Patoka Sportsman 9-4-21
Patoka Sportsman 9-4 & 9-5-21
Patoka Lake will host its 17th annual “Wheelin’ in the Fish” event on September 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Osborn boat ramp. The event is designed to highlight the accessible features of Patoka Lake for people with disabilities and their families. The event is free and includes fishing, lunch, and dessert. Fishing poles and tackle will be provided. Certificates and door prizes will be awarded to all participants. Bring lawn chairs and sunscreen to enjoy the day. Osborn boat ramp is located off State Road 145, 2 miles north of the intersection with S.R. 164 intersection, and 14 miles south of French Lick. For more information call the Patoka Lake Nature Center at 812-658-2447. The DNR, Patoka Bass Anglers, Southern Indiana Center for Independent Living (SICIL), and Springs Valley Optimist Club sponsor the event.
National Public Lands Day is Saturday, Sept. 25. Hoosiers can celebrate by supporting their favorite DNR property by doing volunteer work or simply visiting. National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort involving public lands. DNR properties will have programs for visitors to volunteer as individuals or as part of many events across Indiana, but they can also choose to visit and just enjoy their favorite areas. On Sunday, Sept. 26, Indiana State Parks, Indiana State Forests, and State Recreation Areas will offer free admission. The entire weekend serves as a reminder that public lands are places for outdoor recreation, conservation, and making memories with families and friends. Events include hikes, pioneer activities, crafts, fishing programs, live bird shows, volunteer activities, and more. For a complete list of programs, see calendar.dnr.IN.gov. Information about how to be a DNR volunteer can be found at on.IN.gov/dnrvolunteer.
Sept. 25 is National Hunting & Fishing Day. Created in 1971 to thank hunters and anglers across the U.S., the day recognizes the power of individuals as a positive force in the protection of natural resources. The day also serves as a way to acknowledge all the ways these groups have provided the funding foundation for wildlife conservation. Join us in this celebration by exploring some of the many Fish & Wildlife areas, parks, forests, and other public lands available throughout Indiana.Looking for a more hands-on way to experience the state’s natural spaces? Sept. 25 is also the last Free Fishing Day of 2021. On Free Fishing Days, Indiana residents can fish Indiana’s public waters without a fishing license or trout/salmon stamp. Several hunting seasons will also be open, including dove, sora, snipe, teal, and squirrel. Also, youth deer season starts the same weekend. As fall begins in Indiana, invite your friends and family to join you outdoors and take time to safely do what you love with those you love spending time with.
Hunters are taking to the fields and forests as several hunting seasons open in September. Squirrel hunting season is already underway. Several game bird seasons, including dove, snipe, and sora opened on Sept. 1. Sept. 11 marks the start of waterfowl season for early teal and geese. Deer reduction zone season starts Sept. 15 – you can find the designated locations for this season on our website. Outdoor recreationists should check with DNR property offices before visiting if they plan to go off the trails. Certain areas may be closed for reserved hunts or designated seasons. Individuals should wear hunter orange as an additional precaution when entering areas where hunters may be present.
As bear populations in neighboring states continue to expand, black bear sightings in Indiana are becoming more common. Indiana was once home to black bears, and the hills and forests of southern Indiana are excellent habitat for bears. If you see a bear, report your sighting to Indiana DNR. Biologists use these reports to monitor bear activity and provide recommendations to local residents. Residents can protect black bears and their property by securing potential food sources.
Several Indiana Hunter Education classes will be coming up in our area in the next few weeks. . On Friday, September 10 from 6-8:30 PM and Saturday September 11 from 8 AM – 3:30 PM a class will be held at the Chrisney 4-H Center Lower building on Hwy. 70 in Chrisney. An Indiana Hunter Ed. Course will be held Friday, Sept. 10 from 6-9:30 Pm and Saturday, Sept. 11 from 8 Am – 4 PM at the Faith Baptist Church in Loogootee. The Clarksville Bass Pro Shop will be hosting an event on Saturday, September 11 and Sunday, September 12 from 1-6PM both days. Another class is coming up September 13-16 at the Graber Post Sports Complex in Odon. Pine Ridge Elementary School is the site of a Hunter Ed. Course to be held Friday, September 17 from 6-9 PM and Saturday, September 18 from 8 AM – 4 PM. For more info call 812-837-9536. The Selvin Community Center in Dale will host a Hunter Ed. Class on Saturday, September 18 from 8 AM – 3 PM and Sunday, September 19 from 8-11 AM. In Daviess County the Washington Conservation Club is the host for a class from September 20-23. Anyone born after December 31, 1986 is required to be certified in Hunter Education before they can purchase a hunting license. To register go to www.passitonindiana.com.
There will be a 3-D Broken Arrow Archery shoot Sunday September 12 at Beaver Lake CR 325 E Jasper IN. Yup his will be our last 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. For more information call cliff fleck at (812)630-0454 or karla brames at 812-827-3756.
The Indiana DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife wants to hear your ideas on fishing, hunting, trapping, and other fish and wildlife-related regulations in Indiana, including special permits. Through Sept. 15, use the online form to contribute ideas and provide input on issues the DNR has identified for consideration. See the list of issues below. Users must register with a username and a password. There has been a lot of discussion among sportsmen about a potential bobcat hunting or trapping season. Currently it isn’t being considered by the DNR. If you have an opinion on it now’s your time to speak up.
Input and ideas can also be mailed to:
Indiana DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife
Attn: Got INput
402 W. Washington St., Room W273
Indianapolis, IN 46204
After Sept. 16, DNR staff will evaluate all comments and determine which ideas for further consideration.
Fall trap leagues starts Tuesday, September 7 and runs each Tuesday for 10 weeks. The 9th week is a make up night and the 10th week is the league awards banquet. Each team will consist of 5 shooters. You will shoot 2 rounds of 25 clay targets per night. Your league score is based on a handicap system which uses 80% of your average. You are responsible to provide your own firearm and ammunition. Cost per person for the fall trap league is $80 for club members and $110 for non club members. Payment is due Sept. 7 by cash or check. Shooting commences at approximately 5:45 PM and team sign up times are first come first served. Please make sure your entire team is present before signing up to shoot. If you are a single shooter and need a team please call or email and the Jasper Rifle and Gun Club will try to find a team to place you on. For more information email [email protected] or call 812-684-0047 or 812-351-2564.
There are 4 major moon change phases in October this 2021 season. To keep this simple 5 days before & after these dates all are a part of the major influences on our Whitetail herd. Influence of moon creates a behavior change, however weather has more influence so take note during these times a drastic weather change with moon changes can generate very good deer movements. Full moon enhances great night time conditions for feeding and traveling that will put your deer back to their daytime beds earlier, Why? More light at night means more feeding at night. So enter morning stands to hunt right before or right at daylight and expect a mid to late morning movement as your herd rises to feed 9am to noon. With a full moon evening hunts can see less deer movement with too much light leading up to regular movement times. With a late morning to noon feeding deer will be more comfortable. They will stay bedded down later in the day-evening hours as they wait for a darker time in the evening to make their move. Overcast days help this situation. Remember deer feed 5 times in a 24 hour period, generally 2 times during light hours 3 after dark. Think of it like this , our deer herd spends a good five days making adjustments for the moon phase change, then the day of the change they spend the next five days after in a more comfortable behavior pattern with the change. So remember, weather trumps the moon. When our first season drastic cold front hits dropping 10 degrees or more mainly October 28th-31st, I’d plan on being in the woods on those days.