After many attempts, the reduced-price fishing license for Indiana residents over the age of 65 will become a reality.

In the past, Indiana seniors were not required to purchase a fishing license. The freedom to fish for free sounds noble and seems to be a gracious offering for older citizens, but it left the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) financial coffers suffering.

The greatest impact was not from the amount the sale of fishing licenses to seniors would generate, but the loss of Dingell-Johnson tax revenues from the federal government. Dingell-Johnson taxes are levied on fishing equipment, rods, reels, lures and boat fuel and collected by the federal government to be divided to the individual states’ DNR offices based on the number of licensed anglers.

Unfortunately, since Indiana did not charge and issue a license for the state’s seniors, Indiana’s cut of the tax apportionment was greatly diminished. All revenue due for Indiana’s unlicensed senior anglers were distributed to other states.

Each senior citizen’s purchase of a discounted fishing license will bring the state an additional $7.90 of federal money, starting April 1, 2008, as the result of the bill signed by Gov. Mitch Daniels on March 30.

The funding will go toward sport fish restoration programs and expanding and maintaining public access to lakes and streams throughout the state.

With the change, state residents born after March 31, 1943, must buy either a $3 senior license each year (lower than any neighboring state’s fee) or a one-time $17 “Fish For Life” senior license to be able to fish in public waters.

The $17 fee is the same price 64-year-old anglers currently pay for their yearly licenses; however, the Fish for Life license would be the last fishing license they would ever need to purchase in Indiana.

“Governor Daniels, the General Assembly and our organized sportsmen’s groups really stepped up to help make this happen, and we owe them our thanks,” said Rob Carter, DNR director.
“We hope the low cost won’t cause any hardships for our dedicated senior anglers.”

Indiana anglers born before April 1, 1943, will be exempt from having to buy either of the two discounted senior licenses.
In other words, no senior who currently fishes public waters at no charge would be affected by the new law, except by reaping benefits gained from the future use of the additional federal funding.

Approximately 5,460 Hoosier anglers, age 64, bought 2006 Indiana fishing licenses. If the same number were to buy senior licenses in 2008, the state would gain $43,000 from the federal government. In 10 years, the total would swell to $2.3 million.

DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife statistics show approximately 90,000 Indiana seniors were fishing in the state last year.

DNR maintains more than 350 fishing sites, but many lakes and streams still lack public access. Additional funds are needed to purchase lands from willing sellers and to construct boat ramps, parking lots, entrance roads and ADA-accessible facilities. In addition, increased funding is needed for maintenance projects at the access sites, including the periodic rebuilding of worn-out ramps.

DNR operates eight fish hatcheries providing more than 20 million fish of 15 different species for stocking in public waters each year.
The two newest hatcheries are 20 years old. Others date back to early in the last century.

As facilities age, repair costs mount. Without reinvestment, made possible by the new legislation, the hatcheries would not be able to adequately supply tomorrow’s anglers.

Conservation officer bags poacher for deer

A 19-year-old Wabash County deer hunter was ordered to pay nearly $1,800 after recently pleading guilty to two charges of unlawful taking of buck deer.

Dwayne Jones of Somerset entered a guilty plea in Wabash County Superior Court after Conservation Officer Jerry Hoerdt of North Manchester received information implicating Jones and two others in a plan to overbag on antlered deer.

Hoerdt stated Jones wanted a trophy buck but was unwilling to pass up the smaller bucks, ultimately leading him to harvesting three times the annual bag limit for antlered deer. Jones resorted to conspiring with two other people close to him to purchase licenses and unlawfully tag the smaller bucks as though they had killed the deer.

In addition to fines and court costs, Jones was placed on probation for one year and given a 180-day suspended jail sentence.

Turkey hunting lessons at O’Bannon Woods

Hunters will have the opportunity to learn turkey hunting basics, from calls to decoys, to blinds and equipment, at O’Bannon Woods State Park on April 14 from 1-4 p.m.

Calling demonstrations and proper use of calls will be covered. The workshop, which costs $10 per person, will not get you your bird, but it will increase your chances for success. Prizes will be given.

Advance registration is required. To do so, or for a full descriptive schedule of all other Wyandotte Adventure Outings, contact the park’s interpretive center at 812-738-8234 or visit www.interpretive services.IN.gov

O’Bannon Woods observes Eastern Daylight Saving Time. The park is located 10 miles west of Corydon, on Highway 462, off State Highway 62.

Lieber SRA’s trash bash

It’ll be spring-cleaning time at Lieber State Recreation Area on April 21, when the property management and the Army Corps of Engineers host a trash cleanup around Cagle’s Mill Lake.
People interested in helping should dress appropriately for the weather and meet at 10 a.m. at the Lieber SRA service area. Trash bags will be furnished.

The program is designed to promote keeping Cagles Mill Lake Area clean and beautiful. All individuals and groups are welcome. The program will be canceled if it rains.

Wildflower weekend at Harmonie State Park

Reconnect with nature and ring in spring with a weekend of wildflower identifying, hiking, crafts and a seed swap at Harmonie State Park, April 13-15.

Activities begin April 13 with an afternoon wildflower-identifying session and hike.

Most activities are at the Nature Center in the campground and on area trails, but you don’t have to camp to participate.

All audiences are welcome, though children younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments can contact Jack Spaulding by e-mail at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.