Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
FISH OF THE WEEK
Kevin Matos doubled up on trophy fish on downtown Chicago on Oct. 16. "Got my first 5-pound smallmouth bass and first northern pike over 30 inches the same day right downtown on crankbaits," he emailed.
John Cuculich photographed this belted kingfisher on a wire "while traveling the wilds of Kane County on Route 30, I saw a kingfisher on a wire. I was surprised to see it, since they are pretty shy and usually can't get close to them, and since they usually hang around water. No major ponds or rivers were nearby."
The Early Show, presented by the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance and the DuPage Rivers Fly Tyers, opens show season next Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook. Admission is $10 (12 and younger, free) for the area's only all fly fishing and tying show.
YOUTH HUNTING
Deer harvest during Illinois youth deer hunt, Oct 11-13, was a record 4,714, compared to the 4,097 last year. NOTE: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources noted, "Youth hunters with an unfilled, valid youth deer permit may still hunt with the permit during the upcoming firearm deer seasons Nov. 21-23 and Dec. 4-7, the first year unfilled youth permits are valid for both segments of the firearm season.
Jonathan Schlesinger, Chicago coordinator for the Illinois Urban and Community Fishing Program, messaged on Oct. 17, "I saw a bald eagle soaring above the Museum of Science and Industry this morning. I wish the bird would have stuck around for our fishing event with the University of Chicago Outdoor Adventure Club."
Thursday, Nov. 6: Kane County banquet, Lincoln Inn Banquets, Batavia, https://events.pheasantsforever.org/events/kane-county-banquet/fdf3a684-f6ad-4147-b44a-30d1d0b0781a
DUCKS UNLIMITED
Friday, Nov. 7: Northeast Illinois banquet, Antioch VFW, https://ducksunlimited.myeventscenter.com/event/Northeast-Illinois-Ducks-Unlimited-Banquet-115484
FISH GATHERING
Wednesday, Oct. 29: Jim Crowley, "Smallmouth Bass Top to Bottom," Walleyes Unlimited, Gurnee American Legion, 6 p.m.,
Tuesday, Oct. 28: Online applications begin for late-winter antlerless and CWD seasons
Nov. 8: Youth clinic and pheasant hunt, Iroquois County State Wildlife Area, Beaverville, https://dnr2.illinois.gov/WingshootingClinics/