2008 Spring Turkey Hunting News   (4-10-2008)

- Spring turkey season forecast
- Turkey hunting range 
- Youth season dates & information
- Spring turkey season dates
- Turkey hunting safety
- Make your own turkey tags

2008 spring turkey season forecast
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Indiana DNR wildlife research biologist Steve Backs expects about 60,000 hunters will take to Hoosier woods and fields for the 2008 Indiana spring turkey hunting seasons, resulting in a harvest of between 11,000 and 13,000 birds.

Backs predicts that low turkey brood production during the last three summers (2005-07) will moderate harvest totals and hunter success rates. Data also indicates that Indiana's turkey population growth rate is leveling off.

"We still expect a harvest of more than 11,000 birds, but hunters will probably need to expend more effort to harvest a bird. Preseason scouting always pays off, but so does patience and woodsmanship during the actual hunting season," Backs said. "Experienced turkey hunters keep in mind that calling a wild turkey gobbler into gun range with a hen call is generally the opposite of the normal turkey breeding behavior. Normally, hens gravitate to a gobbler."

Backs said stabilization of Indiana's wild turkey population growth rate was expected, as restored turkey populations reach habitat saturation levels and Indiana's wild turkeys shift to a level maintenance population.

"Based on our experience and experience of other states, the shift in population growth begins to occur 10 to 15 years after population restoration," Backs said.

The majority of Indiana's turkey populations around the state are either approaching or have surpassed 15 years since restoration. Turkey populations in the northern part of the state are still growing; however, suitable wild turkey habitat is very limited in many areas of central and northern Indiana.

Backs is optimistic about this summer's turkey production. "Hopefully the 2008 summer will be better for turkeys. Right now, much of the primary turkey range is experiencing above-normal precipitation and flooding, which will discourage hens from nesting in flood-prone areas. Later flooding can ruin nests. At this time, there is sufficient moisture to assure lush spring growth, which translates into a higher abundance of invertebrate foods needed by young poults."

Indiana's peak turkey hatch normally occurs the first week of June.

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2008 turkey hunting range and youth season
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The Indiana spring hunting range will remain the same as in 2007 with 91 of 92 counties open to spring turkey hunting. Henry is now the only county closed during the spring turkey season. The DNR released turkeys in Henry County in 2004, but there were several early mortalities among the released birds. "The Henry County closure will allow additional time for these turkey flocks to grow," Backs said.

The youth turkey hunting weekend will be April 19 and 20. The regular spring season runs from April 23 to May 11.

During the youth wild turkey weekend, hunters 15 years old or younger can take a bearded or male wild turkey. The youth must be accompanied by an adult of at least 18 years of age.

The youth hunter may use any legal shotgun, bow and arrow, or crossbow. The adult accompanying the youth hunter must not possess a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow while in the field, and does not need to possess a turkey hunting license. A youth hunter may take only one bearded or male wild turkey during all spring seasons. The youth must be properly licensed to take a wild turkey and comply with all tagging and check-in requirements.

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2008 spring turkey seasons
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Youth Wild Turkey Season 
Saturday/Sunday April 19-20
(Bearded or male turkey only)

Regular Spring Wild Turkey Season
April 23 - May 11
(Bearded or male turkey only)

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Safety rules for turkey hunting
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- Select a calling position where you can see for at least 50 yards in all directions and where you are protected from the backside.

- Whistle or shout to alert approaching hunters of your position. Never wave or stand up.

- Never sneak in on a turkey or use a gobbler call near other hunters. Never crowd another hunter working a bird.

- Never shoot at sound or movement.

- Use a flashlight when walking in the dark.

- Be aware of turkey "fever" and its prevention. Disregard peer pressure to bag a bird.

- Be extremely careful using turkey decoys.

- Do not wear red, white, or blue outer wear or exposed inner clothing.

- Make sure your headnet doesn't obscure your vision.

- Don't assume you are the only hunter in the area. Be certain of a companion's location.

- Know and identify your target and what is beyond.

- Discuss safety techniques with companions.

- Never assume that other hunters are responsible.

- Always keep your gun pointed in a safe direction.

- Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.

- Always keep your gun unloaded until ready to use.

- Never use alcohol or drugs before or while hunting.

- Respect property rights and secure permission before hunting.

- Hunters should unload their guns when crossing fences, climbing into stands, jumping ditches or traversing steep ravines.

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Turkey tag requirements
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Because DNR Web-generated turkey licenses do not include a turkey tag, the DNR has adopted a rule allowing turkey hunters to tag wild turkeys with a piece of paper indicating the month and day of the kill and the name and address of the hunter taking the turkey.

A sample turkey leg tag is available at:
dnr.IN.gov/fishwild/licenses/pdf/turkeytag.pdf

More Indiana turkey data:
dnr.IN.gov/fishwild/publications/notes/notes.htm

Turkey licenses may be purchased online at:
dnr.IN.gov/indianaoutdoor/

DNR property information:
dnr.IN.gov/destinations/list.html

Wild turkey hunting regulations:
dnr.IN.gov/fishwild/huntguide1/hunting1.htm

Better Bass Fishing in Indiana Natural Lakes  (4-10-2008)

Adult largemouth bass numbers have nearly doubled since 1980 in northern Indiana natural lakes and there are more big bass now, according to DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife fisheries biologist Jed Pearson. 

The increases, he said, are most likely due to the minimum size limits and widespread acceptance of catch-and-release fishing by area bass anglers.
  
In 1980 most northern Indiana natural lakes had no minimum size limit on bass. A 12-inch size limit was imposed in 1990, and was increased to 14 inches in 1998.
  
Based on estimates of the number of 8-inch and larger bass in 59 natural lakes sampled on 171 occasions by DFW biologists, the average density of bass increased from 13 per acre to 24 per acre between 1980 and 2007. 

The actual number of 8-inch and larger bass captured by biologists increased from 78 per hour of sampling to 123 per hour. 

As bass numbers increased at natural lakes, so did bass size. Bigger bass now make up larger proportions of the adult populations. 

The proportion of 12- to 14-inch bass increased from an average of 13 percent in 1980 to 26 percent in 2007. The proportion of 14- to 18-inch bass increased from 8 to 18 percent. 

Meanwhile, the proportion of 18-inch and larger bass stayed the same, at 3 percent. 

"Indiana now has more bass and more bigger bass in its natural lakes than ever before," said Pearson, who compiled the figures from the large set of data gathered over the 27-year period. "We've also seen a rise in the catch rate of bass by anglers." 

In 1980 it took anglers an average of 2.7 hours to catch a bass, including both bass that were taken home and those that were released. Now it takes bass anglers about one hour to catch a bass. 

Overall, bass densities ranged from a low of less than one bass per acre at Lake-of-the-Woods near Bremen in 1985, to a high of 69 per acre at Barrel-and-a-half Lake near North Webster in 1998. 

Other lakes with unusually high densities of bass included Appleman in 1995, with 52 per acre and Big Long in 2005, with 40 per acre. Both are in LaGrange County. Crane Lake, in Noble County, contained 50 per acre in 1990, and Robinson Lake in Whitley County held 49 per acre in 2002. 

Other lakes with low numbers of bass were Maxinkuckee in Marshall County with three bass per acre in 1990, as well as Kosciusko County's Wawasee with four per acre in 1997 and Beaver Dam with four per acre in 1985. 

Ball Lake in Steuben County contained less than four bass per acre in 1995 and 1996, but the number rose to more than 15 bass per acre in 2001 and 2002, after imposition of a special 18-inch size limit and two-bass daily creel limit.  

Bill James Named to Great Lakes Commission  (3-24-2008)

Bill James, chief fisheries biologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for more than 35 years, has been nominated to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission by President George W. Bush.

“It’s humbling and kind of mysterious,” James said of the announcement.

The Great Lakes Fishery Commission was established in 1955 by Canada and the United States to control the invasive sea lamprey but has expanded to incorporate a wide range of aquatic research and management efforts in the Great Lakes.

 “This reflects admirably on the career and talents of Bill James, but at the same time sheds a favorable light on DNR and our state,” said Gov. Mitch Daniels, who last year honored James for 35 years of state government service. 

The GLFC focuses on aquatic resource management issues on lakes Michigan, Superior, Huron, Erie and Ontario and represents Canada and the eight states that border them: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Indiana has 45 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.

Indiana is a Great Lakes state,” James said. “So when you list the Great Lakes states, there are eight of them. It doesn’t say, Seven big ones plus Indiana. There are eight, and Indiana is one of them.”

An Illinois native, James has been in charge of the Division of Fish and Wildlife Fisheries Section since 1978. He previously worked as a reservoir biologist, statewide research supervisor and regional supervisor. James actually began his career with the DNR while in college, spending three summers assisting with lake and stream investigations throughout Indiana.

“Bill is the full package, humble, dedicated, loyal and hard working,” DNR Director Robert E. Carter Jr. said. “I’m confident he will approach this task with the same diligence he has given all these years to DNR and our state fisheries programs.”

James’ duties with DNR include overseeing statewide programs of fish management, research, hatcheries, public access, aquatic habitat, aquatic invasive species control and contaminants. 

He led management team efforts to extend migratory runs of steelhead trout and salmon on the St. Joseph River through Michigan and Indiana. That award-winning partnership project between Indiana DNR, Michigan DNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service resulted in the construction of four migration ladders to assist fish in passing over dams, a new fish hatchery in Indiana and expanded public access facilities on the river.

James has served on numerous state and national committees, is a founding member of the six-state Ohio River Fisheries Management Team, and has worked with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission in several capacities as a committee chair.

“I kind of have an idea what they do, but because I’m not working full-time on Lake Michigan issues -- there will be a brief, steep learning curve just to get up to speed on all the issues that go beyond Indiana, from Lake Superior to the St. Laurence Seaway,” James said. “That’s the real challenge, plus running out and getting a passport so I can run back and forth to Canada as needed.”

James will be completing a six-year term on the commission, which has four members and an alternate from each of the two countries.

Two previous DNR employees served on the Great Lakes commission: Division of Fish and Wildlife director Frank R. Lockard from 1978-91, and DNR director James Ridenour from 1983-89.

Media Contact: Phil Bloom, (317) 232-4003; cell (317) 502-1683.

For a photo of James, go to http://dnr.in.gov/press/bill-james-photo.jpg

Arrest Made in Live Coyote Trade Investigation (11-20-07)

Indiana conservation officers arrested one person Sunday in connection with a multi-state investigation into the illegal movement of live coyotes being sold for use in penned dog-running facilities in other states. Officers with the Department of Natural Resources checked holding facilities in Indiana for compliance with state regulations.

Earl Hunt of Kennard in Henry County was arrested on multiple charges after conservation officers searched his home and business. He was charged with two Class D felonies for conspiracy to illegally ship wildlife, and for illegally selling or shipping wildlife. Hunt also was charged with Class C misdemeanors for illegal sale to a non-licensed fur buyer, failure to issue a valid and dated receipt, and illegal possession of 40 raccoons and two beavers.

Inspections also were conducted Sunday by state fish and wildlife agents in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia as the result of a two-year investigation.

“Trapping is an essential wildlife management tool in controlling predator and nuisance wildlife populations as well as disease,” DNR director Robert E. Carter Jr. said. “The DNR supports and encourages legitimate trapping for those purposes, but this practice is a relatively new twist that is outside the traditional pursuit of wildlife.”

Indiana DNR, concerned that translocation of wildlife poses a health risk to animals and humans, was in the process of clarifying rules on possession of coyotes when it joined the investigation.

In addition to the DNR-regulated trapping and hunting season for coyotes (Oct. 15 through March 15), an Indiana landowner or someone with a landowner’s written permission can take nuisance coyotes year round. The DNR recently sought to amend the regulation to require that a coyote taken outside the regulated season must be euthanized within 24 hours and may not be sold, traded, bartered or gifted. The Natural Resources Commission gave preliminary approval to that proposal in September and is expected to hold public hearings on the rule change early next year before considering final adoption.

MEDIA CONTACTS:  Mark Farmer, DNR conservation officer, 812-620-4666; John Salb, DNR conservation officer, 317-695-6526; Phil Bloom, DNR communications director, 317-502-1683

DNR’s Paid Pheasant Program (9-06-07)

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources offers paid pheasant hunting program is scheduled for Nov. 17 - 25, at Atterbury, Glendale, Pigeon River, Tri-County, Willow Slough and Winamac fish and wildlife areas and Roush Lake.

Details of this program also are on page 8 of  the 2007-08 Indiana hunting guide available free at hunting license outlets, The tab for the hunts is $15 per person and the bag limit is two birds, as usual.

Hunters can reserve these pheasant hunts online until midnight Nov. 24 at:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/indianaoutdoor/

Hunters will be able to select the date, property and property location for their hunt. Pheasant hunting season is extended on Atterbury FWA and Glendale FWA until January 15. The bag limit is two birds of either sex.

Hunts will not be available first-come, first-served at the property, as in past years.

2007 Waterfowl Season Dates (8-25-2007)

Ducks, Coots and Mergansers
North Zone--Oct. 13 - Oct. 19; Oct. 27 - Dec. 18.
South Zone--Oct. 20 - Oct. 28; Nov. 21 - Jan. 10.
Ohio River Zone--Oct. 27 - Oct. 28; Nov. 24 - Jan. 20.
Bag: 6 ducks, including not more than 4 mallards (only 2 of which may be female), 3 mottled ducks, 2 scaup, 2 redheads, 2 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, 1 black duck, and 1 pintail

Canada Geese
SJBP (Southern James Bay Population) Zone--Oct. 13 - Oct. 14; Oct. 27 - Oct. 28, and Nov. 21 - Jan. 5.
North Zone--Oct. 13 - Oct. 14; Oct. 27 - Oct. 28 - Nov. 3 - Jan. 11.
South Zone--Oct. 20 - Oct. 21; Nov. 21 - Jan. 31.
Ohio River Zone--Oct. 27 - Oct. 28; Nov. 21 - Jan. 31.
Bag: 2 Canada geese per day (Season increased from 70 to 74 days in North, South and Ohio River Zones)

White-fronted Goose - Statewide
Nov. 3 - Jan 27.
Bag: 1 white-fronted goose per day

Light Goose and Brant - Statewide
Oct. 13 - Jan. 25.
Bag: 1 Brant per day, 20 light geese per day

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekends

Weekends (one in each zone) are set outside the regular hunting season dates to provide a quality hunting experience for young hunters. Youth hunting weekends are:

North Zone--Oct. 6 - 7.
South Zone--Oct. 13 - 14.
Ohio River Zone--Oct. 20 - 21.

Youth waterfowl hunters must be 15 years of age or younger and properly licensed to participate. Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age. An adult may accompany more than one youth. The accompanying adult may not hunt waterfowl that day (except snow geese, brant and white-fronted geese where season is open).

If the accompanying adult does not intend to hunt and does not posses a firearm, the adult does not need to be licensed. Bag and species limits are the same as those allowed in the regular season.

Waterfowl hunters must register with the Harvest Information Program (HIP). Hunters can register by visiting the DNR Web site at www.wildlife.IN.gov (click on "HIP registration"), or register by calling (866) 671-4499.

DNR Studies Wabash River Catfish (8-25-2007)

DNR river biologists are in the third year of a four-year study to determine the population status of blue, channel and flathead catfish in the Wabash River.

So far, about 2,000 catfish have been sampled to provide information on growth, age, movement, and survival.

Prelminary results indicate that at 10 years of age, blue catfish average 27 inches, channel catfish average 19 inches and flathead catfish average 28 inches in length.

The oldest fish observed was a 31-year-old flathead catfish that measured 42 inches and weighed 34 pounds.

Wabash River catfish generally remain within one mile of the location they were caught and released.

However, a blue catfish tagged and released in 2005 moved 27 miles downstream, where it was recaptured in 2007. Anglers have recaptured about 5 percent of the catfish tagged by biologists.

If anglers catch a catfish with a green tag near the dorsal fin, they are asked to send the tag in for a reward to the Big Rivers Fisheries Program, Sugar Ridge FWA, 2310 E. SR 364, Winslow, IN  47598. The reward is a camouflage baseball cap that says "Wabash River Fisheries Research."

Lakes Get More Protection (8-25-2007)

As summer draws to a close and recreational activity on Indiana's public freshwater lakes begins to dwindle, many lakefront property owners may consider landscaping projects along the lake's shore.

Indiana requires a biologist check many types of shoreline work on public freshwater lakes because some types of lakeside work degrade water quality or destroy fish and wildlife habitat.

If you are considering a project on or near the shoreline of a public freshwater lake, and are not sure if you need a shoreline construction permit, contact the DNR Division of Water at (877) 928-3755, or e-mail water_inquiry@dnr.IN.gov.

Brookville Tailwater To Get Brown Trout  (5-10-07)

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is sponsoring a community trout stocking at Brookville on May 15 at 2 p.m.

The DNR will be trucking in 2,600 9-inch brown trout provided by the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery near Jamestown, Ky. Brookville Lake is eligible to receive federal fish because it is a federal flood control project.

The fish will be released into the East Fork of the Whitewater River below Brookville Lake. The public is invited to attend and assist in stocking the fish.

A two-mile stretch of the East Fork of the Whitewater River below the 5,260-acre reservoir at the edge of Brookville in Franklin County has provided Indiana anglers with rainbow trout fishing for more than 30 years.

The DNR stocks 1,500 rainbow trout into the river each spring. Most of these fish are harvested in the first weeks following the opening of the trout season on the last Saturday in April.

In 2000, the Central Indiana Chapter of Trout Unlimited led an effort to partner with the DNR in developing the tailwater into a trout fishing destination.

With assistance from several other conservation groups and businesses, the chapter has purchased brown trout annually and released them into the cool waters below the reservoir under stocking permits issued by DNR.

Trout anglers must have a valid fishing license and trout/salmon stamp. The daily bag limit from Brookville Lake's tailwaters is five trout, of which no more than one may be a brown trout. Brown trout must be at least 18 inches long to be possessed. The minimum size limit on rainbow trout is 7 inches.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering farmers and landowners a monetary incentive for enrolling idle farmland in federal land retirement programs.

In the early 1960s and '70s, pheasant and bobwhite quail were abundant in Indiana. With nearly four million acres of Hoosier farmland set-aside in U.S. Department of Agriculture land retirement programs, these idle fields provided undisturbed nesting and brood-rearing habitat for pheasant and quail alike.

Today, only slightly more than 250,000 acres of cropland are being idled in USDA programs across the state. As a result, Indiana has lost more than 93 percent of its idle nesting and brood-rearing cover.

The loss of idled farmland acres, changes in farming practices, and the widespread use of tall fescue have led to significant declines in pheasant, bobwhite quail, and grassland songbird populations.

To help address population declines the DNR has developed habitat priority areas to focus efforts in developing, enhancing, and maintaining habitat for pheasants and quail. Landowners within selected habitat priority counties and townships will be eligible to apply for a one-time signing incentive for enrollment in the USDA's CRP-CP33, Habitat Buffers for Upland Birds.

The signing incentive can be up to 120 percent of the average soil rental rate and is in addition to any signing incentive payments provided by USDA.

Interested landowners can take advantage of this limited time offer by calling the appropriate priority area biologist to discuss habitat management on their property. The biologist will prepare a management plan for each acceptable parcel and determine the total amount of incentive payments the landowner may be eligible to receive.

To be eligible for the incentive payments, a priority area biologist must approve the habitat practice or practice enrollment prior to implementation. Payments will be made after the work has been completed and inspected by the priority area biologist or their designated representative.

A detailed map of pheasant priority areas is available on the World Wide Web at: www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/hunt/phhabitat.pdf and a detailed map of quail priority areas can be found at: www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/hunt/quailhab.pdf

Pheasant Priority Areas are:

All of Newton, Jasper, and Benton Counties; Warren County - Prairie Twp. Contact: Bob Porch, Phone: (219) 285-2704;
Tippecanoe County - N of Hwy 52 and W of I-65, and S of Wabash and SR 26 and W of I-65; Montgomery County - N of I-74; Fountain County - N of I-74 and E of Hwy 41. Contact: Dean Zimmerman, Phone: (765) 567-2152; 

Fulton County, Contact: Tom Hewitt, Phone: (765) 473-9324.

Dekalb County - Fairfield Twp; Noble County - Wayne Twp; LaGrange County - Milford Twp; Steuben County - Salem Twp. Contact: Al Van Hoey, Phone: (260) 367-2186;

Starke County - California Twp, Contact: Mike Schoof, Phone: (574) 896-3522;

Porter County - S of SR 8, Marshall County - E of US 31 & S of US 30. Contact: Linda Byer, Phone: (574) 896-3572;

Clinton County - Washington and Perry Twp. Contact: Rick Peercy, Phone: (317) 591-0904;

LaPorte Co.- Washington, Union, Lincoln, and Johnson Twps, Contact: Ron Lorman,
Phone: (219) 393-3612.

Quail Priority Areas are:

Putnam County - Marion, Jefferson, and Cloverdale (East of US 231) Twps; Morgan County - Ashland, Ray, Baker, Jefferson, Washington, and Jackson Twps. Contact: Josh Griffin, Phone: (812) 526-4891.

Sullivan County, Contact: Roger Stonebraker, Phone: (812) 268-0300.

Lawrence County -Pleasant Run, Shawswick, Bono, and Guthrie Twps; Jackson County -Salt Creek and Owen Twp. Contact: Bloomington Field Office, Phone: (812) 334-1137.

Ripley County - North of US 50, Contact: Ed Guljas, Phone: (812) 346-6888.

Scott County, Contact: Chris Grauel, Phone: (812) 352-8486.

Greene County - Taylor Twp, Contact: Bob Montgomery, Phone: (812) 644-7382.

Warrick County - Lane, Owen, Pigeon, and Skelton Twps, Contact: Jeff Thompson Phone: (812) 789-2724.

Harrison County - South of I-64, Contact: Mark Bennett, Phone: (812) 849-4586.