The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced landowners who have non-forested acreage enrolled in the Classified Forest and Wildlands Program may be eligible for a special permit to allow hay cutting on a limited basis.

“The DNR recognizes the drought has taken a significant toll on hay production across the state and that many farmers are in need of livestock feed,” DNR Director Rob Carter said. “Allowing hay to be cut on a limited amount of acreage on classified wildlands may benefit livestock producers.”

The Classified Forest and Wildlands Program encourages landowners to enroll property for the purpose of promoting good forestry and wildlife management. Landowners will be allowed to cut up to 10 percent or five acres of hay, whichever is less. The acreage calculation will be based on the non-forested acreage enrolled in the program.

“The special permit for cutting hay is a deviation from our standard rules, but we think that the unprecedented drought justifies a one-time special permit,” Carter said.

Classified Forest and Wildland owners interested in obtaining a special permit should contact their district forester. A list of district foresters can be found at www.dnr.IN.gov/forestry

On Aug. 10-11, anglers in the Cabela’s King Kat Tournament Trail hit the waters of the Ohio River at Vevay, Ind., for a two-day event. More than 110 top anglers from seven states competed for $10,000 in cash and prizes and the opportunity to qualify for the 2012 Cabela’s King Kat Classic.

“We want to thank Switzerland County Tourism, Belterra Casino, the Ogle Hause along with the city of Vevay, for their support of the Cabela’s King Kat two-day Super Event. It was a tremendous tournament with over 300 spectators watching each day and showing the country the excellent fishery on this section of the Ohio River,” said Tournament Director Tanner Tabor.

Taking first place was the team of Scott Cress of Covington, Ky., and Carl Crone of Villa Hills, with an impressive weight of 190.1 pounds, earning them $4,300 in prize money. Scott and Carl fished the Markland Pool and targeted fish in 30-50 feet of water using skipjack.  The team caught about 60 fish over the two-day period.

Each team was allowed to weigh in five fish each day of the competition.

In second place was Rob Benningfield of Bowling Green, Ky., and Ricky Eisett of Louisville, weighing in 188.3 pounds for $2,000. Rob and Ricky were fishing just below the Markland Dam in 30-35 feet of water using skipjack to catch eight fish in two days.

Third place went to the Frankfort, Ohio, team of Willie Smith and Drew Benner, with a weight of 180.2 pounds earning $1,000. Willie and Drew were fishing in 30-40 feet of water near Tanners Creek to catch a two-day total of 60 fish on skipjack.

Chris DeBow of Madeira, Ohio, and Vic Shepherd of Mount Orad took fourth place with a weight of 167.6 pounds, earning them $700. Chris and Vic were fishing above the Markland Dam, drifting in 30-50 feet of water using Mooneye and skipjack to catch more than 20 fish during the tournament.

Fifth place went to the team of Don Elder of Louisville, Ky., and Chris Tramm of Lebanon, Ind., weighing in 154.15 pounds and earning $500. Don and Chris were fishing below the Markland Dam in 20-35 feet of water using skipjack, and caught eight fish during the two days of competition.

Big fish of the event went to the Madison, Ind., team of Steve Mann and Shafter Bowling, with a nice 52.25-pound blue that earned the team $880. Steve and Shafter caught the big fish of the event below the Markland Dam in 54 feet of water using live bait.

 

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 email at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.