Patoka Sportsman 2-15-20

Patoka Sportsman 2-15 & 2-16-20

There’s a new Facebook group that has been gaining a lot of traction in just a few short days.  It’s called the Dubois County 2A United Sanctuary Movement. WHAT IS A 2A SANCTUARY COUNTY? Becoming 2A sanctuary simply means that if County law-enforcement deems a law is against the constitution or second amendment, they don’t have to enforce it. It will be up to their discretion. This does not mean that county, state or federal law-enforcement cannot take your guns. The biggest purpose according to group organizer, Kristofer Mundy, is that it sends a message to both current and future elected officials that they believe in the Second Amendment and will do what they can to protect it. This also sends a message to our servicemen and women that they are going to try to protect the very rights there fighting for to the best of their ability. The goal of this group is to gather people local to individual counties to petition their county’s council to pass local second amendment sanctuary ordinances. Mundy says the designation would also send a message to the state regarding the area’s stance on future gun-related messages.  Several Indiana counties are organizing this effort now.  Jennings County became the first county to declare second amendment sanctuary status.  Mundy believes that the strength in their sanctuary movement is for all counties to work together instead of individually. Dubois County 2A United Sanctuary Movement members have already met with members of the Dubois County Sheriff’s Office and plan on speaking with the Dubois County Commissioners soon. The commissioners are the group that would ultimately approve or deny the county’s sanctuary status. Mundy says their Facebook page is a platform where members can share news related to current events and legislation and voice support for their cause. Their mission statement says “stand united to help protect the Constitution and the Second Amendment against laws that infringe on our rights as US citizens.  It is our duty to teach and inform the public through updates, current events and facts.” Check our Dubois County 2A United Sanctuary Movement on Facebook to find out more.

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb today recently that Director Cameron Clark will retire from the Department of Natural Resources at the end of March. Clark was appointed as the director of the DNR in 2013 by then-Gov. Mike Pence and reappointed by Gov. Holcomb in 2017. As director, Clark stewards more than 500,000 acres of land and water. Since 2013, he has protected 6,700 acres in 39 new nature preserves, including the J.D. Marshall Nature Preserve – the state’s only underwater nature preserve. Clark has overseen the development of Gov. Holcomb’s Next Level Trails program, the largest infusion of trail funding in state history with $90 million dedicated to connecting communities through more hiking, biking and riding trails. Clark was promoted to director after two years as DNR’s chief legal counsel. Prior to that, he worked in private practice. Clark earned a law degree from Indiana University and an undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University. The Department of Natural Resources state parks, reservoirs and nature preserves host tens of millions of guests each year. The agency is also charged with regulatory responsibility for wildlife, and our land and water resources. Clark’s final day will be March 27.
Patoka Lake Bowhunters will host a 30 Target 3-D Archery Shoot on Sunday February 16th at Patoka Lake Archery Range near Wickcliffe. Participants should use the Main Entrance at Patoka Lake off State Road 164. Registration is from Daylight - Noon. Shooting fees are $10.00 for nonmembers, and $5.00 for youth (age 11-17), Cubs 10 and under along with Active Military will shoot for for free. For more information call 812-309-9373.

Patoka Valley Friends of the NRA will hold their 2020 annual friends of the NRA banquet on Saturday, Feb. 22 at Venue 1408 in Huntingburg.  Doors open at 5.  Dinner is at 7.  There will be door prizes, a live and silent auction and special drawings.  Tickets are in exchange for a donation of $35 each or are included with the big Shooters Bonus Pack for a $100 donation.  This includes one dinner ticket and $100 bonus draw tickets.  You can save $35 if you purchase before Feb. 17.  Tickets are available at Dave’s Guns in Holland, Great Outdoors and Jeff’s Bait & Guns in Jasper.  All net proceeds benefit youth education, range development, conservation efforts plus many other qualified educational programs.

White River Longbeards Hunting Heritage Banquet will be held Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Montgomery Ruritan Community Building.  Doors open at 4:30.  Dinner is at 6:30.  Register online at events.nwtf.org/141430-2020.  Early bird registration expires on Feb. 16. For more information contact Mike Chestnut at 812-698-0077 or email [email protected].

Applications may be submitted now through Feb. 19, 2020 for Spring Turkey reserved hunts. Local Participating properties are Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area, Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, Glendale Fish & Wildlife Area, Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area, Hovey Lake Fish & Wildlife Area, Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge and Sugar Ridge Fish & Wildlife Area. Applicants must possess a valid hunting license for the species they wish to hunt. The application process is now consolidated into the online services website along with Licenses, Check-In game, and HIP registration. An online account is not required to apply, so there is no need to log in. Please note that in this new system, hunts without fees to register will follow the same process as those with a fee. For hunts with no fee to register, you still will be asked to Add to Cart, Proceed to Checkout, and Place Order. If the transaction total is $0, you will not be asked to enter credit card info.

Pick up your hard copy of the 2020-2021 Indiana Fishing Regulation Guide this month from one of the DNR properties or retailers. The guide is now available online. Highlights of the new guide include: 2020 free fishing days, 2019 Fish of the Year winners, State Record Fish, crappie fishing locations and tips, and information about Indiana’s striped bass management program. This year's four free fishing days are May 3, June 6-7, and Sept. 26. Indiana residents do not need a fishing license or a trout stamp to fish in public waters on these days.

The 2020-2021 hunting seasons are now posted. Dates for migratory bird and waterfowl seasons will become available in the summer. Those seasons are set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in cooperation with the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife. Your 2019 hunting and fishing licenses are valid through March 31, 2020.