Spaulding Outdoors
By Jack Spaulding

Getting started in a new outdoor recreational pursuit can be a daunting task, especially if you want to involve the entire family.

Whether it is fishing, shooting sports or paddling a canoe, Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is stepping to the forefront to give everyone a chance to learn more about enjoying the outdoors. There will be 50 outdoor and outdoor-related activities available for you as an individual, or as a family, to learn from the experts.

The second annual Hoosier Outdoor Experience at Indianapolis’ Fort Harrison State Park is Sept. 18-19. During last year’s inaugural Experience, 13,300 children and adults enjoyed trying more than 50 outdoor activities. Included were various types of fishing.

Perhaps you watched your children or others fish at the DNR Fishing Pond at the fair. Perhaps you were one of the lucky adults who fished the pond with your child. The Hoosier Outdoor Experience is a time for both children and adults to learn about – and try – different kinds of fishing.

The price is right too, as there is no charge for the courses.

Even if you’re a veteran angler, you may not have tried some of the many methods. Ever wanted to learn to fish with a bow and arrow? You can. Ever wanted to fly fish? You can. You can also learn about fly tying and how to successfully fish in Indiana from experts.

“If you ever wanted to learn about basic fishing, fly fishing or even bowfishing but weren’t sure how to get started, here’s your chance,” said Bill James, DNR’s chief of Fisheries.

For bowfishing at the event, floating fish targets will be provided to add realism. Experienced volunteers will coach participants and ensure safety.

“If you’re looking for a unique hands-on experience at the Hoosier Outdoor Experience, be sure to stop by the bowfishing venue,” James said. “You might find you have a hidden talent that would make Robin Hood jealous.”

The Hoosier Outdoor Experience will run from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. each day, and is presented by the DNR and the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation. The goal is to introduce people to outdoor activities they may have never tried.

Fishing is just one of many free Outdoor Experiences at the family-friendly event. Others include hands-on target shooting, archery, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing and much more.

Activities will be organized in six stations: aquatics, cultural, equestrian, outdoors, shooting sports and wildlife. Shuttles will take participants from station to station.

Parking, admission, activities, demonstrations and seminars at the Hoosier Outdoor Experience are free to the public. Online advance registration is requested, to assist with staffing and planning. To register, go online to www.in.gov/dnr/5009.htm and click on the orange “registration” icon. Watch for event updates there or at Facebook.com/ HoosierOutdoorExperience

If you already enjoy outdoor sports and recreation and want to help others learn to enjoy them as much as you do, sign up to volunteer at www.in.gov/dnr/ 5412.htm

Biodiversity of Goose Pond
Obtaining the Goose Pond properties by the DNR as new public lands for Hoosiers is one of the greatest land acquisitions imaginable. The biodiversity of the 8,000 acres is just being explored and the findings show a rich and diverse cross section of our natural heritage.

By the time a final species count at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area (FWA) is complete, more than 1,000 species are likely to have been found during the inaugural biodiversity survey at Indiana’s largest wetland restoration area.

Researchers at the property south of Linton in southwestern Indiana aimed to lay the groundwork for future studies. Highlighted species found include purple fringeless orchid, which is widespread and secure, but also on the Indiana watch list; American ruby spot dragonfly; bog lemming; and barn owl.

Researchers found the diversity of wetland plants present through natural recruitment impressive, since no wetland vegetation was planted at the beginning of the restoration.

Survey results showed 20 species of amphibians and reptiles, 79 species of beetles, 33 bee species, 124 bird species, 47 butterfly species, 22 species of dragonflies and damselflies, 41 moth species identified with 40 more still to be identified, four species of marsh flies, five fungi and 375 vascular plant species.

A summary, when available, will be posted at www.indianaacademy ofscience.org/academy/program archive/bioblitz

Data from the survey will be shared with appropriate state agencies and a brief report will be submitted to the Proceedings of the IAS (Indiana Academy of Science) for publication. Watch also for the IAS newsletter publication, which, when available, will be posted at http://indianaacademyofscience.org/ publications/newsletter

The FWA was created under the Resources Conservation Service Wetlands Reserve Program, USDA, and is the seventh largest such project in the country. It covers 7,138 acres in two sections: Goose Pond (5,945 acres) and Beehunter Marsh (1,193 acres), both of which are both part of Goose Pond FWA.

For more information, go to  www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3094.htm or http://friendsofgoosepond.org

Goose Pond, with its immensity and its treasure of natural resources, will provide generations of Hoosiers a special “wild place’ in southern Indiana for many years to come.

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 for Jack Spaulding may contact him by e-mail at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.