Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) biologists are asking bow hunters to volunteer to count furbearer species and other wildlife for science again this fall.

 

The information helps the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife monitor species and track population trends. The collaborative project is called Archer’s Index and has existed since 1992.

Volunteers receive a standard survey sheet and instructions to record hours hunted and count sightings October to late November. “The data gathered from bow hunters helps biologists see trends over time in furbearer populations,” said Geriann Albers, furbearer biologist for the Division of Fish & Wildlife. “Without volunteers, we couldn’t capture this amount of data throughout the state within a small timeframe.”

Species recorded include badger, beaver, bobcat, bobwhite quail, coyote, deer, fox and gray squirrels, gray and red fox, grouse, domestic cat, muskrat, opossum, rabbit, raccoon, river otter, skunk and wild turkey. Previous surveys have shown downward trends in observations of red and grey fox and upward trends in bobcat sightings in the last 20 years.

The data are useful for making informed wildlife management decisions. The DNR seeks volunteers throughout the state. To volunteer, email dfw@dnr. IN.gov or call 812-334-1137. See previous Archer’s Index reports online at www.wildlife.IN.gov/3352.htm Fur, Fins and Feathers event See live raptors, go fishing, taste wild game, watch hunting dog demonstrations and more at Monroe Lake’s annual Furs, Fins and Feathers event on Sept. 16. The event is a celebration of hunting and fishing. It takes place at Paynetown State Recreation Area (SRA), 4850 S. State Road 446 in Bloomington, from 1-5 p.m.

Scheduled presentations include:

•Electrofishing demo, 1 p.m.

 

•Airborne Hunters, Part One (live owls), 1:45 p.m.

•Furs and Bones: Indiana Game Mammals, 2:30 p.m.

•Airborne Hunters, Part Two (live hawks and falcons), 3:15 p.m. Drop-in activities are:

•Hunting dog demonstrations from 1-5 p.m.

•Make a paracord fishing lure from 1-5 p.m.

•Open fishing from 2-4:30 p.m.

•“Fire and Light” from 3:30-5 p.m.

•Wild game stew from 4-5 p.m. All activities take place around the activity center and swimming beach. All materials or equipment will be provided; however, adults who wish to fish must have a fishing license. Anglers younger than age 18 do not need a license.

Presenters include Monroe Lake, Indiana Raptor Center, Indiana Falconers Assoc., Hoosier Ridge Kennels, Indiana Bass’n Gals and the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife.

For more information, contact Jill Vance, Monroe Lake interpretive naturalist at jvance@dnr.IN.gov or 812-837- 9967. The entrance fee for Paynetown SRA is $7 per in-state vehicle and $9 per out-of-state vehicle. Paynetown SRA on Monroe Lake is located at 4850 South State Road 446, Bloomington, IN 47401.

Examine your trees

Now is the time to make sure your trees are healthy, strong and pest-free. Trees serve as wind breaks and sun shields, and they muffle noise and block unsightly views. They help conserve energy and water, prevent soil erosion, provide wildlife habitat and help clean the air.

“For all trees do for us, we’re asking you to take 10 minutes to check yours,” said Megan Abraham, director of DNR Entomology & Plant Pathology. The biggest tree threat in Indiana is the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), an invasive pest that attacks 12 types of trees. ALB can devastate a community’s trees, so the DNR urges landowners to examine trees now.

ALB’s preferred host tree is maple, so check those first. Look for round exit holes, chew marks in bark, wood dust, dead branches and tunneling in cut wood or fallen branches. Also, look for adult beetles. The beetle is about 1-1.5 inches long, with six legs and a shiny, jet-black body with white spots and two long black-and-white antennae.

Once a tree is infested, it must be removed. The USDA and partners have cut down more than 178,000 infested trees in Massachusetts, Ohio and New York. “Early detection is the key,” Abraham said.

One person can make a big difference in the battle against ALB. In 2010 in Boston, a groundskeeper noticed an exit hole in a maple tree. Fortunately, only six trees were infested with ALB. Thanks to one person’s report, Boston is now ALB-free.

If you see something suspicious, report your findings by calling 866-702-9938, or report online at www.AsianLonghornedBeetle.com

Many volunteers needed to clean Monroe Lake Monroe Lake’s annual shoreline cleanup will be Sept. 10 at 1:30 p.m. Participants will board boats to travel to areas difficult to reach on foot. Because of boat capacity, space is limited.

Volunteers must register by Sept. 7. Children must be at least 10 years old to participate and be accompanied by an adult.

Registration is online at www.bit.ly/monroecleanup2017 A free cookout for the volunteers, with door prizes from J.L. Waters outdoors store, will take place after the cleanup.

The cleanup is supported by Monroe Lake, Monroe County Stormwater Services, Hoosier National Forest, the Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Monroe Boat Rental and the city of Bloomington.

For more information, contact Jill Vance at jvance@dnr.IN.gov or 812-837-9967.

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.