Innovative Department of Natural Resources Director Kyle Hupfer is offering rank-and-file Hoosiers a chance to get fiscally involved in the development of Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) wildlife management programs.

As keynote speaker at last Saturday’s annual meeting of Hoosier Outdoor Writers Association (HOW), Hupfer unveiled a program aimed at encouraging those who do not fish or hunt to help finance management programs for both game and non-game species of fish and wildlife.

Explaining that many DFW programs are concerned with species that are not pursued by hunters and anglers. Hupfer noted that many Hoosiers make contributions every year to numerous Department of Natural Resources (DNR) programs, adding that a portion of these donations could well be channeled to the DFW by buying a $25 combination hunting/fishing license.

“By purchasing a $25 combination hunting/fishing license, Hoosiers can do much more than hunt and fish,” Hupfer points out in a brochure that is available this week at the Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show.

 “Even if you do not consider yourself a sportsman or sportswoman, your annual combo license purchase will help the DNR buy critical wildlife habitat, like the new 8,000-acre Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area,” the brochure notes.

Best of all, Hupfer says, “each combo license is matched by an additional $20 in federal funds to help manage Indiana’s valuable fish and wildlife resources.”

The combo license is available at the DNR exhibit in Marsh Blue Ribbon Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, but it also is available at hunting/fishing license vendors throughout the state, or on line by going to WWW.IndianaOutdoors.IN.gov. (this appears to be case sensitive). When that site opens click on  “licensing Info” and then click on “Purchasing Hunting, Fishing Or Trapping Licenses.” From there you can purchase a license without getting out of your chair.

Licenses can also be purchased by phone (317-233-4976), or by mail. These procedures are fully explained in the DNR’s 2006 “Recreation and Fishing Guide,” a slick-paper, magazine-format publication that covers both recreation and fishing in one thorough, eye-catching piece of work. The new Recreation and Fishing Guide also is available (free) at the DNR Sports Show exhibit, or at fishing/hunting license outlets, including DNR properties, throughout the state.

WATERFOWL SEASONS 

The Division of Fish and Wildlife will host a series of public open houses to gather public opinion about waterfowl hunting for the 2006-07 seasons. Results of 2005 the Waterfowl Hunter Survey will be available at these events. 

All open houses will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Dates and locations are:  March 6: Sugar Ridge Fish and Wildlife Area, Winslow, IN; March 8: Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area, Edinburgh, IN, and March 9: Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area, Morocco, IN.

Also available at the open houses will be preliminary season dates for the 2006-07 waterfowl hunting seasons. The preliminary dates have been developed using results from the 2005 Waterfowl Hunter Survey and are offered for public comment. Preliminary dates are subject to revision and must be approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this summer.

The DNR will also accept comments on additional waterfowl hunting issues such as zone and split seasons.

Written comments may be sent to Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Waterfowl Zone Comments, 553 E Miller Dr., Bloomington, IN 47401. All comments must be received by April 15, 2006. 

ICY SPECULATION

The recent cold nights, when the bottoms seemed to have dropped out of thermometers around the state, have spawned some speculation among hard-water anglers that we may be benefactors of more safe ice for fishing.

“Don’t count on it,” said the boys from the Tackle Box, a far northeastern bait shop in the natural lakes country where ice comes first (also last and always). The extremely cold nights also had their share of wind and that is a no-no for the production of natural ice.

They say temps above freezing in the next few days (this week) will thwart the possibilities.

I GOOFED DEPT.

Last week’s column on the Purdue University Press’ hot new book, “Native Trees of the Midwest,” I failed to list the telephone number for ordering this book. The toll-free phone number is 1-800-247-6553. The book can also be ordered online: pupress@purdue.edu. The price is  $49.95, plus $9.50 for handling and mailing. The book probably will be delivered in three to five days in Indiana. Join the Purdue Press Pilot Program for a year ($50) and you can get the book free, no postage. 

Native Trees of the Midwest opens with a beautiful dust jacket and continues through more than 125 species of trees.