On the next day of our canoe trip from Moscow to Columbus, we stopped early in the afternoon and put up camp at the top of a huge gravel bar on a large island.

While Steve gathered firewood for a campfire, I set about catching the main course for our evening dinner.

My light spin cast rod tipped with a small crawdad0colored Mepps spinner soon put a couple 1 ½ pound smallmouth on the bank. Using one of our paddles for a fillet board, they were quickly turned into boneless fillets. Teamed with fried potatoes in an iron skillet, it made for a memorable meal.

During the day’s run on Big Flatrock, we came to an interesting feature on the river. Below a swift run and alongside a large quiet pool, there was a large outcropping of limestone on the east side of the river. It was about four feet above the river and formed a large natural platform.  From the limestone cliff on the backside of the platform, there was a spring of water at waist height coming from the rocks and squirting out onto the platform… not unlike water spewing from a garden hose.

We could see two ancient pathways from either side of the platform leading up the steep hillside. Following one of the pathways, we came to an open farm field. At our feet were several flint chips and a broken spear point. Looks like the ancient ones took advantage of the clear spring for many years.

We weren’t the first to travel this way!

Reserved hunt applications for December Gamebird Areas and Indiana Private Land hunts

Hunters can now apply for Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reserved hunts at GoOutdoorsIN.com. Reserved hunts included in this round include December Gamebird Areas and Indiana Private Lands Access (IPLA) hunts.

The online application method is the only way to apply for the hunts listed. No late entries will be accepted. Applicants must possess a hunting license valid for the hunt for which they apply. A $1 tech fee is charged for each hunt application purchased.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on Oct. 29. A complete list of hunts available is at on.IN.gov/reservedhunt.

In December 2024 a new license system, the Activity Hub, replaced the former system. To purchase a license or apply for a reserved hunt, follow the instructions below. Allow yourself plenty of time to log in and learn how the system works.

Click the login button on the home page of GoOutdoorsIN.com. From there, you will be taken to Access Indiana, where you will be required to log in or create an account. Once logged in through Access Indiana, you will automatically be directed back to the Activity Hub. From there, you will be able to purchase a license and apply for reserved hunts. Note: If it’s your first time using the Activity Hub, you will need to look yourself up in the system and verify or correct your personal information.

Hunters at each participating property will be selected through random computerized draws and will be able to view results at GoOutdoorsIN.com. An email will be sent to all applicants when the drawings have been completed.

Reserved hunts in this application period include:

December Gamebird Area (GBA) Hunts in Benton, Jasper, Newton, Warren and White counties. Hunters may choose from a variety of hunt dates in December. The hunts are not put/take pheasant hunts.

IPLA hunts for deer muzzleloader/archery in LaPorte, Cass, Sullivan, Scott, Harrison and Bartholomew counties.

IPLA hunts for waterfowl in DeKalb, Sullivan and Batholomew counties.

IPLA hunts for small game in Scott, Sullivan, DeKalb, Noble, Stueben, Green and Pike counties.

B&O Trail Extension opens

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), B&O Trail Association (BOTA), and Speedway Trails Association (STA) celebrated the opening of B&O Trail extensions Oct. 8 with a ribbon cutting. The event was held at the trail access point near Chapel Rock Christian Church in Indianapolis.

“Trails are about more than just miles and pavement – they make vital connections between people, communities, and the great outdoors,” said Alan Morrison, DNR director. “This new connection through the B&O Trail provides a great way to gain exercise and experience the benefits of Indiana’s growing trail system, which is why DNR has provided support for this trail’s construction all along the way.”

More than 6.1 miles of asphalt multi-use trail was constructed by BOTA and STA with help from two trail grants totaling $9,166,100, administered by the DNR. The projects filled critical gaps within the B&O Trail and extended it on both sides, creating a long, continuous trail for Hoosiers and visitors to use and enjoy.

BOTA is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization formed in 1993 to create a recreational trail along the abandoned B&O Railroad corridor. It completed 8.2 miles of paved trail in Hendricks County and is finalizing completion of a new trailhead at County Road 500E just west of Brownsburg.

STA, established in 2007, had previously constructed 3 miles of trail on the west side of Indianapolis, running from Michigan Street to High School Road. With the addition, the B&O Trail encompasses 8 miles in Marion County.

“This marks the realization of a vision we’ve worked toward for decades – closing the gap and connecting communities along the B&O Trail,” said Jeff Smallwood, BOTA president. “This new section links Speedway with Hendricks County and brings us one step closer to a continuous trail from the White River in downtown Indianapolis to west of the Wabash River.”

Bev Katterhenry, spokesperson for the STA, added, “Completion of this 3-mile gap allows the B&O Trail in Speedway to fully connect to the Hendricks County portion. The result is nearly 17 miles of continuous trail that links the Indianapolis Cultural Trail through Speedway and into central Hendricks County.”

‘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.