Back-to-back record years for Indiana deer hunters and unchanged regulations give Department of Natural Resources (DNR) deer management biologist Chad Stewart reason to believe hunters are in for another banner year in 2010.

“I’m anticipating another top-five all-time harvest,” Stewart said. “I would not be surprised if we exceeded 130,000 total deer or achieved a new record.”

In 2009, hunters bagged a record 132,752 deer – 3,000 more than the previous high mark set in 2008. Although hunters have had the opportunity to pursue deer in the urban zone season since Sept. 15 and during the youth two-day season Sept. 25-26, deer hunting began in earnest when the early archery season opened statewide Oct. 1.

“I’m anticipating a successful early archery season due to the early corn harvest,” Stewart said.

The early archery season extends through Nov. 28. During the season, a hunter can take two deer – either an antlered and antlerless deer, or two antlerless deer – but a separate license is required for each deer taken. The early archery season accounted for 21 percent of the total harvest in 2009, or 27,818 deer.
Archery hunters may also purchase bonus antlerless permits designed to target female deer as a fundamental approach to controlling whitetail deer populations. In addition to the basic bag limits, hunters can use bonus permits in any county.

There is no statewide limit, but quotas are assigned to each county, ranging from A to 8. Go to www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-Bonus_Antlerless_Map.pdf to find a map showing bonus antlerless quotas by county. Bonus antlerless licenses may not be used in an “A” county prior to Nov. 25.

Many Indiana DNR properties, such as Fish and Wildlife Areas, state forests, recreation areas and reservoirs, do not allow use of bonus antlerless licenses. The properties usually receive sufficient hunting pressure to keep deer populations in check and do not require additional harvest of deer.

Contact the property manager where you plan to hunt, for information.

Hunters and homebodies
can help feed the hungry

Nearly 118,000 Hoosiers receive emergency food assistance each week from a food pantry, soup kitchen or other agency served through the food banks of the state food bank association, Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc.

Hunters and non-hunters can help do their part in feeding the hungry by supporting the Sportsman’s Benevolence Fund (SBF). State legislators established the DNR-managed fund in 2008 as a way of providing financial support to meat processors accepting hunter-donated deer.

The donated venison is processed and packaged, and the ground venison is distributed to food banks around the state.
Hunters donated 1,100 deer last year to affiliated programs such as Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry – http://fhfh.org – for an estimated 55,000 pounds of venison, or enough for 220,000 quarter-pound servings of high-protein, low-fat meat.
The FHFH has organized nearly 50 participating meat processors, and a list can be found online at www.IN.gov/dnr/fishwild/6205.htm
There are three ways to contribute to the SBF: purchase a $5 SBF commemorative pin; make a voluntary $1 contribution when purchasing fishing, hunting or trapping licenses; or donate online at www.sbf.IN.gov

For a limited time, anyone purchasing a 2010 commemorative pin will receive a 2009 pin at no extra charge.

Youth rabbit and squirrel hunt at Salamonie Reservoir
A youth rabbit and a youth squirrel hunt will be held at the Salamonie Reservoir on Oct. 30. The event will start at the property’s visitors center at 7 a.m.

Hunters between the ages of 11-17 will have a choice between participating in either the rabbit hunt or the squirrel hunt. Hunters will be in the field until noon. A short wildlife-cleaning instructional session will be available after the morning hunt.

Salamonie Reservoir, Indiana Beaglers Alliance, the National Cur and Feist Breeders Assoc. and the National Kennel Club will serve as hosts.

All youth participants are encouraged to have attended and passed a Hunter Education course; however, youth must have either a valid Indiana Youth Hunting License or Apprentice License to participate.
Information regarding upcoming Hunter Education courses is available at www.in.gov/dnr/lawenfor/4812.htm

Participants must register in advance by calling Jack Hyden at 574-551-4067 by Oct. 22. Adults wishing to volunteer as dog handlers or mentors must register in advance at the same phone number. Youth are encouraged to bring their own shotguns, but shotguns will be provided for youth who do not have their own.

Young hunters will have one private mentor each who will supervise and assist during the hunt. Parents are also encouraged to accompany the youth, but it is not mandatory.

A lunch will be provided after the morning hunt for all youth, mentors and dog handlers. The event and meals are free for all who attend.

Youth Hunting Licenses are $7 and will be available at the Salamonie Visitor Center the day of the hunt. Licenses are also available online at www.in.gov/ai/appfiles/dnr-license

Kayak into nature
Bring your kayak or canoe and join a naturalist for a tour on Patoka Reservoir on Oct. 23 at 9:30 a.m. at the Little Patoka Boat Ramp. You may also meet the naturalist at the Patoka Lake Visitor Center, to car caravan to the boat ramp. The car caravan will leave at 8:30 a.m.

Participants can enjoy a morning on the waters of Patoka Reservoir as they check out a beautiful rock quarry and look for beaver, bald eagles and other wildlife along the way. Bring preferred refreshments and sunscreen for the two-hour journey.

The entrance fee of $5 per vehicle for Indiana residents ($7 for out-of-state) is required for the Newton Stewart State Recreation Area, Patoka Reservoir, located north of Wickliffe Indiana on Highway 164.

For more information regarding the program, kayak rentals or other interpretive events, call the Visitors Center at 812-685-2447.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Jack Spaulding may contact him by e-mail at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.