Some access options for ice fishing around the Fox Chain O’Lakes area Here’s the annual update on options for accessing ice fishing on the Fox Chain O’Lakes area. Chicago Sun-Times · Jan 15, 2024
An Indiana record burbot gives a chance to dive into a most unusual freshwater fish Anthony Burke’s Indiana record burbot gives a chance to dive into the broader meaning and general unusualness of one of the oddest freshwater fish. Chicago Sun-Times · Jan 12, 2024
Chicago outdoors: It’s a long way to Grand Teton National Park An elk in snow at Grand Teton National Park and watching the advance off a beaver’s work along the Kankakee River are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors and beyond (even way beyond). Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 23, 2023
Granted, nothing middling about this move at Midewin Openlands and The Wetlands Initiative received a $1.5 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through the America the Beautiful Challenge to restore and expand 1,321 acres of grassland habitat across Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 22, 2023
Sharing an owl prowl on a damp night Owl prowls are a good way to share a night hike and experience one of our more nocturnal birds. Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 20, 2023
Chicago outdoors: Sandhill dance, 12-point buck, Dave Genz, silver carp A sandhill crane dancing with a cornstalk, a 12-point buck in the Foroest Preserves of Cook County, ice-fishing guru Dave Genz on bluegills and the record pounds of silver carp taken from the Illinois River are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors and beyond. Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 17, 2023
Peninsula of potential? The Brandon Road Interbasin Project Once the Brandon Road Interbasin Project starts will it turn the peninsula below the Brandon Road Lock and Dam into the ultimate stopping point for invasive species, especially invasive carp? Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 8, 2023
Chicago outdoors: Hegewisch buck, a dog story and near-record crane count A buck in Hegewisch, symbolic of too many deer in that area, a Downstate dog story and a near-record count of cranes at Jasper-Pulaski FWA in Indana are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors and beyond. Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 2, 2023
Chicago fishing: Ice in the Northwoods and perch on the lakefront Ice fishing finally getting underway in the Northwoods (maybe closer to home) and the continuation of perch fishing on southern Lake Michigan lead this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report. Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 28, 2023
A return to something near normal for show season around Chicago outdoors Show season around Chicago outdoors looks to be returning to something like normal. Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 23, 2023
Outdoors shows: Master list for 2024 season around Chicago Here is the master list of outdoors shows, classes and swap meets for the 2024 season around the Chicago area, well, there’s a couple in this December, too. Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 22, 2023
Chicago outoors: Great egret detail, IL lake sturgeon, Bassmaster’s 1st “Million Dollar Man” Paul Vriend photographing a great egret in flight, Illinois’ effort to reestablish lake sturgeon and Bassmaster’s 1st “Million Dollar Man,” Larrry Nixon retiring from competitive fishing are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors and beyond. Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 18, 2023
Opening day morning: Illinois’ firearm deer season One of the mildest opening days made for an interesting beginning to Illinois firearm deer season. Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 18, 2023
Go & Show: Urban Stream Research Center, Birds in My Neighborhood and Illumination A rare chance to tour the Urban Stream Research Center In Warrenville, the 10th annversary of Openlands’ Birds in My Neighborhood and Illumination opening at Morton Arboretum are in the Go & Show this week. Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 16, 2023
Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 11, 2023 Chicago outdoors: A tilapia in CAWS and a rutting buck chasing does in the suburbs Another tilapia from the Chicago Area Waerway System (CAWS) and a rutting buck chasing does in the suburbs are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 10, 2023 Early trip to see sandhill cranes at Jasper-Pulaski raises questions An early trip to see sandhill cranes at Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in Indiana raised questions, especially related to what is becoming the nation’s largest solar farm.
Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 10, 2023 Side trip on way to viewing sandhill cranes: The whimsy of Gabis Arboretum Gabis Arboretum in Valparaiso makes a good side on the way to viewing sandhill cranes at Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in Indiana.
Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 3, 2023 Why is hunting upland birds and small game in Illinois crashing? It’s more than the loss of habitat that has led to drastic reduction in hunting of upland birds and small game in Illinois.
Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 28, 2023 Chicago outdoors: Bears-watching sandhill, Waukegan’s Governmen Pier & contacts A Bears-watchng sandhill crane, a sharp comment on Waukegan’s Goverment Pier and contacts for reporting overflowing fishing-line receptacles are among the notes from around Chicgo outdoors and beyond.
Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 27, 2023 Experiencing notable waterfalls around Illinois and Indiana Placing timing Indiana’s tallest free-flowking waterfall (Willamsport Falls) right with experiences of significant waterfalls in Illinois.
Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 13, 2023 Bird bands and a tennis-coaching red-tailed hawk Brian Black photographed a red-tailed hawk near the Chicago lakefront that seemed to be critiquing Black’s tennis game. The mystery of a leg band on the raptor led into the maze of bird bands.
Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 11, 2023 A dace in the hole saves the day Dale Bowman took his 95-year-old father to catch one last fish, which Leroy Bowman did.
Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 7, 2023 Chicago outdoors: Far-from-home limpkins and enjoying backyard nature Alan Anderson photographing limpkins far from home and Dominic Wroblewski sending artful photographs of observations in his backyard are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 30, 2023 Chicago outdoors: Kestrel utilizing cemetery refuse and an ode to a mantis A wonderful photo of an American kestrel on a cemetery refuse pile and an ode to a mantis are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 29, 2023 Mast ahead in production in a surprisely good year for nuts Mast production looks good across most of Illinois as we head into the opening of archery deer season on Sunday, Oct. 1; plus some notes leading into the archery opener.