In years past, it has been a hassle to remember to get my deer hunting license along with the right number of antlerless permits to get through the season. The second antlerless permit was always an expense I hated, since it was possible the tag would go unfilled by the end of the season.

To complicate matters, there was the deer firearms season and the muzzleloader season, each requiring its own special basic license. Again, I ran the risk of buying the basic buck license for the firearms season and not filling it. The expense of buying specific deer hunting licenses for specific deer hunting seasons made me want to tear out what little hair I have left.

Starting this year, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is making available a deer hunter’s license bundle designed for the trophy hunter and the guy interested in putting venison in the freezer. What makes it more hunter-friendly is the license bundle may be used across multiple seasons.

The bundle may be used in youth, archery, firearms, muzzleloader and special antlerless seasons, and allows for the harvest of one antlered and two antlerless deer. All legal equipment used in individual seasons may be used with the deer bundle, including crossbows.

The cost is $65 for residents, $295 for non-residents and $65 for non-resident youth – which is cheaper than the basic combination of licenses in the past.

“The deer bundle is a great alternative to buying multiple licenses for multiple seasons,” said Michelle Cain, DNR wildlife information specialist. “It saves hunters money and makes hunting easier for those who enjoy many equipment types for deer hunting.”

There are a few exceptions to the new license:

•The bundle may not be used to satisfy urban deer zone bag limits.

•The bundle may not be used to take bonus antlerless deer on a DNR property during the special antlerless deer season, nor during any regular deer season, except where authorized. See the Indiana Hunting and Trapping Guide or contact the DNR property you wish to hunt, for exceptions.

The new license bundle is available online at www.indiana outdoor.IN.gov or at any Indiana outdoor license retailer.

Salamonie Reservoir and Indiana State Trappers Assoc. (ISTA) will be hosting a Trappers Education Course Oct. 6-7 at Salamonie Interpretive Center. The program will focus on trappers of all ages, though youth trappers are encouraged to attend.

The program will start at 9 a.m. on Oct. 6, with education on trapping issues, ethics and regulations. Lunch will be provided.

After Saturday’s lunch, trappers will get a chance to set traps for furbearers. Trappers will accompany an instructor on the trap line and set traps under close supervision of the instructor. Traps will be left overnight and checked the next day.

At 9 a.m. Oct. 7, trappers will accompany instructors to check traps and handle the fur of animals caught on the trap line. After the traps are checked, furbearers caught on the trap line will be used in skinning and fleshing demonstrations by ISTA instructors.

Lunch will also be provided that day. Trappers will not need a trapping license to attend the program. There are no fees or costs. Pre-registration is required by Sept. 30. To pre-register or for more information, contact Upper Wabash Interpretive Services at 260-468-2127.

Trappers may want to bring waterproof boots or hip waders to wear on the trap line. Trappers will need to dress for the weather. Free overnight camping is available for all course attendees at Lost Bridge Youth Campground, near the Interpretive Center, on Friday and Saturday nights. Trappers must attend both day-sessions of the course to receive the DNR Trapper Education Certification.

The Salamonie Interpretive Center is located in Lost Bridge West State Recreation Area, west of Highway 105 in western Huntington County.

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.