Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
BUCK OF THE WEEK: UNPLUGGED
Bill Peak was checking a small group of deer when he “came upon these two guys already locking horns. Seems a little early, but it was the first time I’ve caught them in the act.” It does seem early, really early. My guess would be young bucks messing around.
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
“Saw a monarch butterfly finally! [Last Sunday.] She flew around for about 30 minutes!!” Grandkids loved it!!” Mary Bruni, Matteson
A: I finally saw my second monarch of the year this week. This week is usually the time to see many monarchs during their migration through the area.
WILD TIMES
BEER IN THE WOODS
Next Saturday, Sept. 21: LaBagh Woods, 1-5 p.m., fotfp.org/event-item/8th-annual-beer-in-the-woods/
FISH GATHERINGS
Tuesday, Sept. 17: Ben Garvens, “Jerkbaiting Tips and Tactics for Fall,” Arlington Anglers, Poplar Creek Banquets, Hoffman Estates, 6:30 p.m., http://arlingtonanglers.com/
Wednesday, Sept. 18: Dale Bowman, “Odds of a 40-pounder in Illinois,” South Side Muskie Hawks, Village Sportsmen’s Club, Alsip, 7 p.m., southsidemuskiehawks.org
Wednesday, Sept. 18: Mark O’Neill on new marine electronics and how he uses them on Geneva Lake and other waters, Fox River Valley chapter of Muskies, Inc., Schaumburg Golf Club, 7 p.m., Facebook
Thursday, Sept. 19: Ken Carwell, “Chicago No Limits Fishing,” on fishing with those with handicaps, Fish Tales Fishing Club, Worth Township Offices, 7 p.m., fishtalesfishingclub.com
RIVER ADVOCACY
Next Saturday, Sept. 21: Priairie Rivers’ “It’s Our River Day,” (#FLOATFORALL), focus on access to recreate on rivers in Illinois,
ILLINOIS SEASONS
Sunday, Sept. 15: Early Canada goose season ends
Next Sunday, Sept. 22: Teal season ends
HUNTER SAFETY
Sept. 26 & 28:Newark, davidpaulinski@gmail.com
Oct. 5-6: Wilmington, islandparkdistrict.activityreg.com/selectactivity_t2.wcs
Full state listing is at dnr2.illinois.gov/SafetyEd/SafetyEdClassByCounty
WINGSHOOTING
Next Weekend, 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
U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
Next Saturday, Sept. 21: Boat America, Oak Forest, Bob Hennessy, bobhennessy07@gmail.com
Next Saturday, Sept. 21: Boat America, Waukegan, Dave Colen, education@waukeganaux.com