Notes from around Chicago outdoors.

FIELD NOTES

WILD OF THE WEEK

Thursday may have been a historic migration of sandhill cranes through the Chicago area from emails, texts and messages sent to me, corroborated by many reports of IBET, the birders network. Many cranes are likely headed to Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in Indiana. With that in mind, Emil Baumbach sent a photo (above) he took there recently.

Wild of the Week, a celebration of wild scenes around Chicago outdoors, runs on Sundays on the Sun-Times outdoors page as warranted. Send nominations by Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside) or email (straycasts@sbcglobal.net).

WILD TIMES

HUNTER SAFETY

(Click here for full package of northeast Illinois hunter safety classes)

Jan. 20-21: Wheeling, huntersafety@sbcglobal.net

FISH GATHERINGS

Tuesday: Tony Boshold on ice fishing, Lombard Sportsman’s Club, Lombard Christian Reformed Church, free, dinner 6 p.m., speaker, 7 p.m., lombardcrc.org/sportsman/

Tuesday: Capt. Chris Taurisano, “Patterning Big Muskies,’’ Chicagoland Muskie Hunters chapter of Muskies Inc., Giuseppe’s La Cantina, Des Plaines, 7:30 p.m., chicagolandmuskiehunters.org/meetingschedule.asp

Wednesday: Chas Martin on northern Wisconsin, Fox River Valley chapter of Muskies Inc., Schaumburg Golf Club, 7 p.m., frvmuskie.com

ILLINOIS SEASONS/PERMITS

Today, Dec. 11: Muzzleloader deer season

Tuesday, Dec. 13: Duck hunting, north zone, ends

Dec. 18: Snipe season ends

YOUTH

Dec. 30: Registration deadline, drawing for the Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt, Jan. 15-16, (217) 785-8060

SHOWTIME

Today, Dec. 11: Final day, Milwaukee Ice Fishing & Winter Sports Show, Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, Wis.

DUCKS UNLIMITED

(Click here for the general list of Illinois DU events)

PHEASANTS FOREVER

(Click here for general list of Illinois PF events)

NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION

(Click here for general list of banquets and events)

DALE’S MAILBAG

Q: “Wondering where the money goes to for the `cash only’ pier passes that are available at Henry’s?’’ Dan Dillon

A: The money goes to the general fund of the Chicago Park District.

BIG NUMBER

-8.5: Percentage drop in deer harvest during Illinois’ two firearm seasons (79,429), compared to last year (86,847). Second-season harvest was 24,977.

LAST WORD

“But the IDNR is managing it about as well as the state manages its finances.’’

Jack Standiford, one of many commenting on the drop in deer harvest during Illinois’ firearms seasons

“I think the moon phase and [epizootic hemorrhagic disease] made a huge impact’’

Jay Paschen, with another reason

pier