Chicago outdoors: Juncos in winter and "too cold to fish"
Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
WILD OF THE WEEK
On Monday, Paul Vriend emailed this photo and observation, " On what appears to be one of the coldest days of the year, I want to pay my respects to the dark-eyed junco, a small winter visitor to Chicago and quite the survivor. Apparently, they grow 30% more feathers in the winter than in the summer." Earlier last week, increasing the percentage of feathers would've been a great idea.
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).
LAST WORD
"Not much has changed since last week, other than it’s way too cold to go fishing."
Guide Bill Stoeger in Fremont, Wisconsin, giving a fishing report on Tuesday.
WILD TIMES
PHEASANTS FOREVER
Saturday, Feb. 1: Lake County banquet, Maravela's Catering & Banquets, Fox Lake
ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS
Tuesday, Jan. 28: Final day, south duck season
Friday, Jan. 31: Final day, Canada goose season, central, south central and south zones
SHOWTIME
Thursday-next Sunday, Jan. 30-Feb. 2: All-Canada Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles
Friday-next Sunday, Jan. 31-Feb. 2: LVVA Ice Fishing Derby, Bangs Lake, Wauconda
Friday-next Sunday, Jan. 31-Feb. 2: Rockford Boat, Vacation & Fishing Show, Indoor Sports Center, Loves Park
Saturday-next Sunday, Feb. 1-2: Chicago Travel & Adventure Show, Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont
Saturday-next Sunday, Feb. 1-2: Captain Dan Keating Salmon Schools, Lake Michigan Angler, Winthrop Harbor
Saturday, Feb. 1: Midwest Musky Club Fishing & Outdoor Show, Village Sportsman’s Club, Alsip, vendor table and show info, Larry Downes, (630) 302-0759 or larry@riotracing.com
Saturday, Feb. 1: Island Lake Lions Club Ice Fishing Derby, Island Lake, headquartered at Eastway Park
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
HUNTER SAFETY
Feb. 8-9: Wilmington, https://islandparkdistrict.activityreg.com/selectactivity_t2.wcs
March 15-16: Diamond, sign up at Diamond Indoor Trap Range
The full state listing is at dnr2.illinois.gov/SafetyEd/SafetyEdClassByCounty
U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
Monday, Jan. 27: Boat America, Northfield, Dan O’Connell, cgaux.doc@gmail.com
Saturday, Feb. 1: Boat America, Skokie, Dan O’Connell, cgaux.doc@gmail.com