Introduction to Chicago Outdoors
Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
Morels of the Week
Jay Damm gave some insight last Sunday into hunting morel mushrooms this time of the year. “I began my hunt in the interior of the woods and started finding half-free morels (p*ckerheads), which means it’s early/mid-season and that told me to go to a sunnier, warmer spot. Sure enough, bingo.” He found morels along a limestone foundation. The stone warms faster than soil. Then he found some in direct sunlight.
MOTW Celebration
MOTW, the celebration of mushrooms 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).
A bowl of mid-season morel mushrooms collected by Jay Damm.
Wild Times
Fish Gatherings
- Tuesday, May 13: Round table, Bob Bronke, Chris Otto, Bob Domenz, Chicagoland Muskie Hunters chapter of Muskies, Inc., North Branch Pizza & Burger Co., Glenview, 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 13: Matthew Kornis, new head of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for Lake Michigan, on fish studies, Salmon Unlimited, Thornwood Restaurant & Lounge, Wood Dale, free, 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 14: Mark O’Neill, “Making the Most of Your Forward Facing/Live Sonar Set Up,” Lake Geneva Fishing Club, Poplar Creek Bowl, Hoffman Estates, 6 p.m.
- Thursday, May 15: Terry Paggi, USCG AUX Div 37, “America’s Waterway Watch – A Force,” Fish Tales Fishing Club, Worth Township offices, Alsip, 7 p.m.
Illinois Permits/Seasons
- Through Thursday, May 15: Fifth and final spring turkey season, north zone
- Monday, May 12: Second lottery, firearm and muzzleloader deer permits, begins
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
- Saturday, May 17: Boat America, Waukegan, Dave Colen, education@waukeganaux.com
- Saturday, May 17: Boat America, Fox Lake, Winston Tumaneng, jugodan52@aol.com
- Monday, May 19: Suddenly in Command, Chicago, Deborah Leja, d.leja.uscgaux@gmail.com
- Monday, May 19: Paddlers Guide to Safety, Mokena, Terry Paggi, paggi.uscgaux@gmail.com
Hunter Safety
- May 31-June 1: Morris, Call Earl at (815) 693-8344
- June 7-8: Wilmington, https://islandparkdistrict.activityreg.com/
The full state listing is at dnr2.illinois.gov/SafetyEd/SafetyEdClassByCounty
Conclusion
The morel season in Chicago outdoors is a highly anticipated event, with enthusiasts like Jay Damm sharing their insights and findings. The celebration of mushrooms, MOTW, is a significant part of the special two-page outdoors section in the Sun-Times Sports Sunday. Various fish gatherings, permits, and seasons are also highlighted, along with U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary events and hunter safety courses.
FAQs
Q: What is MOTW?
A: MOTW stands for Morels of the Week, a celebration of mushrooms around Chicago outdoors.
Q: How can I submit to MOTW?
A: Submissions can be made by emailing BowmanOutside@gmail.com or contacting Dale Bowman on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Bluesky.
Q: What is the fifth and final spring turkey season in Illinois?
A: The fifth and final spring turkey season in Illinois, for the north zone, ends on Thursday, May 15.
Q: Where can I find the full state listing for hunter safety courses in Illinois?
A: The full state listing for hunter safety courses in Illinois can be found at dnr2.illinois.gov/SafetyEd/SafetyEdClassByCounty.
