Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
WILD OF THE WEEK
Ron Wozny messaged this about an American kestrel showing up on the North Side. “We have a new guy feasting on our bounty,” Wozny messaged. “He/she has taken three sparrows in the last five days that I have seen. This is the first time he stayed to dine for a few minutes.”
If you want to see live (dead?) action, here is the YouTube video.
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 Sunday. To make submissions, email BowmanOutside@gmail.com or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside), Instagram (@BowmanOutside). or Bluesky (@Bowmanoutside).
WILD TIMES
SHOWTIME
Friday, Jan. 3, to next Sunday, Jan. 5: Let’s Go Fishing Show, Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville, gatewaycenter.com/fishing-show/home
The master list of outdoors shows, classes, swap meets and major ice fishing events are https://chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/2024/11/28/outdoors-shows-master-list-for-2025-around-chicago-and-beyond
ILLINOIS SEASONS
Today, Dec. 29: Final day, late-winter antlerless-only/CWD deer season
Tuesday, Dec. 31: Final day, snagging season for Chinook and coho salmon on the Illinois lakefront
HUNTER SAFETY
Feb. 8-9: Wilmington, https://islandparkdistrict.activityreg.com/selectactivity_t2.wcs