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.