Seen a coyote in your neighborhood and wondered if you’re safe? Are whitetail deer, beaver or raccoons becoming a problem on your suburban property?

If so, make a note: The Indiana Depart-ment of Natural Resources (DNR) will offer the free seminar “Living with Urban Wildlife” in Fort Wayne on Oct. 14, at the Allen County extension service office at IUPU-Fort Wayne, 4001 Crescent Ave. Space is limited; call 260-481-6826, option 3, to see if you can still reserve a seat for tonight.

The program will be repeated at Clarksville on Oct. 22, from 6-8 p.m., at the Clarksville Middle School, 101 Ettles Lane. Registration by calling 812-283-5313 is required for the Clarksville site.
Attendees will learn the facts about various aspects of wildlife management, including relevant laws, basic biology and methods to control wildlife damage from animals such as those listed above, geese, coyotes and others.

“Wildlife is a valuable asset and can add a sense of tranquility in a busy neighborhood,” said Shannon Winks, the DNR urban wildlife biologist running the seminars.

“However, if not kept in check, wildlife can invade homes, eat valuable plantings and leave behind a mess.

“In the free workshop, suggestions for preventing conflicts with wildlife will be covered. We will also discuss various gadgets on the market and talk about what works and what doesn’t.”
Landowners, managers of corporate campuses or golf courses, park employees and the general public are invited.

For further information, contact Winks by phone at 812-334-1137, or by e-mail at swinks@dnr.IN.gov

Hunters help wildlife study on rabbits

The DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) is conducting a two-year study on cottontail rabbit ecology and population dynamics by examining the age structure, sex ratio and reproductive status of hunter-harvested cottontail rabbits.

The study will be used as a tool in helping the DFW better manage cottontail rabbit populations in Indiana.

The last cottontail rabbit study in Indiana was undertaken between 1962-70 at Pigeon River Fish and Wildlife Area in northeastern Indiana.

To obtain the necessary data needed to complete the study, hunters at six state-owned properties will be required by law to check in all rabbits killed on the property at the Property Headquarters, until Nov. 13. The properties and telephone numbers are; Atterbury FWA 812-526–2051; Glendale FWA 812-644–7711; J. Edward Roush Lake (Huntington Reservoir) 260-468–2165; Kingsbury FWA 219-393–3612; Mississinewa Reservoir 765-473–6528; and Patoka Lake 812-685–2464.

Hunters will only be required to check in rabbits during daily business hours, including weekends, when the property headquarters are open. Each property will post specific check station hours. If the check station is closed before a hunter is out of the field, the hunter will not need to check in his or her harvest, but must return his or her card as usual.

At each check station, property staff will record physical data on each rabbit and collect tissue samples. Hunters will not be asked to provide their licenses or any personal information when checking their harvested rabbits.

For more information on check stations or rabbit hunting on these properties, please contact each specific property. For more information about the research project, contact the cottontail rabbit research coordinator at 812-334–1137.

Ogle an owl at banding demonstrations

I have a great fascination with owls. The beautiful, haunting creatures are probably the most underutilized specie when it comes to bird watching. Only a few times in my outdoor adventures have I had the opportunity to get up close and personal with owls.
One of the most memorable was when a tiny screech owl took a perch on the phone line just outside our kitchen door. Temporarily blinded by the porch light, the tiny bundle of feathers the size of a softball showed no fear when approached.

I’m sure there are other bird lovers who would like to see owls up close and personal. Well, thanks to conservatory groups, our wildlife biologists and the Dunes State Park, the desire to ogle an owl can become a reality.

Migratory owl banding will occur nearly nightly from mid-October through early November at Indiana Dunes State Park. For the first time, visitors are invited to observe.

The process will be done in cooperation with the Friends of Indiana Dunes and the Northwest Indiana Migratory Bird Assoc. Interested owl enthusiasts can get up-close looks at the tiny northern saw-whet owl and join the park’s interpreters for any of the public demonstration nights.

Participants need to call the Nature Center for banding schedule updates, since most banding depends on favorable weather. Public demonstrations are scheduled for Oct. 23 and 27. Each starts at 7 p.m. CDT at the Nature Center.

The saw-whet owl is Indiana’s smallest owl and migrates through the state, nearly undetected, in October and November. Most Indiana birders and wildlife enthusiasts never get a chance to see them at all, let alone up close.

Anyone wishing to volunteer during the banding project or wanting more information may call 219-926-1390.

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