Patoka Sportsman 4-4-20

Patoka Sportsman 4-4-20

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an off-road vehicle (ORV) accident that resulted in the death of a Celestine man. Keith Thewes, 55, was operating his ORV March 30 along a ditch line when the accident occurred. He was found by a family member on private property off of County Road 820 E, approximately a half-mile south of State Road 164. Dubois County Dispatch was notified of the ORV rollover accident with entrapment at 3:18 p.m. Lifesaving efforts were started on scene, and Thewes was transported to Memorial Hospital in Jasper, where he succumbed to his injuries. Before the accident occurred, Thewes was spraying weeds on his property. A sharp change in elevation along the ditch line is believed to be the primary cause of the ORV accident. Responding agencies included the Celestine Fire Department, Dubois County Sheriff’s Department, Jasper Memorial Hospital EMS and Indiana Conservation Officers.

All 2019-2020 basic hunting, basic fishing, hunt/fish combo, youth licenses and stamps set to expire March 31, 2020, will be valid for use until Friday, May 22, 2020. Please maintain a printed or electronic copy with you while hunting/fishing. If you do not have a valid 2019 – 2020 annual license or stamp, a new 2020 -2021 annual license will be needed. For the upcoming 2020 spring wild turkey season, hunters will need a 2020 spring turkey license and valid gamebird habitat stamp. Licenses can be purchased by visiting the Indiana Fish & Wildlife Online License System, open authorized license vendors, or calling the Indiana DNR Customer Service Center at 877-463-6367, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

All DNR properties including state parks, state forests, fish and wildlife areas, nature preserves and state recreation areas. Entrance fees at all properties have been temporarily suspended.

Families will be able to go outside and take a walk, run or bike ride, but they should continue to practice social distancing by remaining 6 feet away from other people. Entrance fees at properties have been temporarily suspended.

  • Campgrounds are OPEN but advance reservations are required. No walk-in camping (camping without a reservation) is permitted. For those who would prefer to cancel or reschedule due to COVID-19, fees are waived for cancellations or transfers of reservations and to issuing refunds as requested for campsites held through April 30, 2020. This time frame may be extended as the COVID-19 status evolves.
  • Indiana DNR-managed lakes, trails, campgrounds, boat ramps and wildlife areas at Patoka and Monroe lakes remain OPEN. However, public facilities managed directly by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at or below the dams at these lakes (tailwater areas, observation mounds, etc.) are CLOSED.
  • Vault toilets and modern restrooms where available are OPEN. Campground comfort stations will be OPENED on their normal schedule as spring progresses and property use changes. Contact properties directly for specific information. Open restrooms are cleaned and sanitized regularly.
  • Unstaffed archery ranges - OPEN.
  • All property offices - CLOSED.
  • Passes and permits can be purchased online at ShopINStateparks.com. Property maps are available online. Office contact information will be provided on doors for those who have specific questions.
  • State park inns and restaurants - CLOSED.
  • Family cabins and camper cabins - CLOSED.
  • Playgrounds, fire towers, and other similar facilities - CLOSED.
  • Welcome Centers, Nature Centers, Historic Buildings and Visitor Centers, Forest Education Centers - CLOSED.
  • Shooting ranges - CLOSED.
  • Shelters, recreation buildings, and other enclosed picnic areas - CLOSED.
  • All group camps, youth tent and rally tent areas - CLOSED.
  • The DNR Customer Service Center in downtown Indianapolis is CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC but is still available by telephone.
  • All indoor and outdoor public programs and special events are postponed through April 30. There will be virtual programming added through social media; watch the DNR calendar for details and times.
  • All fishing tournaments on DNR owned/operated properties - CANCELED THROUGH APRIL 30.
  • All fishing tournaments that require a permit through DNR, even if they are not on DNR owned/operated property – CANCELED THROUGH APRIL 6.

The DNR will continue to implement recommendations from the Indiana State Department of Health and will follow other directives from the State of Indiana regarding any future closures or cancellations. Notifications of any changes will be provided directly to guests and groups with reservations, and added to our property advisories webpage and the DNR calendar.

We urge the public to do business by phone, email, or online. Here are your options:

Spring is here and baby animals are being born across the Hoosier state. Baby rabbits, squirrels, birds, and fawns are among a few of the young animals commonly discovered this time of year. If you find young wildlife, remember Adult animals rarely abandon their young. The parent may be out searching for food. Leaving young unattended is normal for many species. Do not hover to see if a parent comes back. Give the baby animal space and only check back periodically. Adult animals will not return if a person is standing nearby. Young wildlife should not be handled. They can carry diseases or parasites and are capable of inflicting damage by biting or scratching. Human scent can also alert predators to the young animal’s presence. While rescuing young wildlife is legal, keeping them is not. Truly orphaned or injured wild animals must be given to a permitted wildlife rehabilitator within 24 hours to maximize their chance of survival. Practice social distancing while enjoying fresh air and bagging a bird. Spring turkey season runs from April 22 – May 10. Youth wild turkey season is April 18-19. The season bag limit is one bearded or male turkey per hunter in the youth/spring season. Purchase your spring turkey license online.