With the deer reduction zone hunting season and the statewide archery deer both underway, Indiana Conservation Officers remind hunters to stay safe.  More than 300,000 people are expected to participate in some form of deer hunting in Indiana during the various deer hunting seasons running through Jan. 31. and the overwhelming majority will do so safely.

When injuries occur, the most common are from accidents involving hunting from tree stands and elevated platforms. To avoid such injuries, hunters should follow the safety tips listed below when hunting from an elevated position.

Before the hunt:

Read and understand the tree stand manufacturer’s instructions.

Check tree stands and equipment for wear; fatigue; and cracks or loose nuts and bolts, paying particularly close attention to parts made of material other than metal.

Pack and plan to use equipment specifically designed for hunting.

Practice trees stand use and setup at ground level.

Learn how to properly wear your full-body safety harness.

During the hunt:

Wear your full-body safety harness.

Use boots with nonslip soles.

Use a tree stand safety rope.

Make sure to attach your harness to the tree before leaving the ground, and it remains attached to the tree until you return to the ground.

Maintain three points of contact during ascent and descent.

Use a haul line to raise and lower firearms, bows and other hunting gear.

Make sure firearms are unloaded, action is open, and safety is on before attaching them to the haul line.

When doing any kind of hunting, remember to do the following to stay safe:

Carry a cellphone and flashlight.

Make a plan before you hunt.

Tell someone your plan, including where you will be hunting and when you plan to return.

Stick to your plan.

Identify game before pointing a weapon.

Know your target and what is beyond it.

Natural Resources Commission Seeks Input On Proposed Changes To Rehabilitation Of Deer

The Indiana Natural Resources Commission has opened its first public comment period for proposed changes on deer rehabilitation in (CWD) Positive Areas. The proposed changes would require sick, injured, or orphaned white-tailed deer found in a CWD Positive Area to be given to a permitted wildlife rehabilitator only within the area or to a rehabilitator within the county where the deer was found. Changes are also proposed for permitted wildlife rehabilitators to release deer obtained from a CWD Positive Area only within the area.

Currently, the CWD Positive Area includes LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb counties; learn more at on.IN.gov/CWD.

Earlier this year, a provisional rule was approved establishing the provisions for no more than 180 days, and it expires Jan. 5, 2025. Therefore, the NRC is requesting input on the proposed permanent rule changes.

Public comments can be submitted at https://www.IN.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket/ by clicking on “Submit Comments Here” under the Chronic Wasting Disease Rule Amendment. Comments may also be mailed to: Natural Resources Commission, Indiana Government Center North, 100 North Senate Ave., Room N103, Indianapolis, IN 46204

The deadline for submitting public comments is Nov. 12. A public hearing will also be held on Nov. 12, between 5-7 p.m. ET at the Northeast Regional DNR office located at 1353 Governor’s Drive in Columbia City, IN 46725. Interested members of the public can attend in person or online anytime during the timeframe.

For questions related to wildlife rehabilitators, contact Linnea Petercheff, Permit Supervisor, at lpetercheff@dnr.IN.gov or 317-233-6527.

Interurban Trail Extension Opens In Bluffton

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the city of Bluffton celebrated the opening of the Interurban Trail extension and Lancaster Park.

The 1.06-mile asphalt multi-use trail was constructed by the city of Bluffton with help from a $404,035 Next Level Trails (NLT) grant. 

“The extension of the Interurban Trail and the construction of Bluffton’s new Lancaster Park provide more than just new green spaces for Hoosiers to get out and enjoy,” said Dan Bortner, DNR director. “Having connections and places like this to come together within a community help bring together and foster the kind of quality of life people crave. DNR is proud to support the important projects in Bluffton.”

The new trail extends the existing Interurban Trail north from its current terminus at Monroe Street. The extension follows State Road 1, ending south of Jackson Street. With completion of the newest extension, the total length of the Interurban Trail is now more than 3 miles, connecting the Wabash River to Lancaster Park.

The trail is a segment of the larger 81-mile Poka-Bache Trail project which will eventually connect Ouabache State Park to Pokagon State Park.

‘till next time,  

Jack

Readers can contact the author by writing to this publication or e-mail Jack at jackspaulding1971@outlook.com 

Spaulding’s books, “The Best Of Spaulding Outdoors” and “The Coon Hunter And The Kid” are available from Amazon.com as a paperback or Kindle download.