Dale Bowman
@bowmanoutside.bsky.social
Former outdoors columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times.
This kind of story pulls me temporarily out of retirement and away from bear hunting. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Leo Garza reels in record walleye in Chicago
The walleye weighed in at 14.3 pounds on a certified scale
chicago.suntimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:08 AM
This kind of story pulls me temporarily out of retirement and away from bear hunting. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Dawn popped the remaining color at Allerton on my morning ramble. The multitude of oaks helps with late color and also explains the 40 to 50 gray squirrels I saw on my two-mile ramble. The topper was two pileated woodpeckers, stunningly not making any noise, when I finished at the mansion.
November 16, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Dawn popped the remaining color at Allerton on my morning ramble. The multitude of oaks helps with late color and also explains the 40 to 50 gray squirrels I saw on my two-mile ramble. The topper was two pileated woodpeckers, stunningly not making any noise, when I finished at the mansion.
The process for obtaining a winter fishing pass at Navy Pier Marina opened on Friday. navypiermarina.com/fishing-pass...
Winter Fishing Pass Application | Apply Today
Join Navy Pier Marina's community by filling out our preferred vendor application. Ideal for charters, dealers, and boat clubs.
navypiermarina.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:03 PM
The process for obtaining a winter fishing pass at Navy Pier Marina opened on Friday. navypiermarina.com/fishing-pass...
Karyn and I broke up the drive to my youngest niece's wedding tomorrow by stopping at Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater over Bear Run just before dark today. Highly recommend it.
November 8, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Karyn and I broke up the drive to my youngest niece's wedding tomorrow by stopping at Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater over Bear Run just before dark today. Highly recommend it.
Orion the Hunter dominated the sky as I walked out before dawn bowhunting deer not far from Cherry Springs in Pennsylvania, one of the best night sky spots east of the Mississippi. Okay, I like the symbolic nature of Orion the Hunter dominating the sky as I go out to the blind.
November 3, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Orion the Hunter dominated the sky as I walked out before dawn bowhunting deer not far from Cherry Springs in Pennsylvania, one of the best night sky spots east of the Mississippi. Okay, I like the symbolic nature of Orion the Hunter dominating the sky as I go out to the blind.
Final notes package, as always with much help from readers and those who know. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Chicago outdoors: Chinook draws a crowd, O'Hare buck, fall turkey harvest drop, Stray Cast
Raya Redding's Chinook at 31st drawing a crowd, Scott Richard Holm's O'Hare buck photo, the Stray Cast and an update on navigating the Fox Chain O'Lakes are among the notes from around Chicago outdoor...
chicago.suntimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Final notes package, as always with much help from readers and those who know. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
One of the three ravens at one of my favorite rest stops, the Chautauqua rest area on I-86 across Southern New York. I-86 is just a gem of a drive. I usually try to time it so I can take a lunch break or a rest here. About to disappear for five days to bowhunt deer in the Pennsylvania Wilds.
November 1, 2025 at 6:39 PM
One of the three ravens at one of my favorite rest stops, the Chautauqua rest area on I-86 across Southern New York. I-86 is just a gem of a drive. I usually try to time it so I can take a lunch break or a rest here. About to disappear for five days to bowhunt deer in the Pennsylvania Wilds.
When all four kids were home we had as many as 10 or 12 around the dining room table on Halloween night for Blood and Guts. Karyn would make three pans. Tonight, we barely dented the one pan she made. Time moves on. Good to see other parents out with kids tonight at our new home in Homewood.
November 1, 2025 at 12:51 AM
When all four kids were home we had as many as 10 or 12 around the dining room table on Halloween night for Blood and Guts. Karyn would make three pans. Tonight, we barely dented the one pan she made. Time moves on. Good to see other parents out with kids tonight at our new home in Homewood.
My final column. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Dale Bowman, longtime Sun-Times outdoors columnist, escapes for new adventure
After a nearly 30-year run delighting readers at the Sun-Times, it's time to say goodbye.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:30 PM
My final column. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Sunday column on places done by The Conservation Foundation. One (the other will not open for some years) is a good option if the crowds at Starved Rock or Matthiessen state parks are too much. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Glimpsing the past and future at Dayton Bluffs Preserve and Belrose Farm
Two projects by Naperville-based The Conservation Foundation—Dayton Bluffs Preserve and Belrose Farm—on the lower Fox River give a strong glimpse of the past and the future.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Sunday column on places done by The Conservation Foundation. One (the other will not open for some years) is a good option if the crowds at Starved Rock or Matthiessen state parks are too much. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Notes package with help from readers and those who know. Something to read during timeouts in the Bears game. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Chicago outdoors: Kingfisher on a wire makes unusual landing
That and a lakefront eagle, downtown big northern pike and personal best smallmouth bass on the same day and more are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 26, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Notes package with help from readers and those who know. Something to read during timeouts in the Bears game. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Sunday column on recent interesting and notable catches in fall fishing around Chicago and kind of answer a question on melanism. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
The beautiful, big and different comes in fall Chicago fishing
The last week or so brought sharp reminders of the wonder of Chicago fishing in the fall from the big ones to the odd ones to the beautiful surprises.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 19, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Sunday column on recent interesting and notable catches in fall fishing around Chicago and kind of answer a question on melanism. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Notes package, as always with much help from readers and those who know. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Chicago outdoors: Vulture, lakefront bald eagle, suburban turkeys, Stray Cast
A vulture in Homewood, a rare sighting of a bald eagle on the lakefront, wild turkeys in Frankfort and the Stray Cast are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Notes package, as always with much help from readers and those who know. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
I've a place in my heart for Fish Tales, first place I spoke after my triple bypass. Tonight Oct. 16, I return. Meeting starts at 7, Worth Township Building, 1601 S. Pulaski Ave., Alsip. Speakers start 7:30/7:45. I'm talking perch, taking questions and have an interactive topic. Not me in photo.
October 16, 2025 at 10:16 PM
I've a place in my heart for Fish Tales, first place I spoke after my triple bypass. Tonight Oct. 16, I return. Meeting starts at 7, Worth Township Building, 1601 S. Pulaski Ave., Alsip. Speakers start 7:30/7:45. I'm talking perch, taking questions and have an interactive topic. Not me in photo.
At least in our area, trout will be stocked in time for the opener on Saturday. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
IDNR will have all northern sites stocked for trout opener
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will have all its northern sites stocked with rainbow trout in time for the opener, Saturday, Oct. 18.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 1:53 AM
At least in our area, trout will be stocked in time for the opener on Saturday. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
More details and tweaks on winter fishing at Navy Pier. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Updating winter fishing at Navy Pier
There's some tweaks and more details on fishing the north side of Navy Pier this winter since the opening of Navy Pier Marina earlier this year.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:49 PM
More details and tweaks on winter fishing at Navy Pier. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Sunday column on rail-trails, it's almost more of a political story than an outdoors one. The political journey of rail-trails captured in "From Rails to Trails" chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
The political journey of rail-trails captured in "From Rails to Trails"
Turning old railway right-of-ways into recreational trails is a story stretching past 60 years and "From Rails to Trails" captures the political (bipartisan) nature of nationwide movement.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 13, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Sunday column on rail-trails, it's almost more of a political story than an outdoors one. The political journey of rail-trails captured in "From Rails to Trails" chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Notes package with help from readers and those who know. The rut is near and a freshwater drum for FOTW. Chicago outdoors: Buck rut, trout stocking delay and a big drum chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Chicago outdoors: Buck rut, trout stocking delay and a big drum
A photo of a beautiful buck brings a reminder of the rut nearing, Illinois trout season opens on Oct. 18 but stocking is delayed and a big freshwater drum earning Fish of the Week honors are among the...
chicago.suntimes.com
October 11, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Notes package with help from readers and those who know. The rut is near and a freshwater drum for FOTW. Chicago outdoors: Buck rut, trout stocking delay and a big drum chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
I still find it notable to spot pelicans in our area even though it's been going on for a couple decades now. These were sitting at dawn this morning at the wide waters on the Illinois River.
October 10, 2025 at 12:11 PM
I still find it notable to spot pelicans in our area even though it's been going on for a couple decades now. These were sitting at dawn this morning at the wide waters on the Illinois River.
At some point, you have to concede to and adjust for climate change. We're at that point in Illinois when it comes to fall trout stockings. Climate change wins another one over Illinois' fall trout stockings chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Climate change wins another one over Illinois' fall trout stockings
Time for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to adjust to climate change and move fall trout dates later. Illinois' trout season will open as scheduled on Oct. 18, but stocking will be delaye...
chicago.suntimes.com
October 8, 2025 at 6:45 PM
At some point, you have to concede to and adjust for climate change. We're at that point in Illinois when it comes to fall trout stockings. Climate change wins another one over Illinois' fall trout stockings chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Sunday column off wandering/birding the Palos area with Joel Greenberg and Tom Schrader. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Wandering and birding the Palos area during migration
A wonderful time of birding and wandering around a milk run of birding sites around the Palos area came together a week ago with Joel Greenberg and Tom Schrader.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 6, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Sunday column off wandering/birding the Palos area with Joel Greenberg and Tom Schrader. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Notes package, as always with much help from readers and those who know. Stray Cast returns. Chicago outdoors: Pic of a flicker flight, a sailing Chinook and return of Stray Cast chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Chicago outdoors: Pic of a flicker flight, a sailing Chinook and return of Stray Cast
Paul Vriend's photo of a northern flicker in flight, a tale of a Chinook salmon caught while sailing and, as requested, the return of the Stray Cast are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors an...
chicago.suntimes.com
October 6, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Notes package, as always with much help from readers and those who know. Stray Cast returns. Chicago outdoors: Pic of a flicker flight, a sailing Chinook and return of Stray Cast chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Updating what is up for winter perch fishing at Navy Pier with the new marina. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Winter perch fishing will go at Navy Pier around the new marina
Winter perch fishing will go on as it has for decades at Navy Pier with working around the Navy Pier Marina, which opened earlier this year.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 2, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Updating what is up for winter perch fishing at Navy Pier with the new marina. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Today's column simply started as a chance to spend some time chasing sturgeon with Erik Brztowski. By the night's end, I had not only caught my PB sturgeon, but my PB freshwater fish. Seeking big lake sturgeon, catching a PB freshwater fish chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Seeking big lake sturgeon, catching a PB freshwater fish
Erik Brztowski led a fulfilling day and night chasing lake sturgeon on the Wisconsin River. It ended with not only my personal-best sturgeon, but my PB freshwater fish, as well.
chicago.suntimes.com
September 28, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Today's column simply started as a chance to spend some time chasing sturgeon with Erik Brztowski. By the night's end, I had not only caught my PB sturgeon, but my PB freshwater fish. Seeking big lake sturgeon, catching a PB freshwater fish chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Notes package, as always with help from readers and those who know. Good mix this week. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...
Chicago outdoors: Fishing committee changes, buckeyes, Humboldt mushroom, big sturgeon
Changes coming for the Chicago Fishing Advisory Committee, Jeff Banks finding buckeyes, Moe Perez with a classic fall mushroom in Humboldt Park and John Krizek catching and releasing a big lake sturge...
chicago.suntimes.com
September 27, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Notes package, as always with help from readers and those who know. Good mix this week. chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors/202...