SJC Parks Report

St. Joseph County Parks will implement a second deer management program at Bendix Woods County Park in New Carlisle this December.

Bendix Woods County Park consists of 195 acres with 27 acres dedicated as a state dedicated nature preserves, a classification given to high quality ecosystems. Review and approval for the deer management program was required by the Division of Nature Preserves of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The district biologist for the Division of Fish and Wildlife assisted in the assessment.

The deer management hunt (muzzleloader) will take place on December 4 and December 5, 2021. Bendix Woods County Park will be closed to the public on these dates. To emphasize deer population reduction, the management program will be an antlerless hunt.

Three hunters, plus one alternate will be selected by a lottery to participate. Hunters must possess an Indiana Bonus Antlerless License. The deadline for applications is October 15. A mandatory meeting with park staff is required. Meeting will be held November 3 at 6pm at the Bendix Woods Nature Center.

The decision to implement an deer management plan was based on several† factors: (1) the staff observed more deer and deer trails within the park property, and have observed increased damage to key indicator plants species such as trillium and other fauna; (2) the staff wants to act proactively, to protect the forest ecosystem and the nature preserve.

More information and Hunter Application Forms are available at www.sjcparks.org.