One continuing misconception about having individuals hunt on your land is landowner liability. Often I’ve heard the comment: “I don’t let anyone hunt on my property because I don’t want to be held liable if there is an accident.”

You must have permission! It is absolutely necessary to obtain permission from the landowner prior to hunting, fishing or trapping. Indiana law is quite clear. According to IC 14‐22‐10‐1, “a person may not hunt upon privately owned land without having the consent of the owner or tenant of the land.”

Indiana law views a landowner granting others to hunt as a “natural resource-based activity.” According to IC 34‐31‐9, natural resource‐based activities, including hunting and fishing, are considered agritourism, and an agritourism provider is a person who provides the opportunity for agritourism activities whether or not the participant pays to participate in the activity.

In the view of the legislation, there is protection for the landowner. Under Indiana law, an agritourism provider is not liable for an injury to, or the death of, a participant in agritourism activities at this location if the death or injury results from the inherent risks of agritourism activity.

Inherent risks of agritourism activities include risks of injury inherent to land, equipment and animals, as well as the potential for you to act in a negligent manner contributing to your injury or death, or for other participants to act in a manner causing your injury or death. You are assuming the risk by participating in the agritourism activity.

One way to address the liability concern is by using a “Permission To Hunt On Private Land” form. The form is available online at www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-Private_Land_Permission_Form.pdf and gives consent to others to hunt and waives the liability of the landowner.

Half of the form is given to the hunter/trapper/fisherman granting access to the property, while the rest of the form is retained by the landowner. If carried afield, the form gives the invited guest immediate proof they are allowed access rights.

Learn more about trapping

Study animal signs and learn the art of trapping at Salamonie Lake on Oct. 13-14. Indiana conservation officers will host a Trapper’s Education Course at the Salamonie Interpretive Center. The program will focus on trappers of all ages, though youth are encouraged to attend.

At 9 a.m. on Oct. 13, participants will learn about conservation, trapping issues, ethics and regulations. Trappers will get to set traps for furbearers under the instructors’ supervision.

Traps will be left overnight and checked the next day at 9 a.m. Furbearers caught will be used in skinning and fleshing demonstrations.

The program will end by approximately 4:30 p.m. each day. Trappers will not need a trapping license to attend the program. Trappers must attend both day-sessions of the course and complete a brief exam to receive the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Trapper Education Certification.

Free camping on Friday and Saturday is available for all course attendees at the Lost Bridge West Youth Campground, within walking distance of the Interpretive Center. Lunch will be provided both days. There are no costs to participate, and entrance fees will be waived for all participants.

Trappers are encouraged to dress for the weather. Waterproof knee boots or waders are recommended. Registration is required and ends Oct. 10. To register online, visit www.register-ed.com/programs/indiana

For more information or to register over the phone, contact the Upper Wabash Interpretive Services at 260-468-2127.

Fall into archery at Raccoon SRA

Raccoon State Recreation Area will offer a “Fall Introduction to Archery” program on Sept. 29. The program is taught by qualified instructors on a controlled outdoor range. Bows, arrows and targets will be provided by the park.

The event runs from 10 a.m.-noon. Participants should meet at the practice field down the path to the left of the rules board on the archery trail. There is limited parking located next to the gatehouse for the program. Maps of the archery trail are available at the gatehouse.

Grants for Wabash River projects

The DNR is seeking project proposals for the 2018-19 grant cycle for projects aimed toward increasing recreation and public access to the Wabash River. A total of $300,000 in grant funds is available from the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Fund (WRHCF).

Projects must be within one mile of the Wabash River. Projects including the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission’s (WRHCC) top priorities of public access, trails or camping along the river will be favored during the selection process. Grant awards can range between $50,000-$150,000.

Interested communities must submit their applications to the DNR Division of Outdoor Recreation no later than Oct. 1. The awards will be announced in January. A grant manual with detailed information and criteria is at www.dnr.IN.gov/outdoor/4067.htm

Youth deer hunts, reduction zones

From Sept. 29-30, youth age 17 or younger on the date of the hunt may participate, but must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years of age.

The youth hunter must possess a valid license for hunting deer (youth hunt/trap or other) while in the field unless exempt from needing a license. The youth’s adult partner must possess a valid hunting license of any type other than an apprentice license. All hunters must wear hunter orange.

In addition to statewide bag limits, deer reduction zones, previously called urban deer zones, give hunters opportunities to harvest deer in defined urban areas with high deer densities. The Reduction Zone season runs through Jan. 31, 2019.

The bag limit for the Reduction Zones is 10 deer, of which only one can be antlered. Individuals hunting in a designated Reduction Zone who are attempting to satisfy the Reduction Zone bag limit must harvest an antlerless deer before harvesting an antlered deer (aka earn-a-buck).

The earn-a-buck requirement only applies to the Reduction Zone bag limit. This bag limit is in addition to all other bag limits.

A Reduction Zone license has been established to replace previous requirements to possess a regular archery, extra archery or bonus antlerless license. The Reduction Zone license allows an individual to harvest one deer per license in a defined Reduction Zone.

Hunters attempting to satisfy the Reduction Zone bag limits must have a Reduction Zone, resident youth hunt/trap, lifetime comprehensive hunting or lifetime comprehensive hunting/fishing license, or meet a license exemption. The bundle license is not valid when working toward the Reduction Zone bag limit.

Reduction Zone licenses are not permitted on Division of Fish & Wildlife properties. Deer Reduction Zones may be altered annually at the DNR director’s discretion based on deer population management needs. Visit www.wildlife.IN.gov/8534.htm to see a current map and zone descriptions.

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.