Clean your sugar water feeders, get them filled with four parts water and one part cane sugar, and get ready to great this year’s first hummingbirds.

According to Hummingbird Central, the first Indiana arrivals were in Greenwood on March 23 and at North Vernon on March 30. The annual hummingbird tracker can be accessed at https://www.hummingbirdcentral.com/hummingbird-migration-spring-2026-map.htm.

It’s not just game law violations

A Missouri man was arrested on multiple drug‑related charges in Vanderburgh County after an Indiana Conservation Officer conducted a traffic stop for excessive speeding. During the stop, more than 300 pills totaling 120 grams of methamphetamine were recovered.

On Feb. 27, a conservation officer stopped a vehicle traveling over 90 miles per hour and cutting off traffic near the intersection of U.S. 41 and Interstate 64. The odor of marijuana was detected coming from the vehicle, and the driver, 30-year-old Naithan Murphy, of St. Louis, Mo., did not possess a valid operator’s license.

A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed marijuana, digital scales, and a loaded handgun. Murphy was arrested and charged with felony dealing of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and reckless driving. He was transported and booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail.

The vehicle Murphy was driving was also identified as a suspect vehicle in a previous fleeing‑law‑enforcement incident in St. Louis.

Spring wildflower events

Experience the dazzle of spring ephemerals during wildflower hikes at the parks. Call the park office for more information and to sign up!

• McCormick’s Creek State Park Wildflower Weekend, April 11-12

• Wildflowers at the Waterfalls at Cataract Falls SRA, April 12

• Clifty Falls State Park Wildflower Weekend, April 11-12

• Spring Mill State Park Wildflower Weekend, April 18-19

• Chain O’Lakes State Park Wildflower Wander, April 25

Volunteer at the parks

This April. volunteer at the parks in celebration of National Volunteer Appreciation Week. We have group opportunities for the whole family to join from weed wrangles to lakeside clean ups. Call the park office at the location for more information.

• Roadside and Park Cleanup at Lieber SRA (Cagles Mill Lake) – April 18

• Weed Wrangle at Raccoon SRA (Cecil M Harden Lake) – April 18

• Garlic Mustard Pull at Clifty Falls State Park – April 18

• Weed Wrangle at Pokagon State Park – April 18

• Earth Day Clean Up at Deam Lake State Recreation Area – April 22

• Weed Wrangle at Spring Mill State Park – April 25

• Earth Day Clean Up/Garlic Mustard Pull at Versailles State Park – April 25

Shooting range at Wilbur Wright FWA to temporarily close

The shooting range at Wilbur Wright Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA) will temporarily close from May 11 through Aug. 8 for planned facility improvements.

In preparation for the project, the shotgun range closed in March, but the rest of the range will remain open until May 11. The early closure of the shotgun range was necessary to prepare the site for upcoming construction.

Improvements include adding new shooting benches and accessible sidewalks, along with enhancing the dirt backstop.

For updates, please contact the Wilbur Wright Fish & Wildlife Area office at 765-529-9581.

Body found of missing 11-year-old

Indiana Conservation Officers have recovered the body of the 11-year-old juvenile who went missing in the East Fork of the White River in Columbus on March 30.

At 10:42 a.m., conservation officer divers located and recovered the victim in 10 feet of water approximately 80 yards from where she was last seen.

On March 30 at approximately 6:39 p.m., first responders were called to Mill Race Park for a report of a juvenile who went underwater and did not resurface. It was determined the victim, an 11-year-old female, and some friends were on a sandbar in the river when she waded too far out and was caught in the river current.

Responders from Columbus Fire Department, Bartholomew County Sheriff Department and Indiana Conservation Officers searched the water with boats, sonar, and above and underwater drones until after dark. The search resumed in the morning.

‘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