or more.”
LAST WORD
“This is my Stanley Cup.”
Jeff Gustafson, on being the first Canadian to win the Bassmaster Classic championship last Sunday in Knoxville, Tenn.
WILD TIMES
LAKE MICHIGAN FISHERIES
Wednesday, April 5: Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant’s spring workshop, Wilmette Harbor Club, 6-8:30 p.m., (virtual viewing will be April 13 6-8 p.m.), click here to register for either
SHOWTIME
Click here for the complete list of show, outdoors classes and swap meets.
Through today, April 2: Illinois Deer Classic, Peoria Civic Center
Thursday, April 6: Midwest Musky Club Mega Raffle, Village Sportsman’s Club, Alsip
ILLINOIS SEASONS
Through today, April 2: Second youth spring turkey hunt
Monday, April 3: First of five spring turkey seasons, south zone, opens
Through April 30: First lottery, Illinois residents only, fiream or muzzleloader deer permits
FUNDRAISER
April 29: Help send autistic angler Robbie “Goose” Henderson, currently ranked sixth in the nation, to the National Bass Trail National Championships, Lake Hartwell, South Carolina, Musky Tales, Antioch, 5-9 p.m., contact Jeff Henderson (847) 409-1410 or goosefishing@yahoo.com
SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL
April 22: Illinois & Chicago chapter’s 50th annual fundraiser and banquet, Medinah Banquets, Addison, sci-illinois.com/events/#
HUNTER SAFETY
April 22-23: Momence, (815) 472-4900
April 28-29: Morris, philliparnold3@gmail.com or (815) 343-7330
May 6-7: Ingleside, S.FREY2008@YAHOO.COM
U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
Monday, April 3: Northfield, Dan O’Connell, cgaux.doc@gmail.com
