Indiana upland hunters will have the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) put-and-take hunts to look forward to again this year. A couple of things are different than in years past, starting with the price.

The fee for put-and-take pheasant hunts at DNR Fish & Wildlife Areas (FWAs) will increase from $25 to $28 for the 2015-16 season. The fee increase is necessary due to increasing costs in acquiring pheasants.

The other change is the manner of registering for the hunts. Hunters can reserve put-and-take pheasant hunts at www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/5834.htm from Sept. 1 until midnight on Nov. 29. Registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis; however, hunts cannot be reserved in person at the property.

Pheasants are released for put-and-take hunting on Atterbury, Glendale, J.E. Roush Lake, Pigeon River (west of State Road 3), Tri-County, Willow Slough and Winamac FWAs. The bag limit is two birds of either sex, except at Pigeon River, Willow Slough and Winamac, where the limit is two roosters only.

Tree-stand and ground-blind

rules change

Hoosier deer hunters intending to hunt from deer stands or ground blinds on state-owned property will want to make note of a couple of minor changes. The date range to set up and leave portable tree stands and ground blinds on state and federal lands is now noon on Sept. 15 through Jan. 10 of the following year.

Another change put into effect for the upcoming seasons is hunters can now mark their stands and blinds with their DNR-issued customer identification number or their name and address. The previous rule allowed hunters to leave portable tree stands or blinds overnight on state and federal properties between Sept. 1-Jan. 10 and required the owner to mark the blind with their name, address and telephone number.

Any tree stand or ground blind placed before noon on Sept. 15 on state- and federal-owned lands is subject to removal. All blinds and stands must be removed by Jan. 11. Tree and ground blinds may not be permanent. Fasteners or pole climbers cannot enter the tree more than 1/2-inch.

For questions on hunting regulations at a specific property, contact each property directly. A list of all DNR-owned properties can be found online at www.in.gov/dnr/3233.htm

Indiana Dunes’ 3 Dune

Challenge, and anniversary

The popular and serious 3 Dune Challenge at Indiana Dunes State Park gives visitors spectacular views, wildlife encounters and a healthy hike. With a new program at the Dunes, visitors can lend a hand from Aug. 24-Sept. 7, during the 3 Dune Cleanup Challenge.

The 3 Dune Cleanup Challenge is a chance to help clean the popular route and take home an extra incentive for doing so. The Challenge, which began last year, was designed to give park visitors a chance to tackle the toughest fitness experience in the dunes.

To complete the 3 Dune Challenge, a person must run or hike a 1.5-mile course at Indiana Dunes State Park on Trail 8, climbing Mount Jackson (elevation 176 feet), Mount Holden (184 feet) and Mount Tom (192 feet). Visitors who complete the challenge can receive free commemorative stickers and postcards, or buy a special shirt at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center.

Thousands of dune conquerors have visited the vistas atop each dune; however, the challenge’s popularity has come at a cost, as evidenced by the empty water bottles on the ground throughout the route.

Dune hikers checking in at the state park Nature Center between Aug. 24-Sept. 7 may take a trash bag with them as they complete the challenge. The bag may be returned along with the trash collected,  for a free reusable metal water bottle from the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center as a thank you for helping keep the 3 Dune Challenge clean.

The challenge has brought greater awareness to the creation of the dunes and the stewardship necessary for taking care of them, according to Ginger Murphy, assistant director of stewardship for Indiana State Parks. “When people know about things, they learn to care about them,” she said.

For more details, visit www.indiana dunes.com/3dc or call 800-283-8687. Indiana Dunes State Park is located at 1600 North 25 E. Chesterton, IN 46304.

Indiana Dunes State Park will also celebrate 90 years as a state park with an official birthday party on Aug. 29. Activities will take place at the beach beginning at 10 a.m.

Park staff will make comments, followed by cake and refreshments courtesy of the Friends of Indiana Dunes group. Beach photos from the past will be on display, and park naturalists will offer a 90 years history hike.

“In a ceremony on August 29, 90 years ago, the first 110 acres of land were purchased as Indiana Dunes State Park, “said Brad Bumgardner, Indiana Dunes State Park interpretive naturalist. “This original purchase grew into 2,182 acres that more than a million visitors enjoy each year.”

The celebration is free, after paying the standard gate entrance fee of $7 per in-state vehicle or $12 per out-of-state vehicle.

Program support is made possible by the Friends of Indiana Dunes group. For more information, call the Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center at 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 email at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.