Outdoors notes for Jan. 17
On the heels of the recent lead ban in California and similar rumblings in Arizona, Safari Club International (www.scifirstforhunters.org) is reporting that the Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources is considering a proposal to ban lead shotgun pellets for small game hunting in some parts of the state, requiring hunters to use nontoxic alternatives such as polymer, steel or tungsten.
While no decision has been made, the ban would be aimed mostly at pheasant hunters. The ban would attempt to protect upland birds, waterfowl and other species that might ingest the lead pellets accidentally and succumb to lead poisoning.
Dennis Simon, chief of the DNR's wildlife management section, said the ban probably would start in state's Wildlife Management areas and eventually be phased in to include all land in agricultural areas, including private land. He said it's unlikely the ban would apply to grouse or other hunting in the state's northern forested areas.
The outdoors community lost a very good friend.
Outdoors friend: Outdoors writer Bob Schmidt died last weekend following a long battle with an illness. Bob was the first editor of the In Fisherman magazine in Brainerd, Minn. He was recently inducted into the Freshwater Hall of Fame. Bob was 67.
Goodbye thaw: Expect ice fishing to greatly improve this weekend, especially on the Fox Chain. The arrival of cold weather again has helped kiss the January thaw goodbye. Look for good walleye fishing on the south end of Channel Lake. In the meantime, perch anglers at Montrose, Waukegan and Navy Pier are seeing improved fishing.
It's show time: At McCormick Place (north building), the Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show continues through Sunday. Hours are Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: $10 adults, $8 seniors, $4 for teens ages 13-15. For more information, visit www.chicagoboatshow.com.
• In Rosemont, the 29th Chicagoland Outdoors Show runs through Sunday at the Stephens Convention Center. Hours: 2-8 p.m. Thursday, 2-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $9 for adults, $8 seniors. Kids on weekdays (16 and younger) are free. Weekends $5 for children 6-16. For more, visit chicagolandsportshow.com.