Chicago outdoors: Looking closer at a goose and answering a local sturgeon question

Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.

WILD OF THE WEEK

Joseph Opoka and his granddaughter Gabriella Opoka (home for Easter from Michigan State) crossed paths with "Happy Honker" at Brezina Woods near La Grange Park. "This bird seemed content to feed near us in a calm manner," Joseph emailed. I think sometimes we forget to relish the return of Canada geese over the last 60 years, a return to the point that they almost seem a nuisance.

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

"[You] mentioned three sturgeon being documented. Could you clarify where they were determined to be. I assume southern Lake Michigan, but I wondered if any had entered the Calumet River or any of the northwest Indiana Rivers. I worked for many years in the Calumet area and learned that there was an IDNR documented sturgeon years (decades?) ago trying to enter Wolf Lake up Indian Creek . . . so I was wondering if any of the three you mentioned were trying to move upstream? Ders Anderson

A: Charlie Roswell, assistant research scientist, aquatic ecology, for the Illinois Natural History Survey, emailed that all three sturgeon were detected in Lake Michigan by the receivers in their smallmouth bass movement study.

WILD TIMES

LAUNCH PARTY

Tuesday, April 29: Chicago No Limits Fishing, St. Gregory Auditorium at St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church, Chicago, 5:30-8:30 p.m., suggested donation $60.

FISH GATHERING

Wednesday, April 30: Guide and tournament angler Dale Helgeson, "Spring Tactics for River Walleyes," Walleyes Unlimited, Gurnee American Legion, 6 p.m.

ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS

Wednesday, April 30: Final day, first lottery, Illinois residents, firearm and muzzleloader deer permits

Through Wednesday, April 30: Fourth spring turkey season, south zone

Through Wednesday, April 30: Third spring turkey season, north zone

Thursday, May 1: First day, fourth spring turkey season, north zone

Thursday, May 1: First day, fifth spring turkey season, south zone

U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

Saturday, May 3: Boat America, Skokie, Dan O'Connell, cgaux.doc@gmail.com

HUNTER SAFETY

May 31-June 1: Morris, Call Earl at (815) 693-8344

The full state listing is at dnr2.illinois.gov/SafetyEd/SafetyEdClassByCounty

WATERFOWL

May 7: Illinois Department of Natural Resources open houses for waterfowl hunters, 5:30 to 8 p.m., James “Pate” Philip State Park, Bartlett, click here for the statewide release and more information.