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IDNR Report
Mark Reiter
Mark Reiter, director of DNR's Division of Fish & Wildlife, has retired after 39 years of service.
Reiter started as a biologist aide in 1977. He quickly rose through the ranks as a laborer, property manager, staff specialist, and eventually wildlife chief. After leaving the division for three years to work for the National Rifle Association, he returned as a wildlife staff specialist and public lands program manager before becoming director of Fish & Wildlife in 2009.
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IDNR Report
Christopher Brackett, 41, former host of the Outdoor Channel hunting show "Fear No Evil," has pled guilty in federal court to unlawful transportation of wildlife, in violation of the Lacey Act.
Brackett, of East Peoria, Ill., admitted to killing two bucks within minutes of each other in Indiana in December 2013 while filming an episode for his show.
Indiana law only allowed hunters to kill one buck per season. Brackett also admitted to transporting the larger buck, which he nicknamed "Unicorn Buck," across state lines to his home in Illinois.
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IDNR Report
The emergency order restricting motorized watercraft operation on the Indian Lakes Chain in LaGrange County has been rescinded.
Normal boating operations may resume. The Indian Lakes Chain consists of Dallas, Witmer, Hackenberg, Westler, and Messick lakes.
The emergency order prohibiting the operation of all motorized watercraft for the West Lakes Chain, which consists of Waldron, Steinbarger, Tamarack, and Jones lakes in Noble County, will continue. This is due to concern regarding high-water levels.
To stay updated on Indiana boating advisories, see: dnr.IN.gov/lawenfor/8520.htm
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IDNR Report
Indiana’s reserved hunt application periods opened July 1 for dove, waterfowl, deer and pheasant. The application period for dove will close July 29, and the application period for deer will close Aug. 26. Waterfowl and pheasant application periods will close on Sept. 16.
You can only apply for these hunts online. To get started with an application, go to on.IN.gov/reservedhunt and click on “Apply for a reserved hunt.” Only one application per hunt is allowed, and no changes can be made once an application is submitted. Applicants must possess a hunting license valid for the hunt for which they are applying.
To find out more about reserved hunt applications that are open or opening soon, visit on.IN.gov/reservedhunt.
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St. Joseph County Parks will continue its deer management program at St. Patrick’s County Park during the upcoming archery season.
The main purpose of the program is to harvest antlerless deer to maintain a healthy deer population. The area where the archery management program will take place is primarily limited to 105-acres in the southeast corner of St. Patrick’s County Park and hunters will be assigned to hunt in a specific zone within this area.
Six hunters (four alternates) will be selected by lottery. All hunters must be Indiana-licensed archery hunters (October 1 – January 5, 2019.) A proficiency test and mandatory safety meeting is required. Dates for meeting will be announced after drawing.
Individuals should log onto the St. Joseph County Parks’ web site (www.sjcparks.org) for the Archer Application forms listed under “Deer Management Information.” Applications are due August 2.
For more information, call 574-654-3155.