Chicago firefighters who strung up fishing rods for children, the late Fred Bear on ‘respect’, a goldfinch at Little Red Schoolhouse NC and a commentary on hours by captured Chinook are among Chicago’s notes to the outside and beyond.
The notes come from outside Chicago and beyond.
WILD OF THE WEEK
Marc Kasick photographed an American goldfinch on Sunday at the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center. He used a Nikon D7200, 300mm f4, with a 1.7 teleconverter (about a 500mm lens).
WOTW, the celebration of wild stories and photos around Chicago outdoors, takes place most weeks in the special two-page outdoor section of Sun-Times Sports Saturday. To make quotes, send an email [email protected] or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside) or Instagram (@BowmanOutside).
WILD TIMES
HUNTER SAFETY
October 2-3: Elburn, [email protected] . . Momence, (815) 472-4900
Oct. 30-31: Elgin, [email protected]
LUNCH CONFERENCE
Monday, September 27: Iyana Simbathe Director of Clean Water Policy at the Environmental Council of Illinois, Bridgehouse Museum on the Chicago Riverwalk, free, 12-12:45 p.m., bridgehousemuseum.org/events
THE STORY
Monday, September 27: “What Ever Happened to Beaver Lake,” Michael Dobberstein, Purdue English Professor, Newton County Government Center, Morocco, Ind., 7 p.m.
WING SHOOTING CLINICS
October 9-10: Elburn, click here to register, info at [email protected] or (847)309-1093
ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS
Today, September 26: The teal season is ending.
Friday, October 1: Opening of the archery seasons for deer and turkey.
Friday, October 1: Hooking season for chinook and coho is opening in some locations.
Friday, October 1: Over-the-counter permits (first come, first served), public areas for ducks and geese
Next Saturday, October 2: Trout catch and release season begins at a few select sites, closest is Rock Creek at Kankakee River State Park
DALE COURIER BAG
“Ten years ago we would go to Burnham Harbor and catch three to four [Chinook] per person in one evening. Dale Rehus Tweeter
A: Rehus is a famous fisherman, but I think he remembers 20 or 30 years ago. I would love for the Illinois Natural History Survey to have data going back decades for September catches per hour of effort for returning chinook.
LARGE NUMBER
5: Firefighters on Motor 109/Truck 32—Chris Nechvatal, Jimmy Johnson, Santiago Alvarez, Ali Abdolazadeh, John Reany— who helped string 150 fishing rods in no time two days before Chicago Family Outdoor Day last Saturday.
LAST WORD
“Go with a good attitude, respecting the wildlife you hunt and the forests and fields you walk through. Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience. It will purify your soul and make you a better person.
Fred Bearthe late legendary bowhunter, with quote at fredbear-online.com