Indiana Conservation officers have submitted charges to the Putnam County prosecutor’s office against Darin Hull, 43, of Reelsville, Ind., for two counts of illegal taking/possession of a bobcat.

Hull allegedly trapped, killed and skinned two bobcats. Bobcats are a protected species in Indiana. Conservation officers located the bobcat hides hidden in a freezer, wrapped and marked as “beef tongue.”

Illegal taking/possession of a bobcat is a Class C misdemeanor and each class C misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of imprisonment of not more than 60 days, and maximum fine of not more than $500.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) sponsors Trapper Education classes, stressing techniques to reduce the number of non-target catches. Conservation officers must be notified of a non-target catch of a non-game or endangered species. A bobcat legally taken in another state may be possessed in Indiana, with proper documentation.

If you have questions about bobcats or other non-game species, you can contact DNR non-game biologist Scott Johnson at 317-232-4080.

Upper Wabash’s Eagle Watch
Response has been great, and the Upper Wabash Interpretive Services annual Eagle Watch for Feb. 19 is filling up quickly. Openings are still available on Feb. 18 20 for more individuals to participate. Visitors to the reservoir area are seeing 30-50 bald eagles at this time.

Feb. 18 will be an evening organized for individuals unable to invest an entire afternoon in eagle-watching. Participants will meet at the Salamonie Interpretive Center at 5 p.m. and travel by caravan to the roost site, with one stop along the way. Coffee will be available at the roost site for a free-will donation.

Feb. 19 and 20, participants will meet at the Interpretive Center at 3 p.m. and will caravan to several different locations on the way to the roost. Once the group arrives at the roost, the Wabash Valley Coon Hunters Assoc. will offer a bowl of chili, coffee or hot chocolate for $3.

Interpretive naturalist Lynnanne Fager for Upper Wabash Interpretive Services said, “Sunday’s trip on February 20 has the greatest number of openings at this time. Visitors will enjoy smaller caravans as we follow each other to the viewing sites, and will also benefit from two prior days of scouting for the eagle locations currently being used by the awesome birds.”

Whichever day you choose to attend, be sure to dress for the weather, bring binoculars if you have them and any snacks or drinks and have a full tank of gas. The sessions begin with a talk about bald eagles at the interpretive center, then, travel to popular eagle spots.

The group will end up at a nearby roost site to watch the bald eagles fly in for the night. The areas on the group tours have had many eagles in years past. There is no fee for the program, but donations for the raptor center and for the refreshments are welcome.

Registration is required. There will be van seats available for a limited number of people. The number of cars to be included in the caravans will also be limited.
Individuals online can visit the Upper Wabash Reservoirs Interpretive Services (UWIS) website at www.dnr.IN.gov/uwis for more information about Interpretive Services programs. Register by calling the UWIS at 260-468-2127 or by visiting the Salamonie Interpretive Center in the Lost Bridge West Recreation Area, 3691 S. New Holland Rd., Andrews, IN 46702.

Master Naturalist classes at Salamonie Lake

Upper Wabash Interpretive Services will hold an Indiana Master Naturalist class at Salamonie Reservoir Interpretive Center from March 17-May 12. The classes are Thursdays from 6-9:30 p.m.

The Indiana Master Naturalist Program (IMNP) is an educational/volunteer program developed by the DNR and Purdue University extension. IMNP brings together natural resources specialists and adult learners to understand Indiana’s plants, water, soils and wildlife. Participants will be able to use their newly learned skills as volunteer interpretive naturalists, working with UWIS.
Class size will be limited to 30 students and the fee for the class is $75. The registration deadline is March 1. The park entrance fee will be waived for students.

To register or learn more about the program, call 260-468-2127 or contact Jody Heaston, program coordinator, at jheaston@dnr.IN.gov

DNR Recreation Guide online
The DNR guide to Indiana’s best values in outdoor recreation is available online now at www.stateparks.IN.gov/2390.htm

The DNR’s 2011 Indiana Recreation Guide is every Hoosier’s source for information on state parks, reservoirs, state park inns, fish and wildlife areas, state forests, state historic sites and other DNR properties. Local retail outlets and state parks, reservoirs and other DNR properties will have free printed copies available in early March.

Annual entrance passes may be purchased in person at the gatehouse or offices of state park and reservoir properties during business hours, at the Indiana Government Center South in Indianapolis or online at www.innsgifts.com
Indiana resident passes are $36, or $18 for individuals 65 years old or older. Annual passes for vehicles with out-of-state license plates are $46. Normal daily gate fees for residents at most properties are $5 per vehicle.
Prices for the passes and for the daily entry fees have remained the same since 2006. For more information on Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs, see www.stateparks.IN.gov

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.