Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
WILD OF THE WEEK
Ron Wozny emailed last Friday about swallowtail caterpillars living in his parsley for three days already.
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 [email protected] or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside) or Instagram (@BowmanOutside).
WILD TIMES
HUNTER SAFETY
Friday, Sept. 10-next Saturday, Sept11: Morris, [email protected] or (815) 343-7330
Sept. 11-12: Diamond, [email protected]
Sept. 18-19: Kankakee, (815) 935-2700
Sept. 25-26: Joliet, (815) 727-4811
Sept. 30 and Oct. 2: Chicago Heights, [email protected]
Oct. 2-3: Elburn, [email protected] . . . Momence, (815) 472-4900
FUNDRAISER
Sept. 12: Save the Dunes celebration of monarch butterflies in the region, music and food at Michigan City’s Brewery Lodge & Supper Club; a portion of the proceeds benefits Save the Dunes’ work to protect and advocate for the Indiana dunes. Tickets start at $40, click here for info and tickets.
U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
Sept. 12: Boat America, Chicago, Bob Allen, [email protected]
FISH GATHERINGS
Wednesday, Sept. 8: Steve Jonesi,”Tactics & Techniques for early season opportunities,” Fox River Valley chapter of Muskies Inc., Schaumburg Golf Club, 7 p.m., frvmuskie.com
Wednesday, Sept. 8: Ben Garvens, “Artificial Bait Strategies for Geneva’s Deep Structure,” Lake Geneva Fishing Club, Poplar Creek Bowl, Hoffman Estates, 6 p.m., lakegenevafishingclub.com
ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS
Next Saturday, Sept. 11: Hunting for teal, rail (Sora and Virginia only) and snipe (Wilson’s) opens
DALE’S MAILBAG
“I noticed that the loach wasn’t identified by the folks profiled in the article [Aug. 25 Sun-Times]. I wanted to let you know that that loach is an Oriental weatherfish (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus). I did master’s research at Loyola on this species. They’re not commonly caught and most people don’t know they’re in the river or even exist. So it’s pretty cool that the angler was able to catch it.” John Belcik
A: I appreciate that, having the best readers.
BIG NUMBER
50: Age that Woodsy Owl’s famous line, “Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute,” turns on Wednesday, Sept. 15.
LAST WORD
“Pockets of good production exist, although 2021 wild rice production is generally poor across much of northern Wisconsin. Harvesters can find opportunities by scouting online and on-the-ground.”
Jason Fleener, Wisconsin DNR Wetland Habitat Specialist, noting modern scouting techniques for a timeless pursuit
