Patoka Sportsman 3-27-21
Patoka Sportsman 3-27 & 3-28-21
There will be a 3-D Broken Arrow Archery shoot Sunday April 11 at Beaver Lake. 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. For more information , call Cliff Fleck at (812)630-0454 or Karla Brames at 8128273756.
Spencer County will have a Hunter Education Class at the Chrisney 4 H Center on Hwy 70 Friday, April 9th 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM (CST) AND Saturday, April 10th from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM (CST). Students MUST attend both classes to receive their certificate. The class and materials are free and classes are conducted by local Conservation Officers and certified volunteer instructors. State protocols will be enforced; face masks will be required, hand sanitizer will be available and social distancing will be used. Bring snacks and/or drinks, pencils and highlighters. Lunch will not be provided. Seats are limited; register at passitonindiana.com before Thursday, April 8 6:00 PM. Any questions contact [email protected].
Redemption Church in Loogootee will hold a Hunter Ed. Course on Friday April 9 from 6-9:30 PM and Saturday, April 10 from 8 AM – 3:30 PM.
The Gibson Count chapter of Whitetails Unlimited will host a banquet on Saturday, April 17 at the Gibson Co. 4-H Fair Exhibit Hall in Princeton. Games, raffles and social hour will begin at 5 PM. Dinner will start at 6:30. Tickets are $40 for a single and $25 for a spouse. Ticket order deadline is April 16. A WTU membership is included with a single ticket. Tickets will not be sold at the door. This fundraising event will include a dinner, auction and prizes with a wide array of products such as firearms, outfitter packages, hunting and outdoor related equipment, artwork and collectibles only available at WTU events. For tickets or for more information contact Bike at 812-449-2167 or Bill at 812-568-8698 or buy online at www.whitetailsunlimited.com.
Purdue University in conjunction with Extension Forestry & Natural Resources, Forestry DNR, Four Rivers Forestry Committee and the Dubois County Soil and Water Conservation District will sponsor an event on tree planting for conservation timber and wildlife on April 22 from 4-6 PM EDT at the Ken Otto Property on Whooderville Rd. in Jasper. There is no cost involved and you can register by April 19 by calling Ron at 812-678-5049 or Judi at 812-482-1171.
You can donate all or a portion of your state tax refund to the Nongame Wildlife Fund by marking the appropriate boxes on your 2020 Indiana tax forms or when filing electronically. Watch a video on how to fill out the form. To donate, fill out Line 1 of Schedule 5/Schedule IN-DONATE form with “Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund”, enter the three-digit code “200”, and then enter donation amount on Line 17 of the main IT-40 form. Interested in learning more about Indiana’s most imperiled species and the work DNR is doing to save them? Consider subscribing to Nongame Wildlife Fund News.
This year's four Free Fishing Days are May 2, June 5-6, and Sept. 25. Indiana residents do not need a fishing license or a trout stamp to fish in public waters on these days. Free Fishing Days are a great opportunity to give fishing a try or share fishing with a friend or family member.
Spring is here and soon young wildlife will be noticeable statewide. 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 a 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.
Now is a great time to plant native trees and shrubs. The DNR Division of Forestry operates two tree nurseries that offer low-cost trees and shrubs. Technical assistance for Indiana landowners is also available; contact your district wildlife biologist.
Although barn owls can nest during any month of the year, most eggs are laid in March and April. Indiana DNR maintains a live nest webcam stream year-round in one of our barn owl nest boxes. Last year’s resident pair laid eggs in February and fledged one owlet in May. Watch the live nest webcam to see when the first egg is laid over the next few weeks. Barn owls are a state endangered species in Indiana and supported by the Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund.