Patoka Sportsman 3-9-19
Patoka Sportsman 3-9 & 3-10-19
Indiana Conservation Officers are reporting that a Dubois County man has been convicted of illegally taking what most hunters would consider a buck of a lifetime. Mark Gill, age 56, of Holland, harvested a non-typical 20 point buck with more than 200 inches of antler during the 2016 season after already taking a buck earlier that archery season. This violated the state of Indiana’s one-buck rule.
As part of his plea agreement with the Dubois County Prosecutor’s office Gill’s hunting license privileges will be suspended for a period of two years, he will serve 100 hours of community service, be on probation for 540 days and pay $741 in fines and court costs including a $500 replacement fee. It was determined that Gill caped out the second harvested buck of the 2016 season and froze it until the 2017 season before checking it in. By doing this he provided false information to Indiana’s deer harvest information system.
Because of his Indiana hunting license suspension, Gill will be entered into the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. This is an agreement that recognizes suspension of hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses in 48 member states. The only states not currently in the violator compact are Massachusetts and Hawaii. Gill pled guilty to unlawful taking of a white-tailed deer (Class B Misdemeanor) and providing false information to a check station (Class C Misdemeanor).
The TIP (Turn In a Poacher) program, which is a way for anonymous callers to provide information about wildlife crimes, was used in this case. The program has local origins, having been started by what is now the Dubois County Sportsman Club in the early 1980s. It eventually transitioned to a state program providing monetary reimbursement for information leading to an arrest. During the 2018 calendar year, TIP received a total of 277 reports.
To report future wildlife poaching or pollution you can call 1-800-TIP-IDNR or submit an online form at: dnr.IN.gov/lawenfor/7608.htm.
There will be a 3-D Broken Arrow Archery shoot Sunday March 10 at Beaver Lake. Sign-in will be from sunrise till noon. A practice range will be available, and concessions will also be sold. There are new lower prices for entry fees. 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.
Come to the Paoli Library for a special presentation at 4:30p.m. on Tuesday, March 12. Meet the birds of prey from Patoka Lake up close in this 1-hour presentation. See a bald eagle, red-tailed hawk and eastern screech owl. Discover their wild capabilities and how their species survive. This program is free to the public and everyone is invited to attend!
Patoka Lake Bow Hunters first shoot of 2019 will be Saturday and Sunday March 16th and 17th at Patoka Lake Archery Range near Wickliffe. This will be a "30" Target 3D shoot. Participants should use the main entrance to Patoka Lake off State Road 164. Registration on Sunday starts at Daylight till 12:00pm. Shooting fees are $8.00 for Active PLB members, $10.00 for Nonmembers and $5.00 for Youth (age 11-17) while Cubs (10& younger) and Active Military shoot for free. For more information, call 812 205-0081.
Meet the naturalist and other certified archery instructors at the Patoka Lake Nature Center for a beginner to intermediate archery lesson on Saturday, March 16 from 9:00a.m.- Noon. This event is open to adults and youth ages 8 and up. All archery equipment will be provided. Participation is limited to the first 15 registrants. Register by calling the Patoka Lake Nature Center at 812.685.2447. Cost is $5/person. Join in a friendly archery competition at 11:30a.m. using the skills learned at the lesson.
An Indiana Hunter Ed. Class will be held March 21, 22 & 23 at Faith Baptist Church in Loogootee. All instructions will be by Indiana Conservation Officers and certified Indiana Volunteer Hunter Ed. Instructors. There is no charge for attending the class. Register online at www.passitonindiana.com. Sponsored by Faith Baptist church and West Boggs Park.
The annual Patoka Hills Indiana Quail Upland Game Alliance Banquet will be held Sat. March 16 at Venue 1408 in Huntingburg. Doors open at 5:30. For tickets or more information contact Randy Stemle at 812-639-8493 or Rick Giesler at 812-631-0317.
The St. Anthony Conservation Club is holding their 8th Annual 3D Archery Expo on Saturday, March 23. Registration is from 8-1 and raffle and activities will be from 8 AM to 4 PM. There will be a new Sasquatch and other new targets for this 30-target shoot. Shooters will also be entered for a chance to win a food plot package. Entry fee is $10. 10 and under are free. You’ll be shooting for over $3,000 in prizes. Bow raffle tickets are for sale on site or from any member. An Official scorer will also be onsite. Breakfast sandwiches, burgers and drinks available all day. Check out the on-site vendors, DNR, and new truck & ATV displays. Meet the pro staff members from the Bowhunt or Die web show. For more information call 812-630-1670.
The Michael Oeding Memorial Youth Turkey Seminar sponsored by the Dubois County Sportsmen’s Club is coming up Saturday, March 30 at the Ireland Sportsmen’s Club. It’s open to the first 20 kids 17 and younger that sign up. Registration begins at 9 AM. Starting at 9:20 there will be several speakers with hands on learning. Lunch and drawings will be held at 11:30. To register please call Shawn at 812-482-4162.
An Indiana hunter Education Course will be held April 5 & 6 at Cornerstone UMC in Chrisney. The class and materials are free. Students must attend both days. Bring highlighters, pens and pencils and any snacks or drinks you would like. Bottled water and lunch will be provided on Saturday by the Dubois county Sportsmen’s Club. To register go to passitonindiana.com. Select Traditional class and enter your zip code. Click on Cornerstone Church class and sign up. For more information contact Perry Frey at [email protected].
The Huntingburg Conservation club will have a Hunter Ed Class April 5 & 6 at the Club. It’s hosted by the Dubois County Shooting Sports Instructors Council. Sign up at pass it on Indiana dot com.
The Graveyard Hunt Club will be holding a Youth Turkey Hunt April 20-21. Any interested youth can contact Quintin Myers at 812-486-5685. Youth will receive a Graveyard Gift pack. There will also be a gun give away, prizes for heaviest bird and longest beard. The awards banquet dinner will be held Monday, April 22 at 6 PM. Youth will be guided by Graveyard hunt club pro staff members. Youth hunters must have a valid license to take a wild turkey. The Indiana youth hunt license is $7 for youth 17 and younger. Hunters may use legal shotgun, bow and arrow or crossbow. Again for more information contact Quintin Myers at 812-486-5685 or Julie Chapman at 812-610-0097.
The Rotary Club of Jasper will sponsor a Clay Shoot on April 26 at Cool Springs. You’re invited to take part in a fun day of shooting while raising money to keep our kids safe. Shoot from 12 stations with 100 sport clay targets. Ammunition if provided. Bring your own 12 or 20 gauge semi-automatic or over-under shotgun. Single shot or pumps are not recommended. Teams of 4 are recommended but not required. Registration begins at 8:30 AM with shooting to start at 9 AM EST. Lunch is provided. Purchase your tickets to participate on Eventbrite https://rotaryclubofjasperclayshoot.eventbrite.com. Ticket cost is $100 for individuals or $400 per team. The Rotary Club in Jasper is partnered with the Dept. of Natural Resources Law District 7 to promote youth ATV safety. With your generous support the Rotary Club of Jasper will be able to help kids receive proper safety education and purchase approved safety equipment such as helmets, goggles, gloves, chest protectors and riding boots. For more information contact any Jasper Rotary Club member.
Join in a women’s only event to learn outdoor skills in a relaxed environment on Friday, April 26 through Sunday April 28. This event will start at the Patoka Lake Nature Center and include overnight camping for the duration of the weekend. Women ages 16 and older can participate in activities including in depth archery lessons, kayaking, Dutch oven cooking, survival, wild edibles and medicine, wilderness 1 st aid, basic fishing, firearms safety, trap shooting, rifle, boat operations, self-defense, wildlife tracking, beginner birding and more. Meals will be provided on Saturday and Sunday. Camping will take place in the modern electric campgrounds. Pre-registration is required by April 10th . There is a registration fee of $65/participant. For more information or to register, call the Patoka Lake Nature Center at (812)685-2447. This event is being sponsored by the Dubois County Shooting Sports Instructor Council.
Registration is open for the Full Moon 5K taking place at Patoka Lake beach on Friday, August 16 at 9:00p.m. Race 3.1miles through the woods on roadways, a well-maintained gravel and grass lane and paved bike trail lit by moonlight and luminaries. All proceeds from this event will go to support Patoka’s non-releasable raptors; a red-tailed hawk, eastern screech owl and bald eagle. Early registration is $25 which includes a race t-shirt. Go to http://fullmoon5K.itsyourrace.com to register today! For more information or call (812)685-2447. If you are interested in sponsoring this event please contact the Race Director, Dana Reckelhoff at (812)685-2447 or by email at [email protected] .