Author: Ben Indawoods

Q – I hear a lot about wild boar in some surrounding states; do we have wild boar in Indiana?
A – Yes, and the wild hogs are posing an environmental threat in Indiana. By following the law we can help control them.

In order to help control and reduce environmentally destructive wild hog populations

Summer day camp for kids at Salamonie Lake
(Salamonie Lake is holding a second summertime day camp for children ages 7-11)

“Wetland Wanderings” day camp will be held August 3-5. Campers will be studying wetland plants and animals with hands-on activities. The camp runs from 9:30 a.m. –

Improved Outdoor Recreation Forms Available
Anyone whose job involves parks or recreation and has had to fill out complicated state government forms should rejoice. The form necessary to complete in order to have information included in the SCORP (Strategic Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan)

Youth Day at the Range in J. Edward Roush Fish & Wildlife Area

(Huntington Reservoir)

This year’s Youth Day at the Range at J. Edward Roush Fish & Wildlife Area is June 19 from 9 a.m. to noon. The day includes basic gun safety, shotguns and clay targets, rifle shooting, an archery demonstration,

DAY CAMPS FOR CHILDREN AT SALAMONIE LAKE AND OUABACHE STATE PARKS

Ouabache State Park kicks off the summer fun with a “Wetland Wanderings” day camp, June 14-16. Campers will study wetland plants and animals with exciting, hands-on activities. Activities include arts and crafts, a canoeing

WELCOME BACK to the 2011 Great Outdoors at Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs!

The temperature’s rising, the fish are biting and the wildflowers along our hiking trails signal that we’re ready for you to enjoy a wide array of outdoor activities at our 24 state parks and eight reservoirs.

FREE CD AVAILABLE ON CONTROLLING NUISANCE WATERFOWL

If unwelcome Canada geese or other waterfowl are creating conflicts in your yard, pond or parking lot, the DNR is offering answers in the form of a free CD containing a 40-minute webinar on the subject.

Spring is a time of nest building for geese and

CHAIN O’LAKES
SPRING TRAIL CLEANUP 

It’s spring cleaning time. Come help Chain O’Lakes State Park with its annual spring clean-up hike on Saturday, April 23. After leaving from the nature center, participants will be clearing trails, marking areas that need to be trimmed with

BASS FISHING RULE TO BE RELAXED AT TWO NOBLE COUNTY LAKES
Beginning June 3, the Indiana DNR will modify largemouth bass fishing regulations at Big and Crane lakes in Noble County. To reduce the number of largemouth bass, anglers will be allowed to keep only bass that measure between 10 and 14

Outdoor Indiana magazine springs up

The March-April issue readies you for spring with a guide to wildflowers. Check out the “Seven Heavenly Inns” feature to help decide which state park inns fit your getaway plans. The issue’s removable insert features Charlestown State Park on the

DEER CROSSING HIGHWAYS
– POTENTIAL FATAL MIX

“I read with interest your article a few issues back about coyotes in our neighborhood. Thank goodness I have not seen coyotes in our yard. But for the first time in recent memory, we have seen deer in our yard. There are four of them and they appear

I’ve gotten a few questions concerning keeping wild animals as pets. Not knowing the law or even how to answer the question (I used to have wild pets when I was growing up like every other kid in school.) I turned to a copy of Outdoor Indiana for the answer.
Q – Every time we go on a hike,

Improving DNR reservation system requires February interruption

Improving the DNR’s reservation system for camping, cabins, recreation buildings and shelters will require a system interruption starting February 8 at 12:01 a.m. The improved system will be available February 28 at noon.

During the

New Deer Rules
Get Preliminary Approval
The Indiana Natural Resources Commission recently approved preliminary adoption of recommended rule changes for deer hunting. Components of the proposed changes include modification of the season structure, bag limits, hunting equipment, and licensing

Willow Slough fishing regulations temporarily relaxed
Fishing regulations designed to promote quality bluegill fishing at Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area’s J.C. Murphey Lake will be temporarily relaxed starting December 15. The change addresses the 1,000-acre Newton County lake’s unusually

RESERVATION CALL CENTER NOW OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Campers and picnickers who want to reserve a campsite, picnic shelter, recreation building or cabin at DNR state parks or reservoirs, (Starve Hollow State Forest or Deam Lake State Recreation Area) will be able to take advantage of phone reservation service

ANNUAL ENTRANCE PASSES

FOR 2011 AVAILABLE

Indiana state park/reservoir annual entrance permits for 2011 are now available for online purchase. Individuals may order an annual entrance permit, which costs $36 for state residents, by going to InnsGifts.com.

CODES

“You have to have a code to live by and something to believe in.”

Bruce F. McCune 1891 – 1977

CONSERVATION PLEDGE

(What people higher up are missing.)

I give my pledge as an American to save and faithfully to defend from waste the natural resources of my country – it soil and minerals,

Festival of Freezing Moon, Summit Lake State Park, October 22-23

The fourth annual Festival of the Freezing Moon will be held at Summit Lake State Park, October 22-23. This year’s festival features the annual Campsite Decorating Contest, Chili Cook-Off, and Pumpkin Carving contests. Pumpkins will

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 Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Programs administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These programs collect excise taxes on

WATER ACTIVITIES ABOUND

Free Hoosier Outdoor Experience

Sept. 18-19

Water activities at the free Hoosier Outdoor Experience, September 18-19, at Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis will run the gamut. Those interested in kayak and canoe paddling, operating remote-controlled boats, learning about

SALAMONIE’S SENIOR CITIZEN

FALL FEST

OUABACHE’S FALL FESTIVAL

(NOTE: Ouabache is pronounced Wa-Bash)

Volunteers age 16 and older are needed to assist with Ouabache State Park’s Fall Festival Weekend, October 29-30.

Ouabache’s Fall Festival is an opportunity for families to enjoy the fall weather and participate in a variety of events

DNR TO ERECT BARRIER TO

BLOCK ASIAN CARP

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources will implement a short-term step to address the advance of Asian carp up the Wabash River system and their potential movement into the Maumee River, a tributary to Lake Erie.

The focal point is Eagle Marsh, a 705-acre