Three free waterfowl hunting workshops for novices and beginners will be offered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at three different sites in August.

Similar material will be covered at each location, so there is no need for a beginning hunter to attend more than one. Presentation topics will include waterfowl hunting regulations, goose and duck identification, equipment and techniques. There also will be a show-and-tell segment.

Waterfowl hunting equipment, including blinds, waders, clothing, decoys and gadgets, will be displayed and discussed. DNR law enforcement and Fish & Wildlife personnel will be available to answer questions, and lunch will be provided.

All ages are welcome, but advance registration is required. Parents who already hunt waterfowl are welcome to bring children, but the material is tailored for beginners. Experienced waterfowl hunters are unlikely to learn much.

Each workshop will occur at least partially outdoors and take place rain or shine. Participants should consider bringing a lawn chair and a jacket or raincoat.

One workshop will be at Glenns Valley Conservation Club Aug. 10, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and will cover duck and goose hunting. The address is 7115 Waverly Rd., Martinsville, IN 46151. For more information, call Josh Griffin at 812-526-8475. To register, call 765-349-2060 or email sbarnett@morgancounty.IN.gov

Also on Aug. 10, a workshop focusing on Canada goose hunting will take place at the Kankakee Fish & Wildlife Area, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Some information on ducks will be provided, but the primary focus of the workshop will be goose hunting. The address is 4320 W. Toto Rd., North Judson, IN 46366. For more information, call Adam Phelps at 812-334-1137. To register, call 574-896-3522.

The third workshop will be Aug. 24, at the Sugar Ridge Fish & Wildlife Area from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The workshop will focus on Canada goose hunting. The address is 2310 E State Rd. 364, Winslow, IN 47598. For more information call Phelps at 812-334-1137. To register, call 812-789-2724.

The Cabela’s King Kat Tournament Trail will be Aug. 9-10 on the Ohio River at Vevay, Ind. The tournament gives the opportunity to local catfish anglers to compete for $10,000 in cash, prizes and a chance to qualify for the Cabela’s King Kat Classic, Sept. 26-28, on Kentucky Lake at Camden, Tenn.

Late registration will be held the day before competition at Best Western-Ogle Hause Inn, at 1013 W. Main St. in Vevay, from 5-7 p.m. Captains’ meeting/seminar will follow at 7 p.m. You must be a member of the King Kat Assoc. to fish the event.

A one-year membership is $25. To pre-register go online to www.kingkatusa.com or call 270-395-6774.

Legal waters for the event: From the Meldahl Lock & Dam to the McAlpine Lock & Dam. The tournament weigh-in will be held at the Paul Ogle Riverfront Park in Vevay each day. Tournament hours are 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m. each day.

All anglers must be in the weigh-in line by 4 p.m. with a five-fish limit per team. To help preserve the sport only live fish will be weighed in, and all fish will be released after the tournament.

For a complete list of rules, go online to www.kingkatusa.com

Conservation officer rescues hunting dog

An Indiana conservation officer rescued an English Blue Tick hunting dog from a 25-foot-deep crevice near Red Hill Road in Monroe County early Sunday morning, July 14.

According to Officer Ryan Jahn, the hunting dog was participating in a field trail competition when it followed a raccoon into a crevice more than 25 feet deep and less than 2 feet wide. The Blue Tick dog fell and was wedged in the crevice and unable to move or free itself.

Jahn was lowered into the crevice with a rope attached to his safety harness. Once reaching the hunting dog, he was able to free the canine and bring it back to the surface. The English Blue Tick is owned by Steve Bennett, from the Columbus area.

Jahn is a member of Indiana Conservation Officers Cave Rescue Team. The team responds to vertical rescues and confined space incidents both above and below ground throughout the state.

Monarch butterfly milkweed workshop

Learn about the monarch butterfly and ways to help conserve the species in a workshop at Ouabache State Park on July 28. The program runs from 2-4 p.m. Participants will receive milkweed seeds and a monarch caterpillar to take home.

Participants should meet at the Campview Shelter in Campground A. Advance registration is encouraged by emailing jamstutz@dnr.IN.gov and a fee of $5 per person is due upon arrival, plus the standard $5 per in-state vehicle or $7 per out-of-state vehicle will be in effect.

For more information on other Upper Wabash Interpretive Services programs, see www.dnr.IN.gov/uwis or www.facebook.com/upperwabash

Ouabache State Park is located at 4930 E. St. Rd. 201, Bluffton, IN 46714, and more information on the park is available at www.stateparks.IN.gov/2975.htm

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.