News of the change in federal status of Indiana’s bald eagle brought mixed reaction to conservation-minded people.

Actually, the change in status reflects the great national success of the reintroduction of the bald eagle, and the species will continue to have strict protection in Indiana.

The success the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has had reintroducing bald eagles locally demonstrates the rationale of the recent move by United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), which announced on June 28 it will remove the iconic birds from the federal “threatened” designation of the Endangered Species Act, effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

Bald eagles are still listed as state-endangered in Indiana but, as a reaction to the national change, the state’s DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Wildlife Diversity Section plans to change the classification to “Species of Special Concern.” The new designation means bald eagles will still be a priority species, and monitoring and management of the species will continue, but to a lesser degree.

The federal recovery goal for Indiana was to have five nesting pairs of bald eagles in the state by 2000. An active state restoration from 1985-89, when 73 young eagles were reintroduced, formed a core population in south-central Indiana. The first successful nests in the state in more than 90 years were documented in 1991.

As long as the bald eagle remained on the federal threatened list, by state law they needed to remain on the state endangered list. The Nongame Bird Technical Advisory Committee to the Wildlife Diversity Section recommended removing bald eagles from the state list once a nesting population of at least 50 pairs was being maintained in Indiana.

The standard was first achieved in 2004, and the population continues to increase annually. This year, there are 85 known eagle territories in 42 counties, producing 123 eaglets.

The excellent production of recent years should result in further increases. As a result, with federal de-listing, Indiana will begin the process of removing bald eagles from the state list.

In Indiana and elsewhere, additional eagle habitat is available, especially as bald eagles have shown increased adaptability to the Hoosier landscape and disturbance factors. Hoosier landowners have shown a great willingness to voluntarily protect eagle nests on their property.

 More than any other recovered species, the bald eagle demonstrates the power of partnerships in conservation. The success of bald eagles in Indiana is due in large part to individual citizen donations to the Nongame Fund, either directly or through the income tax checkoff.

“Everyone who has supported the Nongame Fund through the years can take great pride in this achievement,” said Rob Carter, DNR director. “The eagle, once a sign of imperiled wildlife, will now be the sign of conservation success.

“With the continued support of our citizens, we can restore even more state-endangered species. Look for the eagle on your income tax return, and join a winning team in saving Indiana’s wildlife heritage.”

Carter also noted DNR has successfully worked with USFWS and Hoosier landowners to make sure breeding pairs have had every chance to succeed.

“As our national symbol, this is a special bird and landowners have shown great pride and cooperation in having nesting eagles,” he said. “We expect that to continue.”

Despite the classification change, bald eagles will still be protected under both the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Guidelines have also been developed to avoid disturbance to nesting eagles.

“The eagle restoration project has been a gratifying highlight of my career,” said Dr. John Castrale, DNR nongame bird biologist. “I hope all cooperating landowners and Nongame Fund supporters have the thrill of seeing an adult bald eagle in flight over one of Indiana’s lakes or rivers.

“These majestic birds would not be there without their support.”

Cabela’s King Kat tournament

The Cabela’s King Kat tournament trail will hit the waters of the Ohio River at Henderson, Ky., on Aug. 4.

Catfish anglers from around the country will be competing for cash, prizes and a chance to advance to the Cabela’s King Kat Classic to be held at Milford Lake in Junction City, Kan. The tournament will offer a guaranteed payback of $5,000 to the top 10 percent of the field.

Teams will consist of one or two persons, with one exception – a third person may accompany the team, provided the third person is under 16 or over 65 years of age. Entry fees for the qualifier tournaments are $200 per team.

The tournament weigh-in will be held at Riverfront Park in Henderson. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. All anglers must be in the weigh-in line by 4 p.m., with a five-fish limit per team.
To help preserve the sport, only live fish will be weighed in and all fish will be released after the tournament. For a complete list of rules, phone or visit the website listed below.

Participants may enter by mail or at the late registration to be held at the host hotel, the Super 8 at Henderson, on Friday from 5-7 p.m. or at the mandatory meeting at 5:30 a.m. the day of the tournament, at the weigh-in site. Deadline for mail-in entries is 14 days prior to the event. All entries after that date will pay a $25 late fee.

Catfish clubs and organizations may register with the King Kat Tournament Trail and qualify their top two teams from each event to fish in the Cabela’s King Kat Classic, for their support in promoting the tournament trail. To register, call 270-395-6774 or e-mail dvan vactor@kingkatusa.com

For entry forms or information on Cabela’s King Kat Trail, phone 270-395-6774, fax 270-395-4381 or visit www.kingkatusa.com online.

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 can contact Jack Spaulding by e-mail at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.