Chicago Outdoors
Introduction to Chicago Outdoors
Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
Fish of the Week
Joe Szafoni messaged the photo above, taken by his brother-in-law, of a largemouth bass engulfing a northern pike, noting, “Bass must be hungry. Found this in a lake near the [Chain O’Lakes] in Lake County.” His brother-in-law freed the pike and released it, not sure if it survived.
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).
Wild of the Week
Paul Botts was walking the family dog in late June around the southern end of Grant park near Lake Shore Drive and the Museum Campus. “A large red-tailed hawk popped out of an ornamental tree right in front of us,” emailed Botts, president and executive director of The Wetlands Initiative. “He settled back down and let me get within 12 or 15 feet — suggesting that he’s quite accustomed to people — to take the attached pics. A city boy!”
The surprise of a red-tailed hawk in Grant Park.
He added, “It was a first in lots of years of walking in Grant Park; I did once see an osprey hunting out over the lake and have seen a couple of passing smaller raptors (American kestrels I think). But this was a big boy…keeping an eye out for him on future walks. We’d be happy to have a resident raptor. No problem with food supply (healthy resident rabbit and squirrel populations throughout that part of the city) but, finding a mate would be a challenge.”
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).
Buck of the Week: Unplugged
We’re in the season for big bucks in velvet, such as this one John Henry photographed at LaBagh Woods.
A buck in velvet at LaBagh Woods.
BOTW Unplugged, the celebration of live big bucks around Chicago outdoors, runs as apt 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).
Dale’s Mailbag
“Since it cooled down I decided to sit on my back porch late this afternoon. After a few minutes I noticed an extremely tiny spider. . . . I watched in awe as this itty-bitty fellow spun a web between two rails on my back porch. I’m watching this thing go round and round, back and forth all the time wondering how the heck can his tiny body produce all of that webbing stuff. My conclusion was . . . God can be amazing! I think the spider is now waiting on his next meal!”
Darryl Shelton on June 19
A: I admire that Shelton was patient enough to allow the wonder of the natural world settle in.
Wild Times
Fish Gatherings
Tuesday, July 8: Capt. John O’Connor, owner of Ness Charters, Salmon Unlimited, Thornwood Restaurant & Lounge, Wood Dale, free, 7 p.m.
Thursday, July 10: Ken “Husker” O’Malley, Riverside Fishing Club, Berwyn Moose Lodge 424, 6:45 p.m.
Fishing Derby
Through Sunday, July 6:Kankakee River Fishing Derby
Illinois Permits
Monday, July 7: Final day, first lottery, fall shotgun turkey permits
Friday, July 11: Third lottery, third lottery deer firearm and muzzleloader lottery, begins,
Hunter Safety
July 17 & 19: Newark, davidpaulinski@gmail.com
Aug. 9-10: Morris, https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/230848
Aug 14 & 16: Bonfield, (847) 635-3198Aug. 23-24: Wilmington, https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/230303
The full state listing is at dnr2.illinois.gov/SafetyEd/SafetyEdClassByCounty
Conclusion
The Chicago outdoors offers a diverse range of experiences, from fishing and hunting to spotting wildlife in unexpected places. Whether you’re an experienced outdoorsperson or just starting to explore the natural world, there’s
