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IDNR Report
All veterans and active-duty military personnel, and everyone in their vehicle, will be admitted free to DNR-managed state parks, reservoir properties, state forest recreation areas, and off-road state recreation areas on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11.
This includes admission to Falls of the Ohio State Park’s Interpretive Center.
“We honor the sacrifices and service of our veterans and active-duty military and look forward to recognizing them with a day exploring some of Indiana’s most treasured natural places,” said Brandt Baughman, director of Indiana State Parks.
Veterans and military personnel should simply tell the gate attendant at the property that they are either a veteran or serving and on active duty.
For general information about state parks, reservoirs, forest properties, and off-road state recreation areas, see on.IN.gov/recguide.
For information about interpretive programs at state parks and reservoirs, see interpretiveservices.IN.gov.
- Details
IDNR Report
All veterans and active-duty military personnel, and everyone in their vehicle, will be admitted free to DNR-managed state parks, reservoir properties, state forest recreation areas, and off-road state recreation areas on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11.
This includes admission to Falls of the Ohio State Park’s Interpretive Center.
“We honor the sacrifices and service of our veterans and active-duty military and look forward to recognizing them with a day exploring some of Indiana’s most treasured natural places,” said Brandt Baughman, director of Indiana State Parks.
Veterans and military personnel should simply tell the gate attendant at the property that they are either a veteran or serving and on active duty.
For general information about state parks, reservoirs, forest properties, and off-road state recreation areas, see on.IN.gov/recguide.
For information about interpretive programs at state parks and reservoirs, see interpretiveservices.IN.gov.
- Details
IDNR Report
Indiana Conservation Officers encourage Hoosiers to help the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) put an end to poaching by reporting potential violations to Turn In a Poacher, Inc. (TIP).
TIP is a nonprofit conservation organization that partners with DNR to protect fish and wildlife resources by increasing public support and involvement in bringing violators to justice.
A poacher is a thief who illegally steals wildlife that belongs to all Hoosiers. DNR manages wildlife for everyone, and every person can help TIP support DNR efforts by reporting potential violations at 1-800-TIP-IDNR (800-847-4367) or tip.IN.gov. Doing so will help conserve wildlife for future generations.
Call TIP if you see, hear, or learn about poaching or another violation regarding fish and wildlife. If your “TIP” leads to an arrest, you may receive as much as a $500 reward, or you can remain anonymous if you choose. In 2024, TIP received 1,025 tips and paid thousands of dollars in rewards for tips that led to the arrest of a suspect.
“Our citizens are key in the fight to help stop poaching in Indiana. They are a main reason why the Indiana TIP program has been successful in bringing those who violate fish and wildlife laws to justice,” said Col. Steve Hunter, director of DNR Law Enforcement.
To view all DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.
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IDNR Report
The Indiana DNR asks the public to report sightings of Mediterranean geckos (Hemidactylus turcicus), an exotic lizard species that is not dangerous and has been observed at several locations across the state.
Please email sightings, especially those backed by photographs, to HerpSurveys@dnr.IN.gov, including the photograph(s). This will help the DNR track locations of this introduced species.
Mediterranean geckos are native to the Mediterranean region of Europe and northern Africa. They are 4 to 5 inches long and are tan or pink with brown blotches on their body. They can also be identified by their warty skin, banded tail, and large, bulging eyes that have vertical pupils. The lizards are most active at night and can be observed near outdoor lights, feeding on insects during the warm season, or inside buildings at any time of year.
DNR biologists have received photo-backed reports of Mediterranean geckos in recent years. Most involve a small number arriving as hitchhikers on shipments.
Mediterranean geckos are the most widespread exotic lizard species introduced to the United States. These lizards are closely associated with man-made structures and typically live in and around buildings. They cannot easily spread in Indiana because they need a heated building to survive winter; therefore, they are not considered a threat to Indiana’s natural resources.
For more information on Mediterranean geckos, visit wildlife.IN.gov/wildlife-resources/animals/mediterranean-gecko/.
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IDNR Report
Indiana Conservation Officers encourage Indiana hunters to donate harvested deer to help feed Hoosiers in need.
“Venison harvested through hunting is an important source of nourishment for Hoosier families,” said Col. Steve Hunter, director of DNR Law Enforcement. “Through Hunt for Hunger, hunters can donate a deer and expand that generous impact to even more Hoosiers in need across the state.”
Hunt for Hunger, a program administered by the DNR Division of Law Enforcement, provides grants to the division’s nonprofit partners, including Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry, the Dubois County Sportsmen Club, and Hunters and Farmers Feeding the Hungry, to pay for meat processing fees when hunters donate legally harvested deer. Participating in the program is simple:
- Enjoy a deer hunting experience.
- Harvest a deer.
- Drop off the field-dressed deer at a local participating processor.
- Processing fees are paid for by Hunt for Hunger (no cost to the donating hunter).
- The processor creates healthy venison burger to distribute to food banks.
The participating organizations notify food banks throughout Indiana when venison is ready to be collected from certified Hunt for Hunger processors. The food banks distribute venison to soup kitchens and food pantries. More than 500,000 pounds of venison have been donated by Hoosier hunters since the program’s inception in 2008.
For information on donating harvested deer and a list of participating processors, please visit on.IN.gov/huntforhunger.