Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
FISH OF THE WEEK
Capt. Steve McClone of Moonpie Outdoors (https://www.moonpieoutdoors.com/guide-fishing-trips) messaged that client John Opyt caught his personal-best 46-pound flathead catfish (“very healthy) night fishing early last week. “Cutbait still has been the best for these big fish on the Fox River,” McClone messaged.
FOTW, the celebration of wild stories and photos around Chicago outdoors, now runs most weeks in the 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).
SHOWTIME
The second Pawpaw Festival is 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. next Saturday, Sept. 20, in Paw Paw. It’s free. Last year, I was incredibly impressed with it and would be attending this year except I have a family gathering that day. They have expanded what the festival is this year to included music and such. Details are at https://pawpawfest.org/.
- The Illinois Valley Hunting & Fishing Collectibles Show (https://www.muddywaterdecoys.com/) is Sunday, Sept. 14, at Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort in Utica.
WILD OF THE WEEK
Jim Hantak takes first honors for reporting a sighting of a woolly bear caterpillar. On a golf course in Spring Valley. “I found this one right next to my golf ball,” he texted. May the divining of the winter weather begin.
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
FISH GATHERINGS
Tuesday, Sept. 16: MidWest Outdoors’ Jim O’Neil, Arlington Anglers, Poplar Creek Banquets, Hoffman Estates, 6:30 p.m.,
Wednesday, Sept. 17: Capt. Austin Wiggerman, guiding northern Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota, Wednesday: Fox River Valley chapter of Muskies, Inc., Schaumburg Golf Club, 7 p.m.https://www.facebook.com/groups/281138376820
Wednesday, Sept. 17: Dale Bowman, local updates, Q&A, whatever pops into his head, South Side Muskie Hawks, Village Sportsmen’s Club, Alsip, 7 p.m., https://www.southsidemuskiehawks.org/
Thursday, Sept. 18: Bob Bobich, “Bass fishing, `Getting Jiggy with It,’ ” Fish Tales Fishing Club, Worth Township offices, Alsip, 7 p.m., https://www.fishtalesfishingclub.com/
DUCKS UNLIMITED
Wednesday, Sept. 17: Chain O’Lakes Gun Bingo, Fox Lake American Legion, https://ducksunlimited.myeventscenter.com/event/Chain-O-Lakes-Gun-Bingo-Fox-Lake-Il-114701
Thursday, Sept. 18: Northwest Suburban Fundraiser, Cotillion Banquets, Palatine, https://ducksunlimited.myeventscenter.com/event/Northwest-Suburban-Fundraiser-110947
Thursday, Sept. 18: Lake Forest Area Banquet, Onwentsia Club, https://ducksunlimited.myeventscenter.com/event/Lake-Forest-Area-Banquet-114084
WINGSHOOTING
Next weekend, Sept. 20 and 21 (three separate sessions):Des Plaines State Fish & Wildlife Area, Wilmington, (815) 423-5326, https://dnr2.illinois.gov/WingshootingClinics/
ILLINOIS SEASONS
Sunday, Sept. 14: Teal season ends
Monday, Sept. 15: Early Canada goose season ends
HUNTER SAFETY
Next weekend, Sept. 20-21: Kankakee, https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/230305
Sept. 25 & 27: Newark, https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/230851
Oct. 9 & 11: Palatine, https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/230306
Oct. 11-12: Mokena, https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/234486
The full state listing is at https://www.register-ed.com/programs/illinois
U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
Saturday, Sept. 20: Boat America, Waukegan, Dave Colen, education@waukeganaux.com