Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
WILD OF THE WEEK
“As I was reading my Chicago Sun-Times this morning [last Sunday], it dawned on me, I should send you what was in our backyard Friday. . . . This bird has made its rounds,” Karen Janus emailed. The hen wild turkey was wandering Palos Heights. Considering how wild turkeys have spread even into Chicago, this could have been anywhere. It’s still a marvel.
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 Sunday. To make submissions, email BowmanOutside@gmail.com or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside), Instagram (@BowmanOutside). or Bluesky (@Bowmanoutside).
FISH OF THE WEEK
Adam Babiuk caught his personal-best flathead catfish, 42.8 pounds, on a cut bluegill. He was fishing with Moonpie Outdoors on the Fox River/Chain O’Lakes. “Cut bait is king right now — even the big flatheads are smashing it harder than live bait!” Moonpie Outdoors messaged.
FOTW, the celebration of wild stories and photos around Chicago outdoors, now runs most weeks in the two-page outdoors section in the Sun-Times Sports Sunday. To make submissions, email BowmanOutside@gmail.com or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside), Instagram (@BowmanOutside). or Bluesky (@Bowmanoutside).
LAST WORD
“Earth seems to hold no sway
as they drift and weave.
Each carries a secret so hidden
yet so complete,
and with such potential to change the world.”
Excerpt from Eric Zillmer’s “Cottonwood Fluff.” It’s that time of year.
WILD TIMES
FAMILY OUTDOORS
Saturday, June 14: “Everybody Belongs in Nature Festival,” free, William Powers State Recreation Area, Chicago, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., eventbrite.com/e/everyone-belongs-nature-festival-tickets-1292831306239
FISH GATHERINGS
Tuesday, June 10: Capt. Dion Perry, Salmon Unlimited, Winthrop Harbor VFW, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 11: Sam Veith, “How to Win Back-to-Back Backyard Battles,” Lake Geneva Fishing Club, Poplar Creek Bowl, Hoffman Estates, 6 p.m., lakegenevafishingclub.com
Thursday, June 12: Capt. Ryan Whitacre on fishing the Cal Sag Channel, Calumet River, Chicago lakefront, and Chicago River, Riverside Fishing Club, Berwyn Moose Lodge 424, 6:45 p.m.
NIGHT FISHING
Next Saturday, June 14: “Midnight Madness,” Monee Reservoir, free, all ages 7-11:59 p.m.
FREE FISHING
Friday, June 13, to June 16: Illinois free fishing days, no licenses or stamps required, other regulations apply.
HUNTER SAFETY
July 17 & 19: Newark, davidpaulinski@gmail.com
The full state listing is at dnr2.illinois.gov/SafetyEd/SafetyEdClassByCounty
