Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
Dave Derk photographed Sondra Katzen in July while fishing at Saganashkee Slough in a classic scene. Jeff Getz of the northwest suburbs “threw in” his artful photo of a bullfrog. Both photos caught me as much as photos as much as for their subjects.
POTW, a random celebration of photos from around Chicago outdoors, runs 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).
LAST WORD
“A buddy of mine was touring with a couple of punk bands. When they got to Chicago the number one thing they wanted to do was see the plovers. A task they accomplished. My buddy said it was `oddly spiritual.’ ”
Bill McCormick, Renaissance man, creator of many things, including the former incarnation of the much-missed JayTheJoke.com
WILD TIMES
FISH GATHERING
Thursday, Aug. 8: Tony Boshold, “Preparing for Fall lake fishing in NE Illinois and SE Wisconsin and Chicago shoreline opportunities,” Riverside Fishing Club, Berwyn Moose Lodge 424, 6:45 p.m., RiversideFishingClub.com
NIGHT FISHING
Saturday, Aug. 10: Monee Reservoir, free, 7 p.m.-midnight, https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/news-events/event-calendar/midnight-madness-august-2024/
CONSERVATION WORLD
Thursday, Aug. 8-18: Northwest corner Illinois State Fairgrounds during Illinois State Fair, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Springfield, statefair.illinois.gov/ridesattractions/conservationworld.html
ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS
Through Aug. 16: Third lottery, deer firearm & muzzleloader
Through Aug. 31:Applications open for free upland game permits
HUNTER SAFETY
Thursday, Aug. 8, & Saturday, Aug. 10: Mundelein, arodkey@countrysidefire.com
Aug. 24-25: Morris, (815) 941-1366
Sept. 7:Chicago, https://forms.gle/yUxRfKkHaC5MEh5f9
Full state listing is at dnr2.illinois.gov/SafetyEd/SafetyEdClassByCounty
WINGSHOOTING
Aug. 17 or 18: Introductory days, Shabbona Lake SRA, rakcarlson@comcast.net or (815) 757-2949
Aug. 24 or 25: Hunter clinics, Aurora Sportsmen’s Club, Waterman, hunterwsclinic@gmail.com
Sept. 21 or 22: Hunter clinics, Des Plaines SFWA, Wilmington, (815)423-5326 Nov. 9: Youth clinic & youth pheasant hunt, Iroquois SWA, Beaverville, (815) 933-1383
BIRDING FESTIVAL
Sept. 13-15: First citywide festival, guided trips, registration opened Saturday, https://www.theurbanbirdingfestival.org/
BEER IN THE WOODS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9icWUDQPUz4
Sept. 21: LaBagh Woods, 1-5 p.m., fotfp.org/event-item/8th-annual-beer-in-the-woods/