Are you prepared for deer hunting? Make sure to bring and wear your blaze orange item of clothing, your firearm or bow and a print or digital copy of your hunting license.

If you haven’t bought your deer license yet, consider buying DNR’s Deer License Bundle for the season. The Deer License Bundle includes privileges to harvest either a total of two antlerless deer plus one antlered deer. It may be used in the special youth, archery, firearms, muzzleloader, and special antlerless deer seasons.

For younger hunters, 2024’s final free youth hunting days are Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. Find more information on our youth hunts webpage.

Search no more. For questions about equipment, regulations, or which license you need, use the Deer Hotline by calling 812-334-3795 or emailing indeerhotline@dnr.IN.gov.

For questions related to the CheckIN Game system, your online license system account, license-purchasing errors, or deer control permits, email inhuntfish@dnr.IN.gov or call 317-232-4082.

Remember to buy your deer license early. Find a list of license retailers online and be sure to check your license for accuracy before you leave the store. If you plan to purchase your license online, log into your Access Indiana account before the season begins – don’t risk delays.

 

DNR to stock channel catfish statewide

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources will stock 157 locations with approximately 51,000 catfish this fall to expand angling opportunities across the state.

All stocked channel catfish will be stocked in publicly accessible waters after being raised by state biologists at Cikana Fish Hatchery in Morgan County, Driftwood Fish Hatchery in Jackson County, and East Fork Fish Hatchery in Daviess County. All stocking locations should receive catfish by early November, with quantities subject to change due to production variables. The catfish range in size from 8-10 inches long.

“Once stocked, they acclimate to their new environment quickly, they shouldn’t take long to start biting,” said fisheries biologist Dave Kittaka.

Anglers are required to follow bag and size restrictions. In most lakes and reservoirs, the statewide regulation is 10 channel catfish per day with no more than one being longer than 28 inches. A few lakes have a different bag limit, and they are listed in the Fishing Guide, as well as at eregulations.com/indiana/fishing/basic-fishing-information under Special Regulations Waters.

All channel catfish stocking locations and estimated numbers are listed, subject to change, at on.IN.gov/fish-stocking.

 

Indiana’s Sandhill crane migration

Each fall, thousands of Sandhill cranes visit the marsh at Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area as they migrate, and their visits make for a prime wildlife viewing opportunity from our observation deck.

To spot the flocks of cranes, we recommend visiting Jasper-Pulaski FWA until mid-December at sunrise or sunset. The observation deck has a few stationary viewing scopes available, but bringing your own spotting scope or binoculars may enhance your viewing experience.

If you can’t make it to the area, you can follow along with our Sandhill crane counts, which are updated weekly during the migratory season.

 

Leave your leaves

Instead of raking and bagging leaves this fall, consider allowing them to stay and naturally decay. Fallen leaves, plant stems, flower heads, twigs, and logs provide crucial winter habitat for Indiana’s wildlife.

The warmth and cover of leaves provides shelter for Eastern box turtles, salamanders, and frogs, as well as insulation for butterflies and moths. Leaf piles can even benefit landscaping, as they can suppress weeds, retain moisture, and add nutrients to the soil as they decay. Leaves don’t have to be left exactly where they fall – you can rake them into flower beds and around tree bases.

 

Indiana State Parks new survey

What do you think about Indiana State Parks? The Indiana DNR wants your feedback on your favorite activities and priorities for management of state parks.

“Indiana State Parks belong to all of us as Hoosiers,” said Ginger Murphy, deputy director for stewardship for Indiana State Parks. “We continue to look to the future and want ideas and thoughts from Hoosiers about their interests and priorities for our parks. We really appreciate all who take the time to complete the survey.”

The survey is available at dnr.IN.gov/state-parks/about-us/whats-new and will be open for completion through Dec. 1. It should take about 10-15 minutes to complete.

Indiana’s DNR conducted a similar survey five years ago. Survey results will be used to help the DNR plan future facilities and services at Indiana State Parks.

Questions ask guests to rate service, value, and facilities at state park properties and inns. The survey also asks users where they would like Indiana State Parks to devote future resources. For individuals who don’t visit Indiana State Park properties they are also offered ways to respond in the survey.

Participants will be eligible for drawings for 2025 annual entrance passes, camping gift cards, and inns gift cards.

‘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.