The public can learn about coyote biology and how to deal with coyotes in urban areas at a Dec. 3 program in Hamilton County.

Sponsored by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Fish & Wildlife and Hamilton County Parks Department, the free program runs from 6-8 p.m. at Cool Creek Nature Center, 2000 E. 151st Street in Carmel.

Individuals wish-ing to attend are asked to register in advance by calling 317-774-2500.

Presenters will be Shawn Rossler, DNR furbearer biologist; Nate Yazel, DNR district wildlife biologist for Hamilton County; and Tim Julien, a licensed nuisance animal control operator.

“Places like Fishers and Carmel are growing communities with a lot of green space that gives cover for rabbits and other animals,” said Warren Gartner, DNR conservation education supervisor. “That provides habitat for coyotes as well.”

Urban coyote conflicts are focused on attacks on pets, concern for safety and fear of the unknown. The DNR manages trapping and hunting seasons to help control coyote populations. But traditional hunting and trapping opportunities are often limited in urban and suburban areas, Gartner said.

Julien will talk about how licensed nuisance animal control operators can work with residents to respond to coyote conflicts.

Intoxicated hunter arrested

for numerous violations

Indiana conservation officers have arrested Neil O. Lyles, 46, from Vincennes, for fleeing law enforcement, allegedly hunting deer over bait and no hunting license. Lyles was also cited for a safety violation of no hunter orange.

Accompanying Lyles was Ryan T. Portee, 31, from Princeton, who was also cited for no hunter orange and allegedly hunting deer over bait.

On the opening day of Indiana’s deer firearm’s season, officers observed two individuals spreading what appeared to be types of grain throughout a field southwest of the intersection of County Roads 100 North and 275 West near Princeton.

Suspecting illegal hunting activity, the officers planned to return the next day.

Shortly after 6:30 the following morning, Officer Ryan McIntyre observed Lyles and Portee sitting in the same tree stand overlooking the baited area. Lyles, who was going to hunt in a ground blind near the base of the stand, had climbed into the stand to get another beer.

Alerted to the officer’s presence, Lyles climbed down from the stand and began to run, disregarding the officer’s orders to stop. Calling Gibson County Dispatch for assistance, Ryan began a foot pursuit.

During the chase, Lyles fell to the ground, allowing the officer to take him into custody. Gibson County deputies, Indiana State Police, Princeton police officers and other conservation officers arrived at the scene to assist.

Large amounts of shelled corn and livestock pellet feed were found spread throughout the field. A mineral block was also found.

Baiting for deer is illegal for two reasons. It violates the principle of the “fair chase” and it unnaturally draws deer together to the same food source, which can promote the spread of disease within the deer population.

Lyles was transported to the Gibson Count Jail for processing.

Conservation officers would like to remind the hunting public that alcoholic beverage consumption is not part of the hunting experience.

As with the addition of alcoholic beverages to vehicle and boat operation, alcohol consumption combined with firearms and elevated tree stands can have disastrous results.

Missing hunter found

On Nov. 15 with a report of a missing hunter, conservation officers and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department responded to County Road 650 W, approximately 1 mile south of Clinton Falls, Ind. A search was initiated with the help of local fire departments and volunteers, which continued until 4 a.m.

Seventy-six-year-old John Rimmer of Largo, Fla., was located at 10:30 a.m. alive and well after falling down a ravine and spending the night in the wooded area. A 911 call was placed at 7 p.m. by a neighbor after Rimmer failed to return from deer hunting.

A ground search of the steep and rugged wooded area was organized at 7 a.m., and Rimmer was located approximately one mile from his hunting location.

He was taken by ATV to a waiting ambulance, then on to the Putnam County Hospital to assess his condition.

Rimmer told conservation officers he had fallen down a ravine when returning from his hunt and became disoriented. He appeared to be in good spirits, cold, thirsty and tired, but alive and well.

A combined effort by 32 civilian and law enforcement searchers worked through the night that Saturday. Sunday morning, there were 51 searchers who conducted a large-scale ground search of the area. Officer Lt. Kent Hutchins piloted his aircraft over the search area, as well.

Conservation officers encountered deer hunters during the search who stopped their hunt, volunteered and joined in the search.

Assisting agencies included Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, Greencastle Police Department, Bainbridge Fire Department, Greencastle Fire, Clinton Township Fire, Russellville Fire, Madison Fire, Floyd Township Fire, Bellmore Fire, Bridgeton Fire, Operation Life Ambulance and the Working Dogs Assoc.

Buy camping reservations

online for a family vacation

For the first time, you can now buy camping gift cards online for DNR camping. The new program means you can give the gift of camping and other related reservations to your outdoorsy friends, from the comfort of your home or office.

The gift card may be used to make reservations or register as a walk-in for Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs, as well as Covered Bridge, Deam Lake, Greene-Sullivan and Starve Hollow DNR Forestry properties, for cabins (excluding inns-operated cabins), campsites, cottages, group camps, recreation buildings, rent-a-camp cabins, picnic shelters and youth and rally camps.

More details are at http://stores.innsgifts.com for Mother Nature’s Mercantile, from which you can order. Gift cards may be purchased in $25, $50, $75, $100, $150 and $200 increments. They may also be purchased at DNR property offices or by phone, at 866-622-6746.

Camping reservations are now being accepted for 2015 at 866-622-6746 or http://indianastateparks.reserveamerica.com – you may reserve up to six months in advance of your desired arrival date, and Memorial Day 2015 weekend reservations can be made now.

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.