Monday, November 17, is National Take a Hike Day. You can celebrate at Clifty Falls State Park by joining the naturalist at the Clifty Shelter at 10 a.m. for an hour-long moderately rugged hike to see one of the most scenic sections of Clifty Canyon. On the hike you’ll see Big Clifty Falls, Little Clifty Falls, and several other small waterfalls. For more information on the hike and other upcoming programs, visit on.IN.gov/cliftyfalls.

Sportsmen Take Note - Buy Your Hunting License Early

Don’t wait – log in to the new system now! This is a big change from license sales in the past for Hoosier hunters!  The change is because Indiana DNR’s new license system, the Activity Hub, is very different from the previous system, the DNR encourages hunters to log in and make sure your account is ready to go. Acting now leaves you plenty of time to contact the DNR or visit a retailer if you encounter issues. The DNR anticipates a high volume of traffic on the website on November 14-16. 

For questions about checking in game, your online account, or license-purchasing errors, call 317-232-4200 or 877-463-6367 or email INHuntFish@dnr.IN.gov.

Free Youth Hunting Days

If you know a youngster who’s curious about hunting, take them out for Free Youth Hunting Days on Saturday, November 29, and on Sunday, November 30.

The two free days offer any youth (17 years or younger) the opportunity to hunt in-season game species, such as deer, squirrel, and rabbit, without needing to purchase a hunting license. All youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years old and has a valid hunting license (unless exempt from needing a license under regular season guidelines).

If you previously had a child or other person linked to your account, you will need to re-establish the link in DNR’s new license system. In the previous system, anyone younger than 18 years old qualified for a youth account. In the new system, this has been lowered to youth under 13 years old. The change will impact how you manage a child’s account. Find out more at: https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/hunting-and-trapping/youth-hunts/

Free Admission To DNR Properties For Veterans & Active-Duty Military

All veterans and active-duty military personnel, and everyone accompanying them in their vehicle, will be admitted free to DNR-managed state parks, reservoir properties, state forest recreation areas, and off-road state recreation areas on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11.This includes admission to Falls of the Ohio State Park’s Interpretive Center.

Veterans and military personnel should simply tell the gate attendant at the property they are either a veteran or serving and on active duty.

Fall Fish Stockings

From October to mid-November, the DNR stocks several fish species into Indiana waters, including catchable-sized channel catfish, brown trout, and rainbow trout.

More than 130 locations will be stocked with 7- to 11-inch channel catfish. Rainbow trout (averaging 10 inches) will be stocked in seven locations, and brown trout (measuring 7-8 inches) are planned to be stocked in 12 locations. Catfish and trout will primarily be stocked in urban waters due to the cooler temperatures of the waters.

Additionally, smaller panfish, walleye, and muskie will be stocked in the fall, but they will need several years to reach harvestable sizes. While the fish won’t be catchable right away, they are being stocked for DNR fisheries management goals and hatchery capacity.

Fish stocking plans are based on recommendations from fisheries biologists, providing the best chance of enhancing sport fishing opportunities for anglers. Stocking dates vary depending on weather conditions and water temperatures. More information on stocking can be found online at:

https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/fishing/indiana-fish-stocking/

‘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.