Patoka Sportsman 3-6-21

Patoka Sportsman 3-6 & 3-7-21

Crawford County Community park is sponsoring the Straight Shooters Gun Show on March 6 & 7 at the Crawford County Fairgrounds in Marengo. All kinds of guns, ammo, knives, swords, reloading, shooting, hunting, fishing, muzzleloader, primitives, military memorabilia and lots of other items will be available to buy, sell or trade.

During the 2020-21 deer season, The IDNR was able to sample a total of 893 wild deer for chronic wasting disease (CWD)! Any deer hunters who had their harvest sampled for CWD during the 2020-21 deer season can check sample results at reportsickanimal.dnr.IN.gov/search.

CWD is a neurologic disease that affects white-tailed deer. The disease is always fatal to deer and is transmitted directly through body fluids or indirectly through the contamination of soil, plants, and water. While CWD has been found in neighboring states, it has not been detected in Indiana to date. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been no cases of CWD in humans. To learn more about CWD, visit on.IN.gov/cwd.

You can Join the DNR to improve fish habitat at Patoka Lake through a volunteer habitat structure build day on March 13. As reservoirs age, the number and type of hiding places for fish decrease. The Reservoir Habitat Enhancement Program addresses this issue and works to build fish habitat where natural structure is lacking. Fish habitat structures built out of pallets are one option to improve the complexity of the habitat at Patoka Lake. The pallet structure build will take place at the Patoka Lake Jackson boat ramp parking lot. The ramp is located on the northern part of Patoka Lake in Orange County. The ramp is located along S Co Rd 1075 W. Refer to this map to find the Jackson boat ramp: https://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/files/patoka_trail.pdf

Please bring cordless drills, work gloves, and protective eyewear. Tools are not required to attend, but only a limited number of tools will be available for use. Pallets and other building materials will be provided. Please bring masks, dress for the weather, and wear long pants and close-toed shoes. Don’t forget snacks and drinking water. Registration is recommended to ensure a socially distanced event. To register, visit https://bit.ly/3qhpFVJ. To learn more about the Reservoir Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Program, visit wildlife.IN.gov/7665.htm

There will be a 3-D Broken Arrow Archery shoot Sunday March 14 at Beaver Lake CR 325 E Jasper IN. This will be the first shoot for the year due to bad weather last month. 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. For more information , call cliff fleck at (812)630-0454 or karla brames at 8128273756.

The St. Anthony Conservation Club will hold their 10^th Annual 3D 30 target Archery Expo on Saturday, March 27. 3D registration is from 8AM – 1 PM. Raffle and activities will run from 8AM – 3:30 PM. The event will follow current CDC guidelines. There is a $10 entry fee. If shooters are 10 or younger they can shoot for free. Shooters will be entered for a chance to win a St. Anthony Mill mineral package. Prizes will be awarded including a prize target shooting for over $3,000 in prizes. An official scorer will also be there. Food and drinks will be available. Make sure to check out the on-site vendors, DNR, new truck & ATV displays. Bowhunter Magazine founder M.R. James will also be there to share stories. Tickets are available on site or from any club member. For more information follow St. Anthony Conservation Club on Facebook or call 812-630-1670.

The Indiana State Trappers Association is sponsoring a habitat and Predator management Class March 20 starting at 9 AM EST at the Duff Conservation Club. Topics covered include: habitat management, benefits of predator management, predator calling and predator trapping. You will be outside so dress for the weather. For more information contact Matt Badger at 765-615-2394. Cost is $35 for adults. Kids 16 and under are $20. There will be a limit of 25 students. Lunch will be provided.

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]. Another class will be held on Saturday, March 20 and Sunday, March 21 at the Crawford County Community Park in Marengo. A hunter ed. Class will be held Friday, March 26 from 6-9 PM and Saturday, March 27 from 8 AM – 4 PM at the Dubois County 4-H Fairgrounds. For more information contact Kendrick Fuhrman, John Watkins or call Tony Mann at 812-837-9536. Anyone born after December 31, 1986 is required to be certified in Hunter Education before they can purchase a hunting license.

The Ohio River Valley Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited will hold a banquet on Saturday, March 13 at the Harrison County Fairgrounds in Corydon. Games, raffles and social hour will begin at 5 PM with dinner served at 6:30. Tickets are $45 for a single and $25 for your spouse. Ticket deadline is March 12. A Whitetails Unlimited membership is included with a single ticket purchase. If you’re interested in becoming a corporate sponsor or other level sponsor you can do so. There will be several raffles that night plus a youth guided hunt will be given away. Anyone interested in going or for more information can call 812-968-5060.

The restaurants at Abe Martin Lodge, Clifty Inn, Canyon Inn, Potawatomi Inn, Spring Mill Inn and Turkey Run Inn are currently open to dine-in service. Seating capacity is limited, based on county COVID-19 restrictions. The Garrison Restaurant at Fort Harrison remains closed at this time to dine-in service, but delicious carry out options are available.The buffets remain closed in all locations, but there is plenty of great food on each menu. State Park Inn/Lodge conference facilities are also open for meetings and gatherings with limited capacity based on county COVID-19 restrictions as well.