Every spring, kind-hearted Hooiers “rescue” a seemingly abandoned baby wild animal and try to care for it. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) advice: Don’t do it. In the spring, thousands of animals are born in the wild. With the spread of suburban areas into their natural habitats, young animals are increasingly born near humans, who might discover them without an adult animal nearby. “Most baby animals are not abandoned,” said Michelle Cain, wildlife information specialist with the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife.
“Many animals leave their young alone when searching for food and come back to them throughout the day.” Picking up a baby wild animal poses risks to the animal and to humans. The best response to encountering a baby wild animal is to leave it alone. State laws prohibit keeping protected wild animals without a permit. Most wild animals are protected by law and cannot be kept. Federal laws also prohibit possession of migratory birds, including songbirds, raptors and waterfowl. It is even illegal to treat wild animals for sickness or injury without a permit. Wild animal rehabilitation permits are issued to qualified individuals who take in sick or injured wild animals with the intent of releasing them back into the wild. If you encounter an injured or sick wild animal, do one of the following: •Take no action and allow nature to run its course •Call a licensed wild animal rehabilitator as listed at www.wildlife.IN.gov on the “Wildlife Rehabilitation” tab •Call the Division of Fish & Wildlife at 317-232-4080 •Call your DNR Law Enforcement district headquarters or regional headquarters; contact information is at www.dnr.IN.gov/lawenfor/2755.htm
•Call a licensed veterinarian for immediate assistance with a sick or severely injured wild animal (note that individuals may be held responsible for any veterinarian charges). Trout stream season now open The 2017 Indiana trout stream season opened on April 29 and will run through Dec. 31. DNR fisheries personnel have stocked nearly 22,000 rainbow trout in 17 streams across the state. The trout are produced at DNR’s Curtis Creek Trout Rearing Station in LaGrange County.
In addition to rainbows, brown trout raised at Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery will be stocked in mid-May; however, anglers may catch holdover browns from prior stockings in streams such as the Brookville Lake tailwater on the Whitewater River, Little Elkhart River, Solomon Creek and Pigeon River.
Information about Indiana trout stocking sites and the respective number of trout stocked at each is online at www.wildlife.IN.gov/5457.htm
Anglers 18 and older must have a trout stamp and valid fishing license to fish for trout. The daily bag limit is five, and no more than one may be a brown trout. The minimum size limit is 7 inches. An 18-inch minimum size limit for brown trout exists at Oliver, Olin and Martin lakes in LaGrange County, and on Whitewater River below the Brookville Lake dam in Franklin County. Also, sections of the Little Elkhart River, Solomon Creek and Cobus Creek in Elkhart County are designated as catch-and-release and artificial lures or flies only. Before fishing, make sure you know the law, particularly at the special sites. The Indiana Fishing Regulation Guide is available at most license retailers and online at www.wildlife.IN.gov/2347.htm
‘Mustard massacre’ at Mounds It sounds like a D-list horror movie, but there is going to be a Mustard (garlic mustard) massacre at Mounds State Park. Mounds is seeking volunteers on May 13 to help “massacre” garlic mustard, an invasive plant spreading through the park’s forest. Garlic mustard shades out native spring wildflowers. Volunteers will receive instruction on identifying the plant and then will pull it from the forest by hand. According to park naturalist Kelley Morgan, the event is a great community service opportunity for civic and scout groups. Gloves and trash bags will be provided. The “massacre” starts at 1 p.m. at the visitor’s center lawn. Volunteers will receive free admission the day of the event by registering in advance. To register, call 765-649-8128. If your group is unable to help on May 13 but would like to help pull garlic mustard on a different day, call 765-649-8128.
Mounds State Park is located at 4306 Mounds Road, Anderson, IN 46017. State forests open houses People interested in how Indiana’s state forests operate may share their views at a series of open houses at various locations. Throughout the year, open houses will be held at the following state forests (SF) and state recreation areas (SRA): Clark SF and Deam SRA; Ferdinand SF; Greene-Sullivan SF; Harrison-Crawford SF; Jackson-Washington SF and Starve Hollow SRA; Martin SF; Morgan-Monroe SF and Yellowwood SF; Owen-Putnam SF; Pike SF; and Salamonie River SF, Frances Slocum SF and Selmier SF.
At each event, the DNR Division of Forestry will provide information about recreation, major projects, forest resource management and planning. Attendees can talk with DNR personnel or, if they prefer, submit written comments. Some open houses will include a facilities tour, guided hike or interpretive program.
“These open houses provide Hoosiers with a chance to receive firsthand information about how state forests provide diverse wildlife habitat, forest products and recreational opportunities,” State Forester John Seifert said. “They also allow us to receive valuable feedback from our neighbors and users about state forest management. I encourage everyone who has an interest to participate.”
Events and open houses are (all times are Eastern):
•Jackson-Washington SF/Starve Hollow SRA, May 16, 2-5 p.m., at the Starve Hollow Forest Education Center. The center is off State Road 235, about 2 miles southeast of Vallonia, A forester-led hike starts at 4 p.m. For more information, call 812-358-3464.
•Owen-Putnam SF, May 17, 3-7 p.m. at the property office. The office is 5 miles west of Spencer and less than 1 mile north of State Road 46. For more information, call 812-829-2462. •Greene-Sullivan SF, June 29, 2-6 p.m., at the property office. The office is on State Road 159, about 1.5 miles south of Dugger. For more information, call 812-648-2810.
•Selmier SF will have a booth at the Jennings County Fair, July 3-8. The fair is on State Road 3, about 3.5 miles north of North Vernon. Call the property at 812-346-2286 to find out dates and times the booth will be manned. •Martin SF will have a booth at the Martin County Fair, July 14-18. The fairground is on U.S. Highway 50, about 2 miles east of Loogootee. Call the property at 812-247-3491 to find out dates and times the booth will be manned.
•Clark SF/Deam Lake SRA, Sept. 14, 3-6 p.m., at the Deam Lake Forest Education Center. The center is off State Road 60, about 5 miles east of Borden. An interpretive nature hike will be available. For more information, call 812-246-5421. •Harrison-Crawford SF, Sept. 26, 3-7 p.m. at the property office. The office is off State Road 462, just past the gatehouse for O’Bannon Woods State Park. For more information, call 812-738-7694.
•Ferdinand SF, Sept. 28, 3-6 p.m. at the property office. The office is off State Road 264, about 4 miles northeast of Ferdinand. For more information, call 812-367-1524.
•Salamonie River SF and Frances Slocum SF, Oct. 25, 3-6 p.m. at the Salamonie River SF office. The office is off State Road 524, about 6 miles east of Wabash. For more information, call 260-468-2125. Properties’ staffs are also available during normal business hours, and their contact information is at www.dnr.IN.gov/forestry/3631.htm The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers may contact Jack Spaulding by email at jackspaulding@hughes.net |
