Notes come from all over Chicago outdoors and beyond.
WILD OF THE WEEK
Jeff Wade he photographed “this mocking male bluebird” on the north side as he “kept a keen eye on his nest cavity and urged his last straggler to fledge”.
WOTW, Chicago’s celebration of wild stories and outdoor photos, runs most weeks in the special two-page outdoor section in Sun-Times Sports Saturday. To make presentations, send an email [email protected] or contact me on Facebook (dale archer), Twitter (@BowmanOutside) or Instagram (@BowmanOutside).
DALE MAIL BAG
“I didn’t realize that East Peoria was a wise choice when the [Izaak Walton League of America] was founded in Chicago and the recent meeting was not in Chicago.” Mr. Jan Thomas PasekRogers Park, long time Peoria resident
A: Your point is well taken; I extended the definition of coming home. The IWLA chose East Peoria over Chicago due to lower costs.
BIG NUMBER
23 10/16: World Record Black Bear Score, via the Boone and Crockett Club. Black bears are scored by adding the greatest width and length of the skull. It was found on July 1, 1975 in Utah by merrill daniels Y Alma Lund. The skull was confirmed as a black bear by the Smithsonian Institution.
LAST WORD
“A young angler fighting his fourth smallmouth bass in as many sets [said], ‘I can’t do it, I’m only 92 pounds!’ Oh yeah, I won’t let him forget that line!”
kurt justiceof the Kurt’s Island sporting goods store in Minocqua, Wisconsin,
WILD TIMES
HUNTER SAFETY
August 13 and 14: Kankakee, (815) 935-2700
August 20-21: Moment, (815) 472-4900
WINGS SHOOTING CLINICS
August 13 and 14: Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, Rich Carlson, (815) 757-2949
August 20-21: Sports Club of Aurora, Waterman, [email protected]
BLIND DRAW
Today July 30 and Sunday July 31: Annual drawings for public waterfowl blinds. www2.illinois.gov/dnr/news/Pages/IDNR-announces-2022-schedule-of-waterfowl-blind-site-drawings.aspx
ILLINIOS SEASONS/PERMITS
Monday, August 1-Aug. 31: Applications, free deep-sea hunting permits
Monday, August 1: Squirrel hunt opens