Women with an interest in learning outdoors skills, take note: A few openings still remain for the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) workshop May 1-3.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) workshop offers women a relaxed, noncompetitive environment conducive for learning outdoor skills in a workshop designed just for women.
The workshop will be at Ross Camp in West Lafayette. The cost, including four classes, lodging and meals, is $175, and the workshop is limited to 150 women. Individuals can register at www.bow.IN.gov or by calling Danielle Shrake at 317-232-4194.
Classes include:

•ATV use and safety – Learn basic all terrain vehicle safety and riding techniques
•Canoeing – Learn the skills to paddle a canoe through calm or rough waters
•Backyard wildlife – Learn the basic habitat needs of wildlife and how to equip your backyard
•Overnight  backpacking – Learn what to take along, and what to leave behind
•Personal safety – Don’t be afraid to walk alone on your favorite trail again
•Birding – Learn the basic skills of watching birds
•Basic rifle/handgun – Learn and practice basic positions for shooting rifles and handguns
•Wild edibles and wildflowers – Identify plants and flowers and discovering their many uses
•Fish and game cleaning – Acquire basic techniques for field dressing fish and game
•Basic camping – Learn the basics necessary for a downright delightful camping experience
•Tree ID – Learn about trees in Indiana and how to identify them
•Survival 101 – An exploration of basic skills needed to survive in an outdoor emergency
•Upland gamebird hunting/dog handling – Learn the skills necessary to hunt upland birds
•Basic shotgun – Learn and practice basic shotgun techniques
•Firearms safety – An introduction to different types of firearms and the basics of firearm safety
•Intro to deer hunting – Learn the basics of deer hunting regulations, deer hunting equipment, selecting proper places to hunt, deer behavior, what to do after you shoot a deer and more
•Outdoor cooking – Learn different outdoor cooking techniques
•Basic fishing – Get started in fishing; learn how to care for and use fishing equipment
•Fly fishing I and II – Fly-casting for the student with little or no knowledge of fishing
•Fly tying – Learn the basic tools, materials, and techniques to tie your own flies
•From stick to staff – Create your own useful and attractive hiking staff
•Archery – Learn how to select bows, arrows and other archery equipment
•Outdoor photography – Covers tricks and techniques for capturing nature in your photographs
•Gun care and cleaning – Learn to clean, store and care for shotguns, rifles and handguns
•Trapping and fur craft – Learn trapping skills, how to tan hides, and how to make a fur hat
•Orient yourself outdoors – Learn orienteering with a map and compass as navigational tools
•Wildlife habitat and tracking – Learn about Indiana’s diverse wildlife and where to find it

Brown County mushroom
festival this weekend

Brown County State Park will celebrate a Hoosier delicacy with its third annual morel mushroom festival, one of its most popular nature events, on May 2. The festival features guided hikes to find the elusive fungus, as well as music, an arts-and-crafts fair and children’s events. A cooking demonstration, a contest for the largest morel mushroom found in the park and a geo-cache hike will also be part of the fun.

Live Indiana birds of prey will be featured at 5 p.m., with local wildlife rehabilitation specialists from Return to the Wild. Following the bird demonstration, local rock musicians Jack Morel and the Spores will perform.

If you’re not experienced at finding morels, you’re still covered – The Friends of Brown County State Park group will sell them at the park Nature Center, starting at 1 p.m. Proceeds from the mushroom sales will benefit the park.

No fee is charged for the program; however, normal weekend gate admission fees of $5 per in-state vehicle and $7 per out-of-state vehicle will be required.

Spring Mill mushroom hunting rules of engagement

Spring Mill State Park welcomes mushroom hunters who comply with park rules. Mushroom hunters may only enter the park through the main entrance gate, and roadside parking is prohibited. Ample vehicle parking is available at 10 public lots.

Mushroom hunting is not allowed in the park’s three nature preserves, which cover roughly the southern half of the property. Park maps indicating the restricted nature preserve areas are available at the park office, which is still temporarily relocated.
Off-trail hiking is prohibited in all areas of the park. Mushroom hunters must stay on marked trails and roadways.

Spring Mill’s temporary office is a gray trailer in the first parking lot of the Gus Grissom Memorial Park. Information and mushroom hunting permits are available at the office daily, from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Anyone with questions regarding mushroom hunting or the temporary office location can call 812-849-4129 for more information.