Chicago outdoors: Muskrat love (duckweed), "Trash Panda," doubling on muskies
Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
WILD OF THE WEEK
Mark Kasick photographed a raccoon, what he dubbed "Trash Panda," in a parking lot in the Palos Forest Preserves. What I call art out chaos.
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).
DALE'S MAILBAG
"I saw two muskrats feeding on duckweed at Crabtree Nature Center in Sulky Pond [Tuesday]. Thought you might like to see this one. Lots of duckweed on its fur, too." Alan Anderson
A: I do like to see it. Don't get many photos of muskrats. Duckweed is a big favorite of muskrats.
FISH OF THE WEEK
Leonard F. Amari emailed, "I have been a fisherman my entire life, I’m 83. Never caught a muskie. Never even hooked one. We fish up at Shady Roost in Ontario every year and my 17-year-old grandson, Jason Eric O’Dell, caught two gigantic muskie in 30 minutes." Vince Oppedisano, a regular contributor to the former Midwest Fishing Report and a lawyer on Amari's staff, said they were caught on inline spinners. Guide Grant Givins is holding O'Dell's muskie. O'Dell just graduated from Notre Dame College Prep and is headed to Indiana University.
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).
SOUTH SHORE BASS OPEN
The father-and-son team of Scott and Tyler Christy won the second South Shore Bass Open out of Hammond Marina last Sunday with two-day total of 33.64 pounds to earn $12,000. With tournament big-bag of 19.76 on Sunday, they stormed past Day 1 leaders, Cody Bertrand and Edan Czarobski (second, 32.88).
INHS HEAD
Michael Dreslik becomes the Illinois Natural History Survey director and Illinois State Biologist at the Prairie Research Institute. Dreslik, a research scientist for nearly 30 years with INHS, is dedicated "to field-based research, science for the public good, and the INHS mission," according to the announcement.
WILD TIMES
FISH GATHERINGS
Monday, Aug. 11 (note day change): Capt. Jim Mueller, Salmon Unlimited, Thornwood Restaurant & Lounge, Wood Dale, free, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 14: Guide Steve Welch, "Crappie, Walleye, and White Bass on Lake Shelbyville and Jumbo Crappie on Tennessee's Big Sandy," Riverside Fishing Club, Berwyn Moose Lodge 424, 6:45 p.m.
WINGSHOOTING
Next weekend, Aug. 16 & 17 (three separate sessions): Waterman, email hunterwsclinic@gmail.com to register.
ILLINOIS PERMITS
Friday, Aug. 15: Final day, third lottery, deer firearm and muzzleloader lottery
HUNTER SAFETY
Thursday and Saturday,, Aug 14 and 16: Bonfield, (847) 635-3198
Aug. 23-24: Wilmington, https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/230303
Sept. 6-7: Joliet, https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/230304
The full state listing is at dnr2.illinois.gov/SafetyEd/SafetyEdClassByCounty
U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
Saturday, Aug. 16: Boat America, Waukegan, Dave Colen, education@waukeganaux.com
Saturday, Aug. 16: Boat America, Michigan City, Ind., Bryan Runion, brdr94@msn.com