Cabela’s hosted its King Kat Tournament Aug. 9-10 on the Ohio River at Vevay, Ind. More than 80 anglers from nine states competed in the two-day $10,000 Super Event and the opportunity to qualify for the 2013 Cabela’s King Kat Classic.

Taking first place and $4,300 was the team of Scott Cress of Covington and Carl Crone of Villa Hills, Ky., weighing in a two-day five-fish total of 142.95 pounds.

Also the winners of last year’s Vevay event, they were fishing the Markland Pool in 25-50 feet of water, where fish were scattered on the bottom in the channel and on the flats. The team used skipjack and mooneyes to catch 35 fish during the course of the two-day event.

In second place and earning $2,000 were Derrick Johnson of Brookville and Terry Johnson of Connersville, Ind., with a total weight of 114.1 pounds. The Johnson team fished the Markland Pool in 35 feet of water, using mooneye and skipjack along with some shad to catch 15 fish over the two days.

Third place and $1,000 went to the Mount Orab, Ohio, team of Vic Sheppard and Chris Debow, with a two-day total weight of 105.65 pounds. They were fishing the Cincinnati area in 35-40 feet of water, drifting on Friday and anchored down on Saturday over structure using skipjack.

Jerid Potter and Josh Parker of Madison, Ind., took fourth place with a weight of 100 pounds for $700. They were fishing the Markland pool in 27-32 feet of water drifting over wood structure using cut shad to catch 10 fish in two days, including a 33.4-pounder for Big Fish of the event, for an additional $700.

Fifth place went to Don Elder of Louisville, Ky., and Brian Burnett of Scottsburg, Ind., weighing in 96 pounds and earning $500. They were fishing the Markland Pool in 45-50 feet of water in the edge of the current at the dam anchored down, using skipjack and mooneye to catch 20-35 fish over the two-day event.

The 2013 early migratory bird season dates have been submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as listed below. As in other years, the dates are not final until the FWS approves them, which typically happens by the end of August.

The DNR is also requesting changes to bag and possession limits. Under the request, migratory bird possession limits would increase from twice to three times the daily bag limit. The DNR has also asked to increase the daily bag limit for the September teal season from four to six.

The season dates and limit requests are both within the framework provided by FWS, so no changes are anticipated. A later release will notify of approval or change.

Indiana’s requested seasons have never been altered by FWS after submission; however, there is always the slight possibility of change. Therefore, the dates below should not be interpreted as being final. Licensing information is at www.hunting.IN.gov

Mourning doves: Statewide, 15-bird bag/45-bird possession limit, Sept. 1-Oct. 13 and Nov. 8-Dec. 4

Sora rails: Statewide, 25-bird bag/75-bird possession limit, Sept. 1-Nov. 9

Woodcock: Statewide, 3-bird bag/9-bird possession limit, Oct. 15-Nov. 28

Common snipe: Statewide, 8-bird bag/24-bird possession limit, Sept. 1-Dec. 16

September teal: Statewide, 6-bird bag/18-bird possession limit, blue- and green-winged teal only, Sept. 7-22

Canada geese: Statewide, 5-bird bag/15-bird possession limit, Sept. 1-15

Indiana conservation officers, the Greencastle Police Department and the Quail Forever group are jointly sponsoring a hunter education class in Putnam County. The class is the perfect opportunity to obtain your hunter education certification before the upcoming hunting season.

There are several great instructors who will be attending the class, and they are eager to teach you about the safety of the outdoors.

It will be held at the Putnam County Fairgrounds in the community building. The class dates are as follows (note that you must attend all three to be eligible for a certificate):

•Sept. 3, from 6-9 p.m.

•Sept. 5, from 6-9 p.m.

•Sept. 7, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Pre-register for the class by going to the website, or check it out for the dates of other classes in the area, at www.IndianaHunterEducation.com

Walk-ins are also welcome. If you have any specific questions in regards to the upcoming class, you may contact the chief of police in Greencastle, Tom Sutherlin, at 765-848-1561.

Anglers can learn more about a plan to improve fishing at West Boggs Lake in Loogootee at an Aug. 21 open house, hosted by the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife and the Daviess-Martin Joint County Parks and Recreation Department (D-MJPRD).

The open house is from 5-7 p.m. at the West Boggs Park Activity Center, located at the intersection of Deckard Road and Crane Lane.

Entry to the park will be free for people attending the open house.

The public can meet with staff from Fish & Wildlife and the D-MJPRD. Presenters will explain the 2013 summer fish survey and the timeline for the 2014 fisheries renovation of the lake. The public can then ask questions and submit comments concerning the renovation.

West Boggs Lake has been invaded by gizzard shad, which compete with bluegill and small bass for food. In lakes with gizzard shad populations, bluegill growth is stunted and bass numbers decline.

In 2014, the DNR plans to lower the lake level, salvage adult bass and channel catfish and eradicate the existing fish population using rotenone, an approved fish toxicant. The lake will then be restocked with desirable game species.

More information on the renovation is available at www.dnr.IN.gov/fishwild/ 7418.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.