By JACK SPAULDING
Spaulding Outdoors 

Anglers with disabilities will soon have an easier time fishing at Kingsbury Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA) in La Porte, thanks to plans for an accessible pier. The new fishing pier on Tamarack Lake will meet requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act and will replace a 32-year-old fishing pier.

Property staff recently removed the old pier. Installation of the new one was expected to start early this week, and will take about a week to complete. The boat launch will remain open, but will be closed at times to allow for installation of the new pier as materials arrive.

Lake Monroe is offering its popular paddling trip, "Back-Story in the Back-Water," at Pine Grove State Recreation Area (SRA) on Sept. 12 at 8 a.m.

The trip focuses on the reservoir’s cultural history. Attendees will learn about families who lived in the area and how the land became a reservoir.

The trip also will visit some remnants from pre-reservoir days.

The 3- to 4-hour trip is designed for intermediate or advanced paddlers, ages 15 and older. Beginning paddlers may participate only if they are accompanied in the same boat by a more experienced paddler. No paddling instruction will be provided. Registration is required, at www.bit.ly/backstorysep2015

There is a $10 program fee, and the trip is limited to 15 people. Participants may bring their own kayak or canoe, or rent a kayak for an additional $25. Pine Grove SRA is at the end of Pine Grove Road off of State Road 446, Bloomington, IN 47401.

The shooting range at Willow Slough FWA will close for renovation and improvements on Sept. 28. The new range, scheduled to reopen in mid-to-late summer of 2016, will include movable target stands, additional pistol stations, flush toilets, a sales area and improved shooter safety.

The range will be similar to the modern ranges at Atterbury, J.E. Roush Lake, and Kingsbury FWAs.

This year, Purdue University extension will again be offering deer processing workshops throughout Indiana.

In the workshops a deer will be skinned, butchered and prepared in a variety of ways for the participants to taste.

Food safety and handling procedures, as well as an update on deer health issues, will be presented.

Registration is appreciated by calling the appropriate number below:

•Sept. 15 – Wayne County Fairgrounds (Richmond), 6-9 p.m., 765-973-9281

•Sept. 17 – Bass Pro Shops (Clarksville), 6-9 p.m., 812-218-5500 (free program)

•Sept. 20 – Fort Harrison State Park, Indianapolis, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., no registration required but parking and other details are online (free program)

•Sept. 22 – Monroe County Fairgrounds at Bloomington 6-9 p.m., 812-349-2575

For more information, contact Jonathan Ferris in the extension office of Wayne County by calling 765-973-9281.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) venison donation program will be available for a fourth year. Hunters who are willing to donate venison and people who would like to receive venison may begin registering now.

The GiveIN Game Program connects hunters who have opportunities to harvest additional deer with individuals who could use venison to help feed their families. Participants contact each other through the program and arrange for the transfer of meat on their own.

The free program starts Sept. 1 each year. Opportunities exist for donation of venison during the hunting season, as well as the exchange of frozen packages of venison or deer taken on special permits outside of hunting season. Participants register each year starting on Sept. 1.

Both donors and recipients, should remember the following:

•A person cannot sell, trade or barter venison, per Indiana Code 14-22-6-8; venison can be gifted

•DNR is not responsible for the quantity, quality, freshness, processing or packaging of the venison or the failure of the donor or recipient to follow through with the transfer

•All hunter-harvested deer must be taken to an official deer check station within 48 hours of the harvest for registration – this can be done by the hunter who harvested the deer or someone he/she designates, as long as the designee has the temporary transportation tag the hunter completed

•Participants will contact each other and arrange for the transfer of meat on their own

•Participants may join or withdraw from the program at any time

Participants will have their first name, county and preferred contact information (phone or email) available online to search for potential matches. Other personal information will remain confidential. To register for the program, go online to www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/7240.htm

Venison is a healthy alternative to beef. It has less fat and calories, and more protein than the similar size serving of beef, according to www.nutritiondata.com

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.