Hoosiers may take advantage of several new hunting and trapping licenses that went into effect July 1.

Non-resident youth under age 18 can now purchase a youth annual hunting license and a youth annual trapping license for $17 each. Non-resident youth must purchase additional tags to hunt deer and turkey. Non-resident youth deer tags are $24 and turkey tags are $25.

To qualify for a non-resident youth hunting license, youths must be under age 18 on the date they purchase the license. It is acceptable for an 18-year-old to hunt on a youth license if they bought the license while they were still 17.

Hunter education is required for a youth to obtain a license, unless the non-resident youth purchases an apprentice license. Apprentice licenses are available for all hunting licenses. An individual can purchase no more than three apprentice licenses in his/her lifetime.
A non-resident youth who is younger than 18 and has a parent, grandparent or legal guardian who is a resident of Indiana may purchase the resident youth consolidated hunting and trapping license for $7.

Resident and non-resident youth under age 18 no longer need a fishing license to fish Indiana public waters. Previously, youth 16 and under did not need a fishing license.

Resident youth consolidated hunting license now includes trapping; the price remains $7. Resident youth consolidated hunting licenses cover hunting and trapping for all species, as well as state waterfowl and game bird habitat stamps privileges.

In response to the many requests the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received from seniors for an opportunity to continue contributing financially to the improvement of fish and wildlife in Indiana, those concerned sportsmen may now purchase a voluntary senior annual fishing license.

Residents born before March 31, 1943, are not required to have a fishing license, but if exempt anglers want to purchase a fishing license for $3 to help fund the DNR divisions of fish and wildlife and law enforcement, they may do so.

The new licenses will be available on the DNR’s automated sport licensing system and at license retailers. To purchase licenses online, go to www.IndianaOutdoor.IN.gov

Protect hunting on federal lands by contacting Congress
Companion bills, introduced June 28 in Congress, protect the rights of sportsmen to hunt on federal land while also recognizing hunting’s importance to all conservation.

The Hunting Heritage Protection Act is made up of Senate Bill 1348, sponsored by Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) and House Resolution 3046, sponsored by Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.).

Both pieces of legislation require federal land be managed in a way to support, promote and enhance access for hunting and mandates an annual report be submitted to Congress detailing any limitations imposed on hunting federal lands. It also will require a written notification be given to Congress prior to any agency action limiting hunting on large parcels of federal land consisting of 5,000 or more acres.

“Sportsmen across America owe Senator Chambliss, Representative Rehberg and other members of Congress many thanks for the steps they are taking to preserve our hunting rights,” stated U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) President and CEO Bud Pidgeon. “In a time where access to suitable hunting land is becoming increasingly difficult, this legislation goes a long way towards curtailing that trend and guaranteeing current or increased hunting opportunities are available today and tomorrow.”

Sportsmen should contact their Congressional elected officials and ask them to support the Hunting Heritage Protection Act. Sportsmen should also tell their officials that hunters and other sportsmen and sportswomen are great stewards of federal lands and should have full access to those lands whenever and wherever possible.

To find your Congressional officials, go to the www.ussportsmen.org website and click on the “Legislative Action Center.”

The USSA is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations dedicated to protecting the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs.

For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call 614-888-4868 or visit its website.

Attention, Hoosier outdoor cooks and future camp chefs!

Campfire Dutch oven cooks will have a chance to show their stuff, as the 2009 Cooking Classes and Cook-off are in full swing at the Upper Wabash Reservoirs.

Sign up soon to learn, or compete at Mississinewa Lake on July 11 or at Salamonie Lake on Aug. 1. The contest is sponsored by Bozarth Country Store.

The first-place winners of each property will compete in the Oct. 24 Champion Cook-Off at J. Edward Roush Lake. The events are open to both campers and day visitors.

Marvin McNew, director of the Upper Wabash Interpretive Services, said, “I’ve always been amazed at how people can make wonderful meals with the simple tools of charcoal and cast iron.”

For campfire cooks looking to pick up a few extra pointers, there will be an Outdoor Cooking Class from 1-2 p.m. July 11 and Aug. 1, at the Campground Program Shelter (at Mississinewa, Miami SRA Modern Campground; at Salamonie, Lost Bridge West Modern Campground).

The Outdoor Cook-Off will be held in the same program area from 2-5 p.m. All Cook-Off participants and teams will pay a $10 entrant fee per entry per property, supply all their own food ingredients, cooking utensils, charcoal and starter and use Dutch ovens. All foods are to be prepared on the program site.

Each entrant will plan to cook one entrée and one dessert, each being enough to allow up to eight people to sample. Judging will take place at 6 p.m., with prizes awarded after.

Each property’s first-place team will earn a Dutch oven and be eligible for the Championship Cook-Off. Entrants may register for one or both properties; however, first-place winners are not allowed to compete on more than one property. The championship winner will earn a tripod, lid lifter and other Outdoor Cooking accessories.
Property entrance fees do apply. There is a $5 daily weekend entrance fee ($7 non-resident) to enter the Upper Wabash Reservoir properties. Indiana residents may purchase an annual entrance permit for $36. Hoosiers ages 65 or older may choose to purchase the annual Golden Hoosier Passport entrance permit for $18.

Visit the website at www.dnr.IN.gov/uwis for details on special events. Or, for more information, call Upper Wabash Reservoirs Interpretive Services at 260-468-2127, or visit the Salamonie Interpretive Center.
 
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 e-mail at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.