On the first night of our canoe trip from Moscow to Columbus on the Big Flatrock River, we ran way past dark.

Following the incident of the smallmouth bass jumping into the canoe, we began urgently seeking out a spot to spend the night. It was a clear night with no possible rain and the low temperature was going to be in the 60’s, but we weren’t interested in sleeping in the canoe.

In the faint light on the river, we saw an island looming up ahead.  It will be our home for the night.

Pulling the canoe ashore, I began to set up the tent while my good friend Steve Owen began gathering firewood. I lit the Coleman gas lantern, and we soon had a small campfire going. I got out the iron skillet and bacon and proceeded to fry enough for a couple of sandwiches for each of us.

We were really tired from the first day on the river and once we were in our sleeping bags, we nodded off quickly.

In the early hours of dawn, I looked out of the tent and thought I was dreaming.  There was Steve, bare-chested and wearing only his cutoffs poking at the fire. He was smeared from head to toe with Calamine lotion. Walking out of the tent, I soon realized why Steve was covered in pink Calamine lotion… the island was covered with poison ivy and I mean covered! To this day, I have never seen such a proliferation of poison ivy. It was across the ground and up every tree. It was everywhere.

Steve was very allergic to poison ivy. Fortunately, I had outgrown an extreme childhood allergy to poison ivy but it was getting put to the test.

Packing up camp and loading the canoe, we both got in the river and washed ourselves thoroughly from head to toe with river water. Urishiol, the irritant in poison ivy is slightly water soluble and can be washed off.

Without further ado, we bid farewell to Poison Ivy Island and continued on our way to Columbus, swearing we would find a better campsite before dark.

 

Bonus antlerless bag limits lowered in seven Indiana counties

Because of the impact of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) on the deer herd in southern Indiana this year, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources is reducing the county antlerless bag limits in Bartholomew, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Martin, Scott and Switzerland counties.

Jennings County’s antlerless bag limit is reduced from four antlerless deer to two antlerless deer for the upcoming hunting season.

Jackson, Scott and Jefferson counties’ antlerless bag limit is reduced from four antlerless deer to three antlerless deer per county for the upcoming hunting season.

Bartholomew, Martin and Switzerland counties’ antlerless bag limit is reduced from three antlerless deer to two antlerless deer per county for the upcoming hunting season.

The statewide antlerless bag limit remains six. Changes to the county antlerless bag limit will not affect the Deer Reduction Zones. For more information on the county antlerless bag limit reduction, see on.IN.gov/EHD-quotas.

Humans are not at risk for contracting EHD. EHD is a viral disease commonly affecting white-tailed deer and is transmitted by biting midges, aka “no-see-ums.” Cases typically occur during late summer and early fall, and there is evidence outbreaks can be more severe in years when there is a wet spring followed by a hot, dry summer. EHD is often fatal to deer, but some can recover and develop immunity.

Deer infected with EHD may display unusual behaviors such as lethargy, excessive salivation or disorientation. EHD also causes fever in deer, which can cause them to seek water. As a result, many deer dying from EHD are found in or near open water sources like ponds and rivers.

Anyone who finds a deer showing signs of EHD or found dead in water is asked to report it at on.IN.gov/sickwildlife.

DNR monitors for EHD annually; however, the severity of EHD in a single year depends on weather, immunity, location and other factors.

The effects of EHD will be evaluated after deer hunting season, and additional changes will be considered for the 2026-2027 hunting season. EHD detections can be continually monitored at on.IN.gov/EHD.

Not every deer in an affected area will contract EHD. One sign a deer has recovered from EHD is sloughing or breaking on their hooves. DNR asks successful hunters use the Deer After Hunt Survey to report the condition of their deer’s hooves, including both normal hooves and hooves showing evidence of sloughing or damage.

Waterfowl season taking flight

From breakfast in the blind to celebrating a full strap with your fellow hunters, waterfowl hunting is one of the most social and fun-filled outdoor activities. Do you have your ducks in a row for the season?

The DNR has a new license system, the Activity Hub. Getting your account set up now, as well as making sure you have the required hunting licenses, stamps, and HIP registration number, will give you plenty of room to troubleshoot, ask for help, or visit a retailer if needed.

To log in:

• Go to GoOutdoorsIN.com and click the Login button.

• You’ll be directed to Access Indiana, where you’ll log in or create an account.

• Once logged in, you’ll be returned to the Hub to verify your personal info, purchase licenses and apply for reserved hunts.

Need help or have questions? Call: 317-232-4200 or 877-463-6367 or email INHuntFish@dnr.IN.gov.

For a full list of waterfowl hunting dates, regulations, and an outline of which stamps are needed for each age group, take a look at the Indiana Hunting and Trapping Guide.

‘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.