Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
WILD OF THE WEEK
I spotted this ring-billed gull last Saturday seemingly keeping an askance eye on the green Chicago River downtown. Amar Ayyash, the gull enthusiast who does the blog “Anything Larus,” confirmed my ID.
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. To make submissions, email BowmanOutside@gmail.com or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside) or Instagram (@BowmanOutside).
DALE’S MAILBAG
“I’ve been looking for the rules for Braidwood, regarding live bait. I was also wondering if there’s any restrictions on using caught bluegill, live or cut bait.” Brian Olano
A: Braidwood follows statewide rules on live bait. In the FAQ section (ifishillinois.org/FAQS/#) of ifishillinois.org (a section that answers many regular questions), the key answer is: “There is nothing in the Illinois Fish Code that prohibits the use of legally taken bluegill or sunfish as bait for another species of fish.” You must follow all regulations for that species, such as bag and size limits.
BIG NUMBER
1st: Time that the Bassmaster Classic will be carbon-neutral, March 24-26 in Knoxville, Tenn.
LAST WORD
“I’m gonna go catch me a fish.”
— Jimmy Johnson, revealing the source of his acumen as a football mind, Tuesday morning on the “Mully & Haugh Show” on The Score.
WILD TIMES
FISH GATHERING
Tuesday, March 21: Johnny Wilkins, Chicago Fishing School, “Keeping it Simple - How to Catch More Fish, Arlington Anglers, Poplar Creek Banquets, Hoffman Estates, 6:30 p.m., arlingtonanglers.com
ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS
March 25-26: First youth spring turkey hunt
Through April 30: First lottery, Illinois residents only, fiream or muzzleloader deer permits
HUNTER SAFETY
April 22-23: Momence, (815) 472-4900
April 28-29: Morris, philliparnold3@gmail.com or (815) 343-7330
May 6-7: Ingleside, S.FREY2008@YAHOO.COM
SHOWTIME
Click here for the complete list of show, outdoors classes and swap meets.
Through Sunday, March 19 (public portion): Illinois Taxidermist Association convention, Northfield Inn & Suites, Springfield
Friday, March 24, to March 26: Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo, Knoxville Convention Center, Knoxville, Tenn.
Next Saturday, March 25: Walleyes Unlimited swap meet, Antioch VFW Post 4551
LAKE MICHIGAN FISHERIES
April 5: Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant’s spring workshop, Wilmette Harbor Club, 6-8:30 p.m., (virtual viewing will be April 13 6-8 p.m.), register for either at by clicking here
FUNDRAISER
Saturday, April 29: Help send autistic angler Robbie “Goose” Henderson, currently ranked sixth in the nation, to the National Bass Trail National Championships, Lake Hartwell, South Carolina, Musky Tales, Antioch, 5-9 p.m., contact Jeff Henderson at 847-409-1410 or goosefishing@yahoo.com
SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL
April 22: Illinois & Chicago chapter’s 50th annual fundraiser and banquet, Medinah Banquets, Addison
