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Audubon Report
The winter of 2017-18 will go down in the record books as the highest number of Snowy Owls seen in Indiana in a single winter.
To date, 139 Snowy Owls have been documented in Indiana this winter. The Indiana Audubon Society has been tracking sightings via submitted reports, social media sites, and birding websites, such as eBird.com. The new record breaks the old record of 121 owls that were seen during the winter of 2013/2014.
Snowy owl numbers fluctuate year to year based on their primary prey, lemmings, giant mouse like rodents, whose population also oscillates based on food supplies and weather conditions in the arctic. When populations spike, the owls respond with higher than normal breeding, with some nests containing ten or more eggs. The subsequent invasions later that fall result in not so much a food scarcity, but because of the abundance of food earlier that summer. Young owls tend to leave the arctic each winter, resulting in the larger than normal invasion occurring now.
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Provided by Indy Show
One of America's oldest and largest outdoor shows will be held in Indianapolis when the Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show opens February 16-25 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
The show will consist of over 700,000 square feet of pure outdoor excitement in six super-sized buildings, providing plenty for sportsmen and outdoor adventure seekers.
Here are some of the features:
Tackle Town USA - At 70,000 square feet with over aisles and aisles of all things fishing, Tackle Town has everything for the individual angler or fishing family.
Fishing Seminars - Between the interactive-style Fishing Camp: Ask the Pros and the giant Hawg Trough seminars, visitors will find the best fishing seminars from anglers like Kevin VanDam (bass), The G Man Gerald Swindle (bass), Ed Stachowski (walleye), Mark Brumbaugh (walleye), Jason Przekurat (walleye), Joe Thomas (bass), Mike Delvisco (bass), Jacob Wheeler (bass), Jeff Currier (fly fishing), Mark Martin (walleye), Matt Firestein (musky), Jim Vitaro (bass), Matt Morgan (crappie), Russ Bailey (crappie), Steve Coleman (crappie), Kent Watson (crappie), Ronnie Capps (crappie), Billy DeHaven (carp), Chae Dolsen (musky) and Dan Armitage (kids' fishing fun).
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IDNR report
Hunters can apply online now for a reserved turkey hunt by visiting www.wildlife.IN.gov. and clicking on the "Reserved Hunt Info" link.
The application period ends March 19. No late entries will be accepted. The online method is the only way to apply.
Applicants must possess a hunting license valid for the hunt for which they are applying.
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IDNR Report
The Indiana DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife has landed funding that will contribute to a new grassland and pollinator habitat development program that will benefit private landowners.
The "Grasslands for Gamebirds & Songbirds" initiative, called GGS for short, will employ three full-time "grassland biologists" who will provide technical and financial assistance to private landowners hoping to improve their properties by developing grassland and pollinator habitat throughout focal regions of the state. This habitat development will benefit species such as bobwhite quail, ring-necked pheasant, Henslow's sparrow and loggerhead shrike.
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IDNR Report
The Indiana DNR is seeking individual partners and communities to participate in the Community Hunting Access Program (CHAP) in 2018.
In its second year, CHAP is an initiative through the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife to increase hunting opportunities for deer in urban and suburban areas. Doing so can help alleviate human-deer conflicts. CHAP provides community partners with financial and technical assistance to administer hunting programs in their communities.
As part of the program, managed hunts are administered by a certified CHAP coordinator trained in hunting safety, deer biology and public relations.
The community partner determines when and where managed hunts occur, what hunters can participate, and which certified CHAP coordinator they use or contract.
Communities interested in participating in CHAP must submit a grant application by March 31, 2018.
Training for people interested in becoming a certified CHAP coordinator will take place on Feb. 1. Before attending training, people interested in becoming a CHAP coordinator must complete the following prerequisites:
- Any state-sponsored Hunter Education certification.
- Any DFW-Approved Firearms Instructor Training. Examples include: National Rifle Association (NRA) Firearm Instructor Training, Indiana Hunter Education Instructor Academy, 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Certification, etc.
- Any DFW-Approved Formal Deer Hunting Training. Examples include: NRA Hunter Clinic Instructor Program Certification, QDMA Deer Steward 1 Certification, etc.
- Provide name and birthdate for routine DNR background check.
To sign up for the Feb. 1 CHAP Coordinator training, or for questions regarding certification pre-requisites, contact south region urban biologist Megan Dillon mdillon@dnr.IN.gov.
For more information on CHAP, the grant application, and the current certified CHAP Coordinators list, visit www.wildlife.IN.gov/9420.htm.