Volunteers are needed to help clean up the Monroe Lake shoreline Sept. 8. Monroe Lake naturalist Jill Vance said the goal is to make the shoreline attractive to both wildlife and people again, after heavy seasonal use.

“A summer of fun and recreation at Monroe Lake creates more than memories,” Vance pointed out. “It also results in a lot of trash.”

Individuals wanting to participate must register by Aug. 30 with Dana Wilkinson at 812-349-2960 or dwilkin son@co.monroe.in.us – registration is limited to the first 100 volunteering.

Check-in for participants will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the Cutright State Recreation Area boat ramp at the south end of the State Road 446 causeway. Cleanup will begin at 3 and end with a “thank you” cookout at 7. Gloves, trash bags, and snacks will be provided, but volunteers should bring their own water bottles and wear closed-toe shoes for safety.

Volunteers must be at least 10 years old. Any individuals under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, or participate with a group with an official leader (such as Boy or Girl scouts). Adults must sign a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) volunteer agreement during check-in.

Some volunteers will be placed on foot crews, but most will be transported by boat to more isolated shoreline areas.

Monroe County Stormwater Program, Indiana State Parks & Reservoirs, Hoosier National Forest and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are sponsoring the cleanup.  Monroe Lake is at 4850 S. State Rd. 446, Bloomington, IN 47401, for GPS locating.

Learning deer hunting basics

Registration is open for a free DNR program to help teach participants how to hunt whitetail deer in Indiana. “Hunt, Fish, Eat” will take place Aug. 20 in Indianapolis and Sept. 5 in Fort Wayne. The program is a four-session series, with an optional fifth session. Sessions are once a week and offer hands-on learning in a safe environment.

“Hunt, Fish, Eat” is an opportunity for new hunters ages 18 and older to improve their self-reliance skills and learn to harvest a delicious source of fresh, local meat. Curriculum will focus on laws and regulations, firearms and safety, locating a hunting spot, tracking and field dressing your harvest and handling and preparing your venison for the table.

Each session will include an opportunity to sample venison recipes from instructors, as well as to examine a variety of hunting gear and resources. Participants should attend all sessions. Equipment will be provided. For more information and to register, go to www.dnr.IN.gov/fishwild/7548.htm

A promotional video is available online at http://youtu.be/nb7GVIidKRg

A drawing for the Reynolds Creek Game Bird Habitat Area’s archery deer hunt will be held at the Kingsbury Fish & Wildlife Area office at 10 a.m. CDT Aug. 31. To be eligible, hunters must present their 2013 deer license, after which they’ll receive a numbered badge.

A computer-generated random draw will select hunters for choice of hunt period. Hunters will be drawn individually.

There will be five hunters chosen for each hunt period. If drawn, a hunter will be given a special permit card with the hunt period selected. Hunters drawn may relinquish their hunting opportunity to a youth hunter 17 years old or younger. There are no drawings for stand-by hunters.

Deer hunting at Reynolds Creek is archery only. Tree stands may not be left on the property overnight. Urban deer licenses or bonus county licenses are not permitted.

Hunt periods are Oct. 1-6, 7-13, 14-20 and 21-27; Oct. 28-Nov. 3; Nov. 4-10, 11-17 and 18-24; Nov. 25-Dec. 1; Dec. 2-8, 9-15, 16-22 and 23-29; and Dec. 30-Jan. 5, 2014. Kingsbury is located at 5344 S. Hupp Rd., La Porte, IN 46350.

Open a can of corn; whip up your favorite dough ball recipe; and get your tackle ready! Ouabache State Park will host a carp-catching contest Aug. 17. Registration for the DNR-sponsored carp-athon begins at 8 a.m. at the boat house on Kunkel Lake.

Anglers should bring their own poles or call ahead to borrow one. The contest will be 8:30-11 a.m. Prizes will be awarded for most carp caught and longest carp.

The standard entrance fee of $5 per in-state vehicle and $7 per out-of-state vehicle will be in effect. Ouabache State Park is located at 4930 E. State Rd. 201, Bluffton, IN 46714.

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 may contact Jack Spaulding by email at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.