Spaulding Outdoors by Jack Spaulding 

 

Indiana Conservation Officers are encouraging citizens to partner with the Turn in a Poacher (TIP) program and become active in putting an end to poaching. TIP is a non-profit organization originating in 1983 for the purpose of paying rewards to promote public involvement and assistance to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement effort.

TIP is administered by a citizen’s advisory board consisting of members repre-senting many different sportsmen organizations.

“Concerned citizens are the main reason why Indiana TIP has been successful in fighting against poaching and bringing justice to those who violate Fish and Wildlife laws”, said TIP citizen’s advisory board President Joe Cales. “Poaching affects us all.”

Since 2011, TIP has received 1,388 tips and has paid $13,100 in rewards for tips that have led to the arrest of a suspect.

TIP was instrumental in funding the beginning of the nationally recognized K-9 resource protection program for the Indiana DNR Law Enforcement Division.

“The Turn in a Poacher organization and its members continue to be a great supporter of the mission of the DNR Law Enforcement Division,” said Director Danny East. “Our success is greatly increased by the support of our citizens and sportsmen organizations.”

Interested citizens may join TIP by visiting online at www.in.gov/dnr/lawenfor/2745.htm

To report Fish and Wildlife violations and remain anonymous citizens are encouraged to use the TIP line by calling 1-800-TIP-IDNR.

Clean and repair waterfowl

blinds at Lake Monroe

Youth and adults interested in waterfowl hunting and observation are invited to help clean, repair and camouflage the waterfowl hunting blinds in the Stillwater-Northfork Waterfowl area.

The day will include a short training session on waterfowl blinds and the state’s waterfowl management program. Lunch will be provided for all participants.

Volunteers may stay as late as 4 p.m. to help. Bring work gloves and any hand tools that might be helpful.

Youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Please dress for the weather. Donations of vegetables or meat for the lunch stew are welcome but not necessary.

Registration is requested but not necessary – last minute volunteers are welcome. To sign up in advance, call the Monroe Lake office at 812-837-9546 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and ask for Rex Watters.

Volunteers should meet at the Northfork Check Station located east of Bloomington – off of State Road 46 – by the intersection of Kent Road and McGowan Road. For directions, call 812-837-9546 or email rwatters@dnr.IN.gov

Center at Salamonie Lake

will host a trapping camp

Salamonie Lake will host a free trapper education course, Oct. 4-5, at the Salamonie Interpretive Center. The program is open to all ages, though youths are especially encouraged to attend.

Registration is open now, and interested individuals are encouraged to register in advance.

The program will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4 with education on trapping issues, ethics and regulations. The program is sponsored by Salamonie Lake, the Indiana State Trappers Assoc. (ISTA) and Indiana Conservation Officers.

Saturday afternoon, participants will set traps under supervision. Traps will be checked Sunday morning. Furbearers caught will be used in skinning and fleshing demonstrations by ISTA instructors.

Free camping is available for all course attendees on Friday and Saturday nights at the Lost Bridge West Youth Campground, within walking distance of the interpretive center.

Lunch will be provided both days. The program will end by 4:30 p.m. each day. Participants do not need a trapping license. Entrance fees will be waived for participants.

To register online, visit register-ed.com/programs/indiana

For more information, or to register by phone, call 260-468-2127.

Trappers must attend both days to receive the DNR Trapper Education Certification.

Salamonie Lake is at 9214 W. Lost Bridge West, Andrews, Ind. 46702. For more details, contact Justin Harrington by email at JHarrington@dnr.IN.gov or call 260-468-2125.

Submissions for Big Tree

Register due by Oct. 31

The 2012 drought and other circumstances have knocked some of Indiana’s state champion trees out of contention for the 2015 Big Tree Register.

Published every five years, the register is a list of the largest known native trees in the state, known as state champion trees. The DNR is accepting nominations for the 2015 Big Tree Register through Oct. 31.

The loss of several champions is an opportunity for other trees to move up and take their places. Those who think they have the largest or even the second-largest should nominate their tree. It could be the next state champion for its species.

The application requires three measurements of a tree: total circumference, in inches, at 4 1/2 feet above the ground; total height, in feet; and average crown spread, in feet.

The total size of a tree is calculated using a points system. The tree of each species with the highest total is Indiana’s largest. Each tree nominated is verified for species and size before acceptance in the register.

Visit dnr.IN.gov/forestry/8169.htm for more information, the online directory of Indiana big trees, the nomination form and directions on how to make tree measurements.

For details about nominating a tree for the register or to receive a nomination form, contact district forester Janet Eger at 812-247-2479 or jeger@dnr.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 may contact Jack Spaulding by email at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.