192,000 birds moved since the 1950s

When people ask me about the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), I simply reply, “I’m a member.”

The NWTF has been primarily an organization supportive of trap and transfer operations which helped create the modern-day turkey hunting opportunities we enjoy in the United States today. The NWTF is a viable organization producing successful projects, one right after another.

One of its longest ongoing projects is “Making Tracks.” Last year, the Making Tracks program helped wildlife agencies relocate more than 3,000 wild turkeys into areas of suitable habitat.

Wildlife agencies and NWTF volunteers from 19 U.S. states and three states in Mexico participated in this year’s trap-and-transfer efforts. Kansas led the way this year with 400 Rio Grande wild turkeys transferred within the borders of the Sunflower State.
“Trap-and-transfer is the heart of wild turkey restoration,” said Dr. James Earl Kennamer, NWTF senior vice president for conservation programs.

“It is the only turkey restoration method that works, and is responsible for the healthy populations we have today.”

In areas where they are abundant, wild turkeys are usually trapped via nets propelled or dropped over a feeding flock. Trapped birds are individually placed in specialized transport boxes, and then released in areas of suitable habitat with few or no wild turkeys. The NWTF routinely provides trapping equipment and transfer boxes and helps coordinate wild turkey transfers between states, provinces and nations.

Since the 1950s, state and provincial wildlife agencies have moved more than 192,000 wild turkeys into suitable habitat across North America. Since the NWTF was founded in 1973, it has helped accelerate efforts through the purchase of trapping equipment, transfer boxes, funding and the help of its volunteers.

Currently, there are more than seven million wild turkeys throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

“State and provincial wildlife agencies are committed to relocating wild turkeys into all suitable habitats in North America,” Kennamer said. “It’s a realistic goal that the NWTF will continue to support. We’re also enhancing that habitat so future generations will continue to enjoy wild turkeys, wildlife and hunting.”

Funding for forestry landowners

Forestry landowners around the state should note applications to receive funds from Indiana’s Woodland Restoration Program (IWRP) will be accepted through July 31.

The summer program is aimed to provide incentives funds for enhancing or establishing woodland conservation practices, such as tree planting for reforestation, follow-up weed control on established tree plantings, timber stand improvement, pre-harvest grapevine control, tree pruning, establishment of riparian buffers and invasive plant species control.

Interested individuals should contact their district forester, or the Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry at 317-232-4105. For additional information and a map of the nearest District Forester location, visit www.in.gov/dnr/forestry and click on “Private Landowner Assistance.”

No applications will be accepted after July 31 for this year’s enrollment.

Firewood restrictions continue

To slow the spread of the emerald ash borer insect (EAB), an exotic species of beetle, Indiana State Parks, Reservoirs and State Forests are continuing to control the firewood permitted to pass through the gates this camping season. The insects have killed 20 million ash trees in the Midwest.

The control is necessary because, on its own, the EAB can advance about a half-mile to one mile per year. When infested wood is moved by vehicle, the insect can spread as far as the vehicle travels.

Visitors entering state property campgrounds will be asked at the gate if they have brought firewood from quarantined counties in Indiana or from the federally quarantined states of Ohio, Illinois and Michigan.
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Only hardwood firewood (1) not from the quarantined counties, (2) scrap kiln-dried lumber with no bark on it from quarantined Indiana counties or other quarantined states or (3) firewood purchased at a commercial store bearing a USDA compliance stamp will be permitted.

Items 2 and 3 represent changes in last year’s policy.
Firewood brought to properties from quarantined Indiana counties or quarantined states not meeting these conditions will be confiscated at the gate and burned as soon as possible.

Confiscation and burning the wood quickly eliminates the possibility some of it will set at a campsite throughout a camping trip and allow any adult EABs in the wood to emerge and start a new infestation.
Campers should also be aware of the source of any firewood they purchase to use when camping at non-state properties.

Many private campgrounds are also restricting firewood brought in.
Travelers headed out of state from any county in Indiana cannot, under federal law, take hardwood firewood out of the state.

Similarly, federal law prohibits travelers from moving hardwood firewood out of Ohio, Illinois or Michigan.

Additional updated information about the EAB and its potential impact on all Indiana forests is available at each state property, www.entm.purdue.edu/eab or www.in.gov/dnr/entomolo/pestinfo/ashborer.htm

An information sheet answering some of the most frequently asked question about Indiana state parks, reservoirs and state forests firewood policy is available at www.dnr.IN.gov/healthy

Shotgun enthusiasts’ website

Just point and click – that’s all it takes to access the most-comprehensive collection of equipment manufacturers, shooting schools and wing and clay shooting destinations available for marksmen anywhere, with the launch of the new website http://blackswingandclay.com

The premier website was created to enhance the famously popular print product, Black’s Wing & Clay Waterfowl directory, just one of the leading outdoor directories produced by Grand View Media Group.

The Wing & Clay Waterfowl directory – now in its 16th edition – represents years of active research and dedication to the shotgun sports industry. The introduction of http://blackswingand clay.com is a perfect complement and sure to provide even more value to the printed directory.

Visitors to the site will now have a wealth of information about shotgun-related products, services and destinations online, complete with pull-down menus that invite users to search for equipment manufacturers and service providers based on specific needs and interests. Detailed contact information, including address, phone and e-mail addresses are displayed, as well as a brief description of the product(s) offered.

In addition, avid hunters and clay shooters can select the type of hunt or clay discipline they wish to pursue, as well as the state in which they will be hunting, shooting or visiting. Simply use the U.S. map provided to pull up both wing and clay shooting destinations in a particular state.