Deer hunters in Indiana will soon be offering a helping hand in putting food on the tables of Hoosiers in need through the DNR Division of Law Enforcement’s Sportsman’s Benevolence Fund. The fund makes it possible for hunters to donate venison through a participating butcher by paying the processing fee, and Conservation Officer Lt. Colonel Steve Hunter said the program provides an opportunity for hunters to demonstrate concern for their fellow man.
Chad Stewart, deer research biologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, explained that the deer breeding season is approaching which increases migration.
It’s the time of the year when people love to get in the water, visiting local pools, lakes and reservoirs for recreational water activities. The Indiana Department of Child Services and the Department of Natural Resources are reminding parents and guardians to ensure they keep an eye on children playing in or near bodies of water.
In 2011, 11 Hoosier children drowned, and Mary Beth Bonaventura, director of the IDCS, said lack of supervision is mostly to blame. Children, she said, don’t usually have an awareness of the risks around water, and it’s up to adults to supervise them and ensure their safety.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources reminds you to stay safe and in compliance this boating season.
All motorboat operators must have a valid driver’s license to operate on all Indiana public waters. Any person who is at least 15 years old may operate a motorboat if a boater education course is successfully completed and approved by the DNR.
This week is National Safe Boating Week, and throughout the boating season, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the National Safe Boating Council remind boaters to strap on those life jackets and be alert and ware while out on the water. Approximately 700 people drown in the United States each year from recreational boating accidents, the vast majority of which could have been spared their fate by simply wearing a life jacket.
Several new changes have been put forward this year regarding hunting regulations. Conservation Officer Keith Wildeman says a new law has been enacted concerning hunting out of ground blinds.
“If you’re in a ground blind when hunter orange is required, you need to have a minimum of 144 square inches visible from all sides on a ground blind. That’s just one square foot visible from all sides and this is mainly during the firearms muzzleloader season when you’re required to wear hunter orange,” stated Wildeman.
If you are hunting out of an elevated blind, hunter orange is not required on your blind, but you must still wear hunter orange.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is offering a Hunter Education Class to assist participants in receiving their Indiana Hunter Education Certification.
Indiana Conservation Officers will be holding the class on Saturday, Sept. 22 and 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT at Kankakee FWA Headquarters, located at 4320 W. Toto Rd, North Judson. There is no fee for this course.
Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive their certification, which is required for any hunters born after Dec. 31, 1986.
Students are asked to preregister for the course by calling District 10 Law Enforcement Headquarters at (219) 879-5710. Attendance both days is mandatory for the certification, and children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Participants are encouraged to bring a sack lunch.
Starke County will be getting a new conservation officer.
The Indiana DNR Division of Law Enforcement held graduation ceremonies Friday in which Zachary Howerton of Marengo was assigned to the Starke County area. Nine other officers were also assigned to several conservation officer positions throughout the state.
Howerton underwent five weeks of initial training followed by 12 weeks of on-the-job training in the field with a veteran conservation officer. Training continues with a 15-week course at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy after which Howerton will report to his assignment to complete a one-year probationary period.
This summer’s chronic hot and dry weather has not only resulted in drought conditions throughout most of Indiana, it has also prompted a call for high-capacity water facilities in 32 counties to implement voluntary water conservation measures.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security have announced plans to send notification letters to owners and operators of facilities in several counties with the capacity to withdraw 100,000 gallons or more per day.
The eradication of Eurasian watermilfoil and curlyleaf pondweed in the Koontz Lake will begin on Tuesday, April 17th.
The Koontz Lake Association and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources River Enhancement Program will be conducting a whole lake treatment for control with EPA approved Sonar Herbicide. Other treatments will be completed within 90-120 days following tomorrow’s treatment.
A Plymouth man is dead after a police pursuit in Marshall County.
Last night around 8:30 p.m. ET, an officer with the Argos Police Department attempted a traffic stop in the area of Michigan Road, north of Argos, and the driver did not stop. The officer was attempting to pull over the truck after the driver committed a traffic infraction. The officer pursued the truck, driven by Mark Albright, 62, of Plymouth.
The Culver Police Department is investigating an armed robbery incident at the Family Dollar store at 18701 State Road 10 in Culver.
On Saturday evening around 8:40 p.m. ET, a male subject entered the store and approached a cashier, displayed a weapon and bag and then demanded money at gunpoint. Employees followed the demands and an undisclosed amount of money was taken from the business. No one was injured.
This weekend, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources invites you to fish for free! This Saturday and Sunday, you can fish without a state fishing license at all Indiana Lakes.
“Indiana residents that normally would be required to purchase a fishing license are exempt from buying that license for these two days only,” explained Conservation Officer, Keith Wildeman. “All other regulations, bag limits and size limits, do apply. If you continue from there, a resident fishing license is only $17.00. A license is required for anyone once they turn 18. Kids 17 and younger are exempt.”
