The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Purdue University are hosting a new workshop in the Fort Wayne area for landowners interested in managing their properties for wildlife.

Wildlife Management for the Private Landowner is an eight-week course beginning Sept. 18 and ending Nov. 6 at Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne. The program is designed to provide landowners an introduction to wildlife ecology, a history of Indiana ecosystems, wildlife identification, wildlife biology, habitat management planning and techniques and how to access information and assistance with wildlife management goals.

Specific topics will include the biology and management of whitetail deer, wild turkey, pheasants, quail, rabbits and doves. Other topics will provide information on how to restore and manage Indiana ecosystems, including forests, grasslands and wetlands.

Topics will be presented by natural resource professionals from the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife, Purdue, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Wild Turkey Federation.

The workshop will be from 6-9 p.m. each Tuesday at IPFW, plus two Saturday field days to demonstrate techniques discussed in the classroom. The forest management field day is Oct. 13 and the grassland/wetland field day is Oct. 27. The cost is $100 per person and includes a binder with resource materials, publications geared to course topics and snacks and drinks during each session.

For more information or to register, contact Rob Chapman, extension wildlife specialist with Purdue, at 812-662-4999 or RNCHAPMAN@purdue.edu

Indiana conservation officers are investigating a tree stand accident at 10099 7th Road near Plymouth, Ind. According to Officer Owens, 45-year-old Stephen E. Guzak was recently attempting to hang a tree stand and fell approximately 20 feet to the ground.

Guzak was not using any protective gear such as a climbing harness or safety line. He suffered a broken hip, dislocated shoulder and possible broken ribs and broken arm. Guzak was transported by helicopter to Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

He was in stable condition at the time of this report. Other units on the scene were the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, Plymouth EMS and Medflight.

Officers urge anyone setting up a tree stand to use the proper safety gear and to have help. They also urge sportsmen and -women to leave a hunting plan with a responsible person, since Guzak was alone and lucky his cell phone worked, to call 911. There may not be cell phone coverage available, so posting a hunting plan with friends and family is always a good idea.

The DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife and the Purdue extension service are sponsoring venison workshop series in September, which will teach deer skinning, butchering and preparation.

Participants can taste the venison prepared in a variety of ways. The workshops will also feature food safety and handling procedures and an update on deer health issues. Adult admission is $15; children 17 and younger are free.

The workshop at the Hoosier Outdoor Experience on Sept. 15 is free to all. Register by calling the appropriate number for each event below:

•Sept. 12 – LaGrange County Fairgrounds, LaGrange, 6-9 p.m., 260-499-6334

•Sept. 13 – Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, Lafayette, 6-9 p.m., 765-474-0793

•Sept. 15 – Fort Harrison State Park, Indianapolis, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; no registration required, details are online at www.hoosieroutdoorexperience.IN.gov

 

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.