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Versailles leads state parks in reduction hunt deer kills

It seems only yesterday, but it was years ago when the first deer control hunt was proposed at Brown County State Park. Opposition to the hunt was ugly, as animal rights protesters bused in from near and far and marched with signs portraying Indiana’s biologist and game management practices as concurrent with the agendas of the Nazi Party.

Thank the good Lord sound management practices back then prevailed, and Indiana has again enjoyed another successful year for state park deer hunts. Volunteer hunters helped the effort to restore habitat during the recent controlled hunts at 17 Indiana state parks, by taking a total of 1,334 deer.

The reduction hunts took place Nov. 16-17 and Nov. 30-Dec. 1 at Chain O’Lakes, Charlestown, Harmonie, Lincoln, Ouabache, Pokagon, Potato Creek, Prophetstown, Shades, Shakamak, Spring Mill, Tippecanoe River, Turkey Run, Versailles, Whitewater Memorial, Fort Harrison and Clifty Falls.

Versailles had the highest number of deer taken in the special hunts, with 202, followed by Potato Creek with 186, Charlestown with 133, Tippecanoe River with 119 and Harmonie at 111.
DNR biologists evaluate which parks require a deer hunt reduction each year, based on the recovery of vegetation the deer eat and previous harvest information at each park.

The state parks are home to many unique natural communities and rare plants. The controlled hunts help reduce browsing by deer to a level which maintains ecosystems and associated vegetation recovery.

“In spite of poor weather during the first reduction and expanses of standing corn adjacent to many parks, our effort in 2009 was successful in maintaining the comfortable trend we’ve seen in recent years,” said Mike Mycroft, chief of natural resources for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of State Parks and Reservoirs.

“Though hunters aren’t taking as many deer as they once were, that’s a good sign for the vegetation. The reductions are about managing habitat.”

Not all of Indiana’s state parks require a reduction hunt every year. Approximately one-third of the parks have achieved maintenance status since the program began, and regularly take a year off from reductions.

Waterfowl hunters should wear lifejackets in winter

Waterfowl hunters throughout Indiana are being reminded by conservation officers a lifejacket will not work unless it is being worn.

“Our ‘Wear It’ campaign to promote lifejacket use is not just for the warm-weather months,” said Michael Crider, director of the DNR Law Enforcement Division.

“Under stressful conditions, there is just not enough time to put on a lifejacket, and with the frigid water pulling every ounce of warmth from your body, it won’t take long until you won’t be able to swim anymore.”

Crider said there are reasonably priced inflatable life vests offered by a number of manufacturers, which are comfortable and non-restricting, with most available in camouflage. Prices range from $50-$150.

Individuals who want a device offering more protection from the elements, yet still acting as a lifejacket, need look no further than a float coat or jacket, which are available in camouflage. Prices are around $150.

Float coats and inflatable vests may be purchased through your favorite sporting goods store or catalog retailer and would be a great Christmas gift for a waterfowl hunter.

Waterfowl hunters need to remember that Indiana law requires one United States Coast Guard-approved wearable lifejacket per person in any boat, and boats more than 16 feet in length should have at least one throwable lifesaving device on board.

Roush Lake to reduce shooting range hours

Roush Lake shooting range will reduce its hours this winter, during slow times and when temperatures plunge. The reduced hours will save labor, utility and snow removal costs, while continuing to provide services at the times visitors have historically frequented the range. Plans are to revert to original hours around March 1, 2010, or when the weather moderates.

The Roush Lake facility opened in August 2005. Visitation has increased each year since. More than 50,000 people have used the state-of-the-art range since it opened.

Roush had an exceptionally good spring, summer and fall in 2009. Visitor usage increased 15-20 percent. In previous years, range usage has slowed during the winter months. The facility has closed in the past when temperatures dropped below 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

From the time the range opened, it has operated under a schedule of being closed on Mondays. Monday closures will continue this winter, but the range will also be closed on Tuesdays.

Wednesday through Friday, range hours will be 11 a.m.-4 p.m. instead of 9 a.m.-4 p.m. On weekends, hours will not change, and the range will be open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Winter hours will be in effect through February 2010. The property manager will continue to close the range each day temperatures drop below 25 degrees.
For additional information about the shooting range or other facilities at Roush Lake, visit www.dnr.IN.gov/parklake

Economy delays repair of Greensburg Dam

Repair of the dam at the Greensburg Public Fishing Area near Greensburg, which was drawn down by the DNR for public safety purposes in early August, will be delayed until sufficient funding is available to complete the project.

The DNR originally closed the facility after heavy rains damaged the dam. The lake level was lowered to evaluate the condition of the levees, dam and spillway. However, the extent of the damage required a complete draining.

“This is a popular fishing spot for the area, but public safety trumps everything else,” said Tom Hohman, director of the DNR Division of Engineering. “We were hoping to get this finished by next summer, but right now, because of the economy, the funding does not exist to do that.”

Design work is still under way for rehabilitation and upgrade of the dam to fully meet current safety standards. Shortfalls in state tax revenues have made it necessary for the state to postpone all but the most critical construction projects.

Plans are to complete the design, but delay construction until tax revenues rise enough to allow such projects to again move forward. Preliminary estimates suggest the construction for the improvements will cost approximately $2.2 million.

Greensburg Public Fishing Area is a 23-acre impoundment located approximately one mile west of Greensburg in Decatur County. The DNR purchased the reservoir in 1961 and developed it as a public fishing area.

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.

12/23/2009