Spaulding Outdoors by Jack Spaulding 

 

The public will have the opportunity to comment on a proposal to open a trapping season for river otters in Indiana at a Dec. 11 public hearing in the Hendricks County town of Plainfield.

The hearing, conducted by the Indiana Natural Resources Commission (NRC), will be at 5:30 p.m. at the Plainfield Public Library, located at 1120 Stafford Road. The commission will conduct the public hearing on proposed rule changes to include the following:

•Opening a trapping season for river otters including strict limits on the number of to be taken; when, where and how otters may be trapped; and mandatory registration of harvested otters. A temporary rule would be implemented annually by the director specifying counties open to trapping and the statewide quota.

•Allowing the sale of river otters, including their hides and parts, as well as squirrel hides.

•Making changes to fur buyer license requirements, including changing the reporting date and specifying requirements for the proper disposal of carcasses.

Individuals may view the proposed new rule language online at www.in.gov/nrc/2377.htm

Public comments also can be submitted to the NRC through that webpage. Look for the rule package titled “FW: River Otters.” A third way to submit comments is by mailing them to: Natural Resources Commission, Indiana Government Center North, 100 North Senate Ave., Room N501, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

The deadline for submitting comments is Dec. 11. All comments sent to the NRC regarding the rule changes will be provided to Commission members and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff, and will be publicly disclosed and searchable on the internet and in a paper docket as part of the final report.

The final report is expected to be presented to the NRC to request final adoption of the rule changes at its meeting in January 2015. After final adoption, the rule changes must be approved by the attorney general’s and governor’s offices before taking effect.

Trails Advisory nominations

The DNR is seeking nominations for five openings on the State’s Indiana Trails Advisory Board (TAB) for 2015. Nominees must be involved with a trails-oriented organization representing one of the following user groups: bicyclists, higher education/health, off-road motorcyclists, parks and recreation agencies or water trail users.

Board members are expected to serve a three-year term starting March 1, 2015, and attend quarterly meetings. TAB meetings are the first Thursday of March, September and December, and on the last Thursday in June. All meetings start at 3 p.m., and the locations vary throughout the state. The 15-member voluntary TAB advises DNR Director Cameron F. Clark on trail-related issues. Having a TAB is also required for the state to receive funding from the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration.

The state uses the funds to acquire and develop multi-use trails for both motorized and non-motorized use. Nominations will be accepted by the DNR Division of Outdoor Recreation through Jan. 2. To learn more about the Indiana Trails Advisory Board and nomination information, go to www.in.gov/dnr/outdoor/4094.htm

Interested parties may obtain additional information by contacting Amy Marisavljevic at 317-232-4067 or amarisavljevic@dnr.IN.gov or by mail (or in person) at: DNR Outdoor Recreation, 402 W. Washington St., Room W271, Indianapolis, IN 46204-2782.

Trophy buck seized after TIP

Indiana Conservation Officer Andrew Harmon is investigating a trophy buck poached in northern Adams County.

The buck is believed to score between 150-160 inches by Pope and Young standards.

Through the use of the DNR Law Enforcement Division’s TIP (Turn in a Poacher) Hotline, Harmon received information stating a trophy buck was killed illegally in an area baited with food and minerals.

Following up on the TIP information, he located the area and found corn and mineral attractant in the area of a tree stand. Further investigation showed the suspected hunter to have killed a trophy buck, and photos were located showing the hunter holding a trophy buck.

During patrol on Nov. 5, Harmon contacted the suspect in his vehicle, and a subsequent field interview led the suspect to admit he took the trophy buck. Further interviewing led to an admission the deer was killed in the same woods and same area Harmon found baited.

The antlers of the trophy buck were seized and charges are pending with the Adams County Prosecutor’s Office.

Indiana conservation officers are encouraging citizens to partner with the TIP program and become active in putting an end to poaching. TIP is a nonprofit organization originated in 1983 for the purpose of paying rewards to promote public involvement and assistance to the DNR law enforcement effort.

TIP is administered by a citizens advisory board consisting of members representing 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 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 leading 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 division Director Danny East. “Our success is greatly increased by the support of our citizens and sportsmen organizations.”

Interested citizens may join TIP by visiting the website 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 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.