New shooting range, help endangered wildlife and Holiday gift giving

Indiana Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 12/02/2016 07:54 AM EST

Indiana’s endangered wildlife needs your help

Did you know there are more than 750 nongame and endangered wildlife species in Indiana and research and management cannot happen without donations?

We need your help to do great projects like the one below.

In 2016, we reintroduced the endangered clubshell mussel into the Eel River. Each mussel was assigned a small plastic numbered tag and a pit tag so our staff can monitor these mussels and their long-term survival. This is just one of many projects going on throughout the state to help Indiana’s nongame and endangered wildlife. Thank you for assisting endangered wildlife.

Holiday gift giving made easy

Are you looking for that perfect gift for your favorite hunter, trapper or angler?

Get a gift certificate to buy a hunting, trapping or fishing license. What a perfect gift for that person in your life that has all the equipment they need.

CookIN Gone Wild: Venison queso blanco dip

Turn in a Poacher or Polluter

Turn in a Poacher, Inc. (TIP) is a non-profit conservation organization that protects our fish and wildlife resources by increasing public support and involvement in bringing violators to justice.

Call TIP if you see, hear or learn about a poacher or another fish and wildlife violation. If your “TIP” leads to an arrest, you may receive as much as a $200 reward, and you can remain anonymous.

Call (800) 847-4367 for an immediate response or file a complaint online.

Hunting seasons beginning in December

Deer muzzleloader: Dec. 3 to Dec. 18
Turkey archery: Dec. 3 to Jan. 1, 2017
Mourning Doves: Dec. 10 to Jan. 8, 2017
Geese: Dec. 10 to Feb. 12, 2017 (North Zone)
Crow: Dec. 13 – March 1, 2017
Ducks, coots, mergansers: Dec. 24 to Jan. 1, 2017 (North Zone)
Special antlerless deer: Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, 2017

Two ways to donate your deer meat

Indiana hunters can donate deer meat to those in need or to members of their communities through two DNR programs.

The Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund and GiveIN Game program allow hunters to share their bounty with those who would like local, low-fat and high-protein meat.
The Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund benefits Indiana’s food pantries. The fund was created in 2008 to help offset deer processing costs. Harvested deer are dropped off at deer processors throughout the state. Last year, more than 70,000 pounds of ground deer meat went to food pantries.

The GiveIN Game Program was created in 2010 to help connect hunters to community members who want deer meat. This program works like an online telephone directory that allows hunters and community members to contact each other directly to donate or request deer meat.

Sandhill Cranes still flocking to Jasper-Pulaski

Sandhill Crane numbers usually peak at Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area in mid-November, but flocks can typically be seen through mid-December. The best times to view the flocks are around sunrise and sunset from the Goose Pasture Viewing Area. Sign in is required at the self-service check station.

Deer Creek FWA shooting range taking shape

A new gun range at Deer Creek Fish & Wildlife Area will have a grand opening in the spring.

The facility consists of 10-, 25-, 50-, and 100-yard shooting lanes, with several shooting stations set up for each distance. There is also an area for shotgun use, with four pads set up for hunters to practice before hunting season or have fun with their friends and family.

Stay tuned as we start thinking of classes and trainings that we can now provide at the state-of-the-art facility.

Latest deer harvest numbers & more

Looking for information on the deer harvest? You can find the latest harvest numbers, deer processing videos, recipes, deer biology and more on our deer webpage.

Fish & Wildlife Areas to offer goose hunt draws

Fish & Wildlife Areas will be conducting drawings for goose hunting following the closure of the duck season in January.

The goose season will extend to Feb. 12, 2017 for all zones.

Fish & Wildlife properties that will be conducting draws are listed below. Goose hunting on other Fish & Wildlife Areas not listed below will be open to hunters with self-service check-in.

* Jasper-Pulaski: Drawing at 5:30 a.m. CST, Wednesdays & Saturdays
* Kankakee: Drawing at 5:30 a.m. CST, Thursdays & Sundays
* Willow Slough: Drawing at 5 a.m. CST, Wednesdays & Saturdays
* Goose Pond: Please check the property web page, under “Activities” tab for draw times and dates.

Applications due for LARE funding grants

Applications are being accepted for 2017 grants from the Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) Program. Applications are due by Jan. 31, 2017. Funding is available to sponsoring entities for sediment removal, aquatic invasive vegetation management, logjam removal, and biological, engineering, and construction projects to stabilize stream or lake banks, restore aquatic habitat and prevent or reduce sedimentation and nutrient input into Indiana lakes and rivers. Questions? Email: lare@dnr.IN.gov

About Fish and Wildlife Management in Indiana

Fish and wildlife management and public access are funded by fishing and hunting license revenue and also through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. These programs collect excise taxes on sporting arms and ammunition, archery equipment, fishing equipment, and motor boat fuels. The money is distributed among state fish and wildlife agencies based on land size and the number of licensed anglers and hunters in each state. Find out more information about fish and wildlife management in Indiana at www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild.

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