Spaulding Outdoors by Jack Spaulding 

 

Fragmenting by lead bullets has been a hot topic in recent years, following research out of North Dakota and Minnesota that found lead bullet fragments in deer meat at food pantries.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a follow-up study confirming a link between lead levels and wild game consumption. Lead is a toxic substance, and exposure may pose health risks to hunters and their families, especially children and pregnant women.

Previous research has focused on ammunition from high-velocity center fire rifles, which are prohibited for deer hunting in Indiana. The Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) recently conducted a study on whether fragmentation was a concern for deer hunters, given their most popular ammunition choices: rifled slugs, sabot slugs and conical in-line muzzleloader bullet.

The DFW found evidence of fragmentation in each of the 43 deer sampled. The muzzleloader bullets had the most fragments and the greatest average distance traveled by fragments from the exit wound.

The average distance a fragment traveled was typically between 1-2.5 inches, though the furthest traveled just over 8 inches from the exit wound. Simply gutting the deer often removed 45-57 percent of the total fragments.

Using the findings of the study, the DFW made the following recommendations:

•Fragmenting in shotgun and in-line muzzleloader ammunition exists but is minimal. The DFW does not see a need to ban lead ammunition for deer hunting.

•Fragments were greatest when bullets struck a front shoulder, versus a vital shot (heart/lungs). Fragmentation can extend to both shoulders in the case of a shoulder shot.

•Nontoxic alternatives are available, and the DFW encourages hunters to consider using one of the substitutes if lead exposure is a concern for your family.

•Hunters should consider liberally trimming their meat (at least 2 inches from both the entrance and exit wounds, and possibly up to 8 inches from the exit wound) if lead exposure is a concern, or consider sacrificing the shoulder meat if the shoulder is struck.

Trimming back bullet-damaged meat is a good idea – not just for the elimination of any possible fragmentation, but to maintain a high quality in the harvested meat. Responsible hunters should always make the effort to provide their family and friends with quality meat from the field.

Lifejackets not just

for summertime

As the weather cools, wearing an overcoat becomes a nearly automatic equipment choice for enjoying the outdoors. At the same time, many people enjoying their sports around water seem to forget about wearing another, more vital type of jacket: A lifejacket.

It’s a mistake that can be life-threatening during a season when many enjoy kayaking or canoeing, duck hunting from a jon boat or taking a late-winter ice-fishing trip.

During fall and early winter, water temperatures plummet, increasing the chance of hypothermia and the risk of drowning, particularly if a person goes overboard while not wearing a lifejacket.

Indiana law requires all vessels to carry one wearable U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD (personal floatation device) for each person on board.

In addition, vessels 16 feet in length or longer (except a canoe or kayak) must have one approved PFD on board and readily accessible.

Common sense, however, requires you to wear a lifejacket at all times while on the water, no matter what the season.

“Cold water brings additional concerns to the recreating public,” said Indiana Boating Law Administrator Lt. Kenton Turner. “Lifejackets are a yearlong priority and should be the first thought on everyone’s mind when enjoying Indiana’s waterways.”

State properties put-and-take

pheasant hunts

Indiana will again be offering Put-And-Take pheasant hunting this year. Pheasants will be released for put-and-take hunting on Atterbury, Glendale, J.E. Roush Lake, Pigeon River (west of State Road 3), Tri-County, Willow Slough and Winamac Fish & Wildlife Areas.

The cost for put-and-take hunts is $25 per person. The bag limit for put-and-take pheasant hunting is two birds of either sex. A hunter filling his/her limit in the put-and-take hunt may not take any more pheasants the same day.

Hunters may reserve put-and-take pheasant hunts online until midnight on Nov. 30.

Hunts are no longer available first-come, first-serve at the property. Hunters may select the date, property and area for their hunt.

Pheasant hunting season is extended on Atterbury and Glendale until Jan. 10, 2015.

The bag limit during the extended pheasant season on Atterbury and Glendale is two pheasants of either sex.

Print your confirmation page once you submit your reservation(s). You will also receive a confirmation email once your reservation(s) have been successfully submitted. No refunds will be given.

Deer poached

at Potato Creek State Park

Indiana conservation officers are seeking information regarding the illegal taking of a whitetail deer at Potato Creek State Park. The deer was shot sometime during the night of Oct. 12 up until 10 a.m. Oct. 13.

Department of Natural Resources State Park employees discovered the deer on park property south of New Road between Redwood and Primrose. The male deer’s head had been removed, leaving the entire body of the deer. Officers used a canine to recover evidence at the scene. It is believed the deer was poached from the road.

The investigation is ongoing and conservation officers do not have a suspect at this time.

A reward is offered for any information leading to the arrest of a poacher. Anyone with information on this or any other poaching is urged to call 800-TIP-IDNR (847-4367).

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.