Yes, unfortunately Dan Dauw’s “Dan D’s Outdoors” has left the newspaper print and gone the modern digital way. Last week I met with Computer Wizard’s Dalcon & Erin, who put together the Geneseo Current. I was able to convince the two to let me submit a weekly column on Tuesdays. As in the past, it will be a mixture of outdoor related items, like fishing, hunting, target shooting, etc. Coming events might be about the Maple City Band, Geneseo Izaak Walton League, Boy & Girl Scouts, Bishop Hill, Henry County, Illinois DNR, etc. Some humor or jokes will be thrown in the mix, too! Anyway, I hope you will enjoy reading the column, but if not, I don’t blame you! Just go back to reading the dictionary even though it’s a bit wordy.

Photos & Info

Whether ‘yer fishing hard or soft water and you catch “Jaws” or several nice fish, or maybe your child caught its first fish, take a photo and send it to me. Include a phone number in case I have a question. Same goes if you’re out walking the canal and you see maybe an eagle, turkey, fox, or porpoise, send me a photo of it at deboonelr@aol.com. When taking a photo outside in the sun, and if you are wearing a hat or sunglasses, take it off so we can see your face.

Last Thursday at Glen and Jan Anderson’s place in rural Geneseo, they counted 40 wild turkeys in their backyard. They feed many, many birds during the course of the year.

Speaking Of Birds

While we haven’t had the worse of winters, although last Thursday’s snow as a fair amount, it’s good to feed our feathered friends. We have two feeders. One with safflower and sunflower seeds and the other with nyjer.

Another food source are suet cakes hung in wire cages. Woodpeckers especially love suet. Two locations for birdseed that we go to is Geneseo’s Farm & Fleet and East Moline Feed & Pet Supply, Carbon Cliff, IL. Birds also need water so if you can keep a container of water without it freezing, that would help the birds, too. During the warmer months we sit on our deck and watch many bird species chow down. We also hang two hummingbird and oriole feeders. Last summer l actually had a hummer feed from a little container I held in my hand. That was awesome! So, no matter what the season is, if you don’t feed the birds, think about doing so. It’s fun and rewarding, too!

Ice Fishing

This has been “up ‘n down” weather for hard water fishing. Our Geneseo Izaak Walton League’s “Ice Fishing Tournament” was not held because of unsafe ice. I’ve only been out a few times, but nothing to brag about. First ice and last ice is considered the best for ice fishing. Depending on what Mother Nature has planned, we should have about three, maybe four, weeks left of ice fishing. Keep in mind, to be safe, make sure there is at least 4 inches of ice. It’s a fun and enjoyable sport, but don’t fall through the ice. You’ll scare the fish!

LST-325

Stands for “Landing Ship,Tank.” A few years ago this WW2 Navy ship dropped anchor in the Mississippi River at Bettendorf, IA. A few years before that she docked on the Illinois side at Moline, IL. Both times the ship drew hundreds of spectators including Lorna and myself. As an old Navy sailor, I totally enjoyed walking her decks. If you don’t mind traveling to Burlington, IA, or LaCrosse, WS, you can go aboard her and tour the historical ship. She will also be seen as she cruises past the Quad Cities to and from LaCrosse. She will be in our area around September or October 2023. Stay tuned!

H.C. Historical Museum

Spring is not real far away and one place, of many, you should visit while in Bishop Hill, IL, is the Henry County Historical Museum. It used to be a school and each “classroom” has a particular theme like antique farm equipment and buggies, military room, and other rooms filled with local antiques. It is open from May 1 to Oct 31. It is free, but donations are most welcome.

Driving Humor

I saw a bumper sticker last week that read, “I brake on impact.” I have a full time Geneseo Police escort, unfortunately, he’s always behind me! Last week I was in a nine-car pileup. It was not as bad as you might think. It was at four different intersections. Lastly, Lyn Paris’s car is a collectable. It collects dirt in the carburetor, nails in the tires, and dents in the fender.