Notes come from around Chicago outtdoors and beyond.
WILD OF THE WEEK
“Dave [Derk] was taking me for breakfast today for my birthday and we saw mom fox and two of her kits (they are getting big),” Sondra Katzen emailed. “Lighting wasn’t the greatest, but Dave was able to get a few nice shots [in Downers Grove].” And my day was made with my favorite mammal.
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 have a 28-year-old grandson, interested in upland game and waterfowl hunting, which I do. He has his Illinois FOID card but, to get a Illinois hunting license he needs to have been certified in a Hunter Safety Course. I have tried to find one in a 60 to 75 mile radius of Chicago. . . . How can I find a viable and near-by available course?” Ted Rotzoll
A: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources lists the hunter safety courses at dnr2.illinois.gov/SafetyEd/SafetyEdClassByCounty by date, so you can find one somewhere. Otherwise, you can search by individual county. I also list course offerings from the nine-county area in the calendar on Saturdays. FYI, summer is a down time for classes.
BIG NUMBER
36: Years old one of the world’s oldest common loons turns this month. The loon, known as ABJ, was spotted again earlier this month after disappearing for a while (after a fight over an ex-longtime mate Fe) at Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Click here to for a fascinating read more about old loons, especially the parts about ABJ and Fe, from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
LAST WORD
“I didn’t see the strike but all of a sudden there was a big fish on the line. Loosening drag saved the day and I was able to secure the fish in the water & carry to shore for a quick snapshot before releasing it back into the current of the Fox River while the band took a stab at Michael Jackson’s `Thriller.’ “
Vince Oppedisano, on catching a muskie while fishing smallmouth bass on the Fox River in the western suburbs (click here to see the video)
WILD TIMES
FISH GATHERING
Wednesday, June 28: Steve Ryan “North American Destinations for Trophies,” Walleyes Unlimited, Gurnee American Legion, 7 p.m.
DOG DAYS
Sunday, June 25: Dog Admission Day, Morton Arboretum, $5 per dog, visit mortonarb.org.
FISHING DERBY
Friday, June 30-July 9: Annual multi-species Kankakee River Fishing Derby, $20 per family. Details at kankakeefishingderby.com.
ILLINOIS PERMITS
Friday, June 30: Final day, applications for free dove hunting permits
Through June 30: Final day, second lottery, firearm or muzzleloader deer permits
HALL OF FAME
July 14: Deadline to make nominations for the 2023 Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame. Click here for the nomination form. For info, info@ilconservation.org or (217) 785-2003.
