Patoka Sportsman 12-1-18
Patoka Sportsman 12-1 & 12-2-18
This is the final weekend for Indiana’s deer firearms season. Muzzle Loader season opens Dec. 8 and runs through the 23. The late antlerless season runs Dec. 26 thru Jan. 6 in counties with a bonus antlerless quota of 4 or more. The special antlerless firearms season gives hunters additional opportunities to harvest antlerless deer in those participating counties. Hunters may use the deer license bundle to fulfill bag limits during the special antlerless season but must purchase additional antlerless licenses after bag limits have been reached. Hunters who do not have a bundle license must purchase a separate bonus antlerless license to hunt in the special antlerless firearms season and have one license for each additional deer. Archery season will also continue through Jan. 6.
Carcasses of deer and other wild animals that are lawfully taken cannot be dumped in streams or other bodies of water. Dumping dead deer and other wild animals in a waterway is considered littering and is a criminal offense punishable by a fine. Rotting carcasses in a waterway can also affect water quality for those downstream. Carcasses should not be burned because this can cause air pollution. Carcasses shouldn’t be left in the open for scavengers and others to see without permission from the landowner. We recommend all discarded carcasses and unwanted animal parts be bagged, placed in your trash, and sent to a landfill.
Wildlife Manager, Kalli Dunn, is seeking help from the hunting public to help with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance. Kalli will require collecting lymph nodes from the neck of the deer. If you are willing to let Kalli sample your deer, during any of the deer seasons, please contact her within 24 hours of the kill. Chronic Wasting Disease is more likely evident in older deer. Therefore, she only wants deer that are 1.5 years and older. Keep deer cool (but not frozen) or remove head below “Adam’s apple”. Kalli will come to you to collect the sample or arrangements can be made to meet at the Glendale F & W Area office. If you plan to head or shoulder mount your deer it is not a candidate for this collection due to the damage caused to the neck. Kalli’s contact information: [email protected] Office (7am – 2pm): 812-644-7711.
Hunters can check in their game online through the CheckIN Game system, in the Fish & Wildlife Online Services application, at an on-site check station, or by phone. The online CheckIN Game system and the Fish & Wildlife Online Services can be used with any Internet-connected device. Both of these options are free, and you don’t need to set up an account online to check in your game. You can purchases licenses, check in game, view your check-in history, get your HIP number, purchase a gift certificate or make a donation through your account.
Call TIP if you see, hear or learn about poaching or another fish-and-wildlife rule violation. If your “TIP” leads to an arrest, you may receive as much as a $200 reward, and you can remain anonymous. Call 1-800-TIP-IDNR, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The annual Hunters for the Hungry program administered by the Dubois County Sportsmen’s Club is going on now through the end of deer season January 6. Any hunter who harvests a deer can donate it to the Hunters for the Hungry by taking it to Sanders Processing in Celestine, Ferdinand Processing, Cannelburg Processing or Ohio Valley Custom Deer Processing in English. Processing will be paid for through a grant from the Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund acquired by the Dubois County Sportsmen’s Club. All donated deer meat is packaged and distributed through area food banks. Each donated deer will give the hunter an entry to win a gun donated by Dr. Greg Gordon and Jasper Optical Lab. So far 73 deer have been donated.
Meet the naturalist and other certified archery instructors at the Patoka Lake Nature Center for a beginner to intermediate archery lesson on Saturday, December 15th from 9:00a.m.- Noon. This event is open to adults and youth ages 8 and up. All archery equipment will be provided. Participation is limited to the first 15 registrants. Register by calling the Patoka Lake Nature Center at 812.685.2447. Cost is $5/person. Join in a friendly archery competition at 11:30a.m. using the skills learned at the lesson. For more information regarding this program or other interpretive events, please call the Nature Center at 812.685.2447.
Experience the world of eagles in Indiana with indoor & outdoor programs at Patoka Lake Nature Center on Saturday, January 5, 2019 from 10:00a.m. to 4:30p.m. E.S.T. during the 31st annual Eagle Watch. Featured will be a resident bald eagle & other live raptors. Dana Reckelhoff, DNR Patoka Lake Interpretive Naturalist, will share the life and story of these amazing birds of prey. Join Brian Finch, Patoka Lake Wildlife Specialist and his team on driving tours to hot spots for eagle viewing. Allisyn Gillet, Indiana's Non-game Bird Biologist will share the history of the 1980’s Eagle Reintroduction Program and the success of this species! Discover interesting information about eagles found in your part of the state. Other short topics include flight and osprey. A catered meal will be provided. Kid’s activities and crafts will be available from 12:30 – 4:00p.m. Cost is $15/person. Advanced registration is required and can be submitted by calling the Patoka Lake Nature Center at (812)685-2447. Dress for the weather and don’t forget to bring binoculars, spotting scopes, and cameras! Have vehicles fueled for the driving tour. This event is limited to the first 55 registered participants.