Gov. Mike Braun is encouraging Indiana hunters to donate harvested deer to help feed Hoosiers in need. “For many Hoosier hunters, sharing their hard-earned game with others is the best part of the hunting experience,” Braun said. “Indiana Hunt for Hunger gives hunters the opportunity to do just that, helping those throughout the state who are in need. I encourage all hunters to consider donating a harvested deer to Hunt for Hunger this year.”

Hunt for Hunger, a program administered by the DNR Division of Law Enforcement, provides grants to the division’s nonprofit partners, including Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry, the Dubois County Sportsmen Club, and Hunters and Farmers Feeding the Hungry, to pay for meat processing fees when hunters donate legally harvested deer.

“Hunt for Hunger gives hunters a simple way to make a big difference,” said Col. Steve Hunter, director of DNR Law Enforcement. “Each donated deer helps put nutritious food on the plates of families who need it.”

Participating in the program is simple:

Legally harvest an Indiana deer.

Drop off the field-dressed deer at a local participating processor.

Processing fees are paid for by Hunt for Hunger (no cost to the donating hunter).

The processor creates healthy ground venison to distribute to non-profit food banks and free meal programs.

The participating organizations notify non-profit food banks throughout Indiana when venison is ready to be collected from certified Hunt for Hunger processors. The food banks distribute venison to soup kitchens and food pantries.

More than 500,000 pounds of venison have been donated by Hoosier hunters since the program’s inception in 2008.

For information on donating harvested deer and a list of participating processors, please visit on.IN.gov/huntforhunger.

Indiana Tree Nursery program opens spring ordering

The State of Indiana Tree Nursery program is now accepting orders for spring pick-up or delivery. Orders will be accepted until the inventory is exhausted.

Each year, the Vallonia State Tree Nursery grows millions of high-quality, native trees for Indiana residents to purchase and plant.

Indiana DNR operates two tree seedling nurseries. The Jasper-Pulaski State Tree Nursery is in northern Indiana just north of Medaryville, and Vallonia State Tree Nursery in southern Indiana is in Jackson County near Vallonia.

Orders may be picked up in the spring at either location. Alternately, if you are unable to pick up your trees, they can be delivered to your address.

More information is available at: https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/tree-seedling-nurseries.

Make camping plans now

Take advantage of the crisp autumn air and vibrant fall colors by making your October camping reservations at Indiana State Parks today. Weekdays are the perfect time to enjoy a peaceful getaway without the crowds, and school fall breaks offer a great chance to stay close to home while still creating unforgettable, outdoor memories.

Don’t wait, your ideal fall camping adventure is just a reservation away. Check availability and book today at Camp.IN.gov or by calling 1-866-622-6746, Monday-Friday noon-8 p.m. ET, or Saturday and Sunday noon-5 p.m. ET.

‘till next time, 

Jack

Readers can contact the author by writing to this publication or e-mail Jack at jackspaulding1971@outlook.com. Spaulding’s books, “The Best Of Spaulding Outdoors” and “The Coon Hunter And The Kid.” are available from Amazon.com as a paperback or Kindle download.