Patoka Sportsman 1-29-22

Patoka Sportsman 1-29 & 1-30-22

Indiana Conservation Officer Matt Clark has been selected as the 2021 District 7 Officer of the Year. Clark is assigned to Gibson County and has been a conservation officer since 2015. In addition to his normal duties as a field officer, he also serves as a public information officer and background investigator. District 7 includes Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Knox, Martin, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburg and Warrick counties located in southwest Indiana. The district award puts Clark in the running for the Pitzer Award, which is given to the top overall conservation officer in the state and selected from the 10 district award winners. The Pitzer Award is named after Conservation Officer James D. Pitzer, who was fatally shot while investigating illegal hunting activity on Jan. 2, 1961, in Jay County.

January 30 kicks off the 3D archery shoots in the area with a shoot at St. Anthony Conservation Club. The next shoot will be February 6^th at Branchville followed on Feb. 13 at Beaver Lake, Feb. 20 at Patoka Lake and Feb. 27 at St. Anthony CC.

Indiana’s deer harvest numbers are now complete for the 2021 season. Statewide 112,290 deer were harvested this past season down from 124,046 in 2020. In Dubois County 1,826 deer were harvested this past season compared to 1,981 in 2020-2021. Martin County’s numbers were almost exactly where they were last year with 1,552 deer taken. Pike County was down slightly with 1,663 deer harvested. Perry County was also about the same as the previous year with 1,513 deer taken. Davies County was down from 1,225 in 2020-21 compared to 1,108 taken this year. Crawford County was within 45 deer the last two years with this year’s total at 1,633. Real time numbers are available on the DNR’s website. https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/wildlife-resources/animals/white-tailed-deer/deer-harvest-data/

Now’s the time of year when several Hunter Education Classes take place. The West Side Sportsman’s Club of Evansville will host one on Saturday, Feb. 5 and Sun. day, Feb. 6 from 8 AM– 2 PM each day. Lunch will be provided on both days. Attendees are welcome to bring any snacks or drinks they’d like to have throughout the day.

Tecumseh Junior-Senior High School in Lynnville will host an Indiana Hunter Ed. Class from February 7 through the 10 from 7 AM – 3 PM each day for Tecumseh Junior-Senior High School students only.

The Perry County Coon Club will host a class beginning on Monday, Feb. 28 through Thursday, March 3 at the club in Tell City from 6-8 PM each evening.

An Indiana Hunter Ed class will be held Friday, March 18 form 6-9 PM and Saturday March 19 from 8AM-6PM at the Huntingburg Conservation Club. This is a live fire event at the range on Saturday afternoon. You must be present all hours to participate in range hours. Contact Dick Lange at 812-309-4043 to register. Two meals and snacks will be provided on Saturday at a cost of $15 for the first family member and $10 for the second family member.

The Chrisney 4-H Center will be the sight of a hunter ed class on Friday, March 18 from 6-8:30 PM and Saturday, March 19 from 8 AM – 3:30 PM. Attendance on both days is required. You may bring your favorite drink and snack. Lunch will also be provided on Saturday. The class will be in the main building not the lower building.

Indiana Hunter Education Courses will provide instruction in the areas of safe firearm use and handling while hunting, as well as in the home, hunter ethics and responsibility, game identification, and conservation management. Anyone born after December 31, 1986 is required to be certified in Hunter Education before they can purchase a hunting license.

There will be a 3-D Broken Arrow Archery shoot Sunday February 13 at Beaver Lake CR 325 E Jasper IN. Yup his will be our first shoot of the year. Sign-in will be from sunrise till noon. A practice range will be available, and concessions will available. The entry fee is $10 for all adults, $8 for children age 11-17, and free for the cub class (10 and younger) and active military members. There will also be a new class for the kids in the archery programs at school. The fee for that class is $5. They will shoot from 8-12 yard stake (white stake). They will have to bring their bows from school. Come out and enjoy the shoot for a chance to win a free shoot. Every month we will be giving away a free shoot to a shooter from the month before. If anyone is wanting to join the club they can come to a shoot and sign up. For more information , call cliff fleck at (812)630-0454 or karla brames at 812-827-3756.

Join the naturalist at 8:00p.m. on Friday, February 18, 2022 for a 3/4 mile guided hike along a paved trail overlooking the Patoka Lake. Before the trek begins, information about the moon and nature at night will be shared at the trailhead. Hiking will begin at 8:35p.m. and end at 9:30p.m. Along the route, relax on stone benches while watching the moon rise over Patoka Lake. Meet at Beach 2 shelter house. Signs will be posted. The trail is mostly paved with a few patches of gravel. Plan to wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring refreshments. Advance registration is required, and participation is limited. Register by phone at (812)685-2447. Registration ends at 2:00p.m. on Thursday, February 17 at 2:00p.m. or when the event is full.

The 11^th Annual 3D Archery Expo will be held Saturday, March 26 at the St. Anthony Conservation Club. Registration begins at 8 AM and runs through 1 PM. The 30 target shoot will feature Sasquatch & other new targets. Shooters will be entered for a chance to win a St. Anthony Mill mineral package. Cost to enter is $10 and if you’re under 10 you can shoot free. Shooters will be shooting for over $3,000 in prizes at the prize target. Bow raffle tickets will be sold on site or from club members. An official scorer will be on site to measure antlers. Food and drinks will be available. Check out the on-site vendors, DNR< new truck & ATV displays. Members from Bowhunt or Die will also be on-hand. Find St. Anthony Conservation Club on Facebook or call 812-630-1670 for more information.

The statewide light goose conservation order is open from Feb. 14 through March 31. This is a continental effort to reduce snow and Ross’s goose populations by allowing hunting for these species outside of the regular season. An Indiana hunting license, Indiana waterfowl stamp privilege, and a free permit are required to participate, though a federal duck stamp and HIP registration are not necessary. The free permit and additional information are available online.

Hunting seasons are winding down, but there are still opportunities for ducks, squirrels, and rabbits. Late season hunting brings new challenges. Animals are often more wary after surviving several months of hunting pressure. Additionally, freezing temperatures, snow, and ice can make for tough conditions for the hunter. Be sure to dress appropriately. Hunt using a layering system - a moisture-wicking base layer like merino wool against your skin, a mid-layer of fleece or a down jacket to insulate and hold body heat, and a weather-resistant shell for your outer layer to protect you from wind and precipitation. Take a look at hunting seasons dates before heading out for your first hunt in 2022.

Multiple hunting and trapping seasons close within the next month: Raccoon & Opossum (hunting, trapping): Gray & Fox Squirrel: Mink, Muskrat, & Long-tailed Weasel: Red & Gray Fox (trapping): all end on Jan. 31.

The 2022 Indiana state park passes, lake permits, off-road cycling permits, and horse tags are now available at property offices and front gates, and online. A resident annual entrance pass costs $50. A nonresident annual entrance pass for visitors who live outside the state costs $70. Golden Hoosier Passports cost $25 and are available to all Hoosier residents 65 and older.