Chicago outdoors: Feral peafowl, childhood fishing, milkweed bugs, trout fishing and social distancing

Feral peafowl on the outskirts of Chicago. | Provided by Paul Vriend

Notes come from all around Chicago outdoors.

WILD OF THE WEEK

On Tuesday, Paul Vriend emailed, “I noticed a couple of feral peafowl along the side of Route 12 coming into Chicago this morning. When exotics go wild!” That’s a new one for me.

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. Submit nominations by message on Facebook (Dale Bowman), on Twitter (@BowmanOutside) and Instagram (@BowmanOutside) or email (BowmanOutside@gmail.com).

WILD TIMES

HUNTER SAFETY

Sept. 24-25: Chicago, carryinillinois.com/hunter-safety-course.html

Oct. 1 and 3: Marengo, akjellgren@cityofmarengo.com

Oct. 17-18: Tinley Park, (708) 342-4200

Oct. 24-25: Joliet, (815) 935-2700

ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS

Today, Sept. 20: Teal season ends

Monday, Sept. 21: Fall gun turkey hunting permits begin over-the-counter

DALE’S MAILBAG

Milkweed bugs.

“I planted these milkweeds four or five years ago. They got huge and spread and attracted monarchs! This year and last, however, I’ve been seeing these beetles. Have you seen them before?” John Pavlik

A: The University of Illinois Extension newsletter a year ago had this on milkweed bugs. “Milkweed bugs (Oncopeltus sp.) are very common and active this time of year. Both adults and nymphs are orange to red and black. . . . They will not harm monarchs and, because they feed on a different part of the plant, do not directly compete with them. They should not cause significant problems for the grower unless they intend to harvest milkweed seeds.”

BIG NUMBER

1: Ranking of fishing in the “Top Outdoor Activities That Bring Americans Back To Childhood” list, part of a study of the pandemic and an increased appreciation of nature, according to SWNS.

LAST WORD

“Due to concerns about appropriate social distancing related to parking, fishing and general preserve use, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has decided to cancel the fall trout opener at our three forest preserve trout lakes.”

Tony Martinez, Forest Preserve District community relations director, on Tuesday