Indiana conservation officers completed an investigation on the Wabash River, resulting in the arrest of an Illinois man for engaging in illegal commercial fishing activity.

On March 21, Illinois conservation officers arrested 34-year-old Aaron Taylor at his home in Darwin, Ill. Taylor was taken to the Clark County, Ill., jail where he is being held for unlawful sale of protected aquatic life pending his bond hearing.

The arrest was made as part of a joint operation involving the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division and the Illinois DNR Office of Law Enforcement.

The investigation revealed Taylor had been allegedly harvesting shovelnose sturgeon from the Wabash River and selling the sturgeon eggs for several years. He did not possess a valid Illinois roe harvester permit. Also in the boat was 66-year-old Larry L. Bryan of Darwin, Ill. Bryan received several citations for boating violations and was released.

Female shovelnose sturgeon living in the Wabash River are targeted by commercial fisherman in both states for their eggs. Shovelnose sturgeon migrate upstream annually to spawn, or to lay their eggs. The eggs, referred to as roe, are eventually sold, processed and distributed as caviar.

A dedicated license to harvest shovelnose sturgeon using commercial fishing devices is required by both Indiana and Illinois. The license allows the holder to harvest shovelnose sturgeon for the roe and sell the roe to a licensed roe dealer. The established season for taking sturgeon with commercial fishing devices in both Indiana and Illinois is from Oct. 1-May 31.

Taylor was charged in Illinois for unlawful sale of aquatic life, which is a Class 3 felony punishable by 2-5 years in jail and a $25,000 fine. Additional misdemeanor charges include 2 counts of fishing without a valid commercial fishing license, 2 counts of taking shovelnose sturgeon without a roe harvester’s permit 8 counts of failing to properly tag commercial fishing nets, 12 counts of unlawful sale of aquatic life, 1 count of unlawful possession of protected aquatic life and 1 count of failure to maintain records of commercial catch.

No additional charges were filed in Indiana. Taylor’s commercial fishing nets, as well as the boat he and Bryan were using to transport the illegally taken fish, were seized by Illinois officers. The boat was owned by Bryan.

“The recent decline in shovelnose sturgeon numbers, combined with the increased demand for the shovelnose sturgeon roe in American, European and Asian markets, can place an additional strain on a fish that doesn’t produce as prolifically as others,” said Indiana Officer Thomas Lahay.

“Since we share the fisheries resources with the people of the state of Illinois, it only makes sense to ensure our regulations and enforcement efforts remain similar.”

Even though the snow covered the ground last week, resident Canada geese are readying for the nesting season. About anywhere there is a waterway, lake or pond, there are geese pairing up and getting ready to select a nesting site.

For some, little goslings in the spring is a welcome thought. For others, the constantly defecating, antagonistic birds become a property owner’s nightmare. If you are more the nightmare type and Canada geese have become a problem on your property, information is available through the Indiana DNR website.

Most goose problems occur from March through June, during the nesting season, when geese are especially aggressive, sometimes attacking and nipping at people. Geese can cause a great deal of localized damage if many young are hatched in one area.

After hatching, goslings are incapable of flight for about 70 days, so the young birds and their parents will graze near the hatching area until the young are able to fly. Damage to landscaping can be significant and expensive to repair or replace, while large amounts of excrement can render areas unfit for human use.

Information on actions property owners can take to manage Canada geese is available at www.in.gov/dnr/fish wild/2996.htm

Solutions range from habitat modification to daily goose harassment through noisemaking devices, to supporting goose hunting or obtaining a DNR trapping permit.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) allows landowners who are properly registered to destroy resident Canada goose eggs and nests on their property. More information on registering for federal permission to destroy eggs and nests is at https://epermits.fws.gov/ercgr/ gesi.aspx

It’s against federal law for anyone to destroy a Canada goose nest containing one or more eggs without first securing permission through the FWS. It’s best to use preventive measures such as habitat modification before geese become a nuisance.

A turkey hunting workshop is scheduled for April 14 at the Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA). The workshop will run from 1-4 p.m. at the property office, located at 8432 N 850 E, Syracuse, Ind.

Activities for the workshop include turkey hunting tactics, equipment needs, cleaning and preparing after the harvest, safety, history and biology of the wild turkey and field demonstrations. If time and weather allow, there will be shooting range opportunities.

The workshop is tailored to beginning turkey hunters, but all levels may gain valuable knowledge. The event is sponsored by Tri-County FWA, Indiana conservation officers and the Land of Lakes Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Drinks and light snacks will be provided.

For more information, call 574-834-4461.

The first time I ran across campground hosts was on a vacation years ago out West. The national parks system was set up to offer a camping spot and, in some instances, water and electricity to campers willing to stay at the location and become the campground hosts.

It was a great arrangement and provided friendly people at the location ready and willing to assist newcomers to the camp area. Campers may not know most of Indiana’s state parks and reservoirs offer opportunities for campground hosts as well.

Hosts work a minimum of 20 hours per week in exchange for free camping for a specified period of time. The time period varies at sites, based on the number of applicants and the amount and type of work required.

Properties seek dedicated campers who enjoy working outdoors, with people and with DNR staff. Detailed information about duties and site availability is at www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2404.htm or by contacting the property of interest.

Completion of a volunteer application is required to apply. To download a form, go to www.stateparks.IN.gov and click on “How You Can Help” under “Stewardship Links.”

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.