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IDNR Report
The Indiana DNR continues to detect highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds throughout Indiana and has currently detected the H5NI virus in 30 counties. HPAI is also suspected in an additional 32 counties based on reports involving the deaths of raptors, cranes, and waterfowl.
Counties where avian influenza has been detected in wild birds currently are Adams, Allen, Bartholomew, Benton, Boone, Clinton, Decatur, Gibson, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Henry, Huntington, Jackson, Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Marion, Newton, Pike, Porter, Randolph, Ripley, Shelby, Starke, Tippecanoe, Union, Vanderburgh, and Vermillion.
HPAI is a disease caused by an influenza virus that usually spreads among birds. It is common in wild birds, especially waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors. Notably, more than 1,500 sandhill cranes have been affected by the virus since January, resulting in a large number of sandhill crane deaths in Greene, Jackson, Jasper, LaPorte, Newton, Starke, and Union counties.
If you find sick or dead wild birds, please report them at on.in.gov/sick wildlife.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the public health risk for HPAI is low. However, it is possible for humans to contract HPAI. People who have close contact with infected animals or their environments, such as poultry farm workers or wildlife rehabilitators, are at higher risk.
Members of the public should avoid contact with sick waterfowl and other sick wildlife whenever possible. However, if it is necessary to remove a carcass, safely dispose of it by wearing a mask and disposable gloves to double bag any carcasses and place them in a secure trash container. Wash hands immediately after with soap and warm water. Alternatively, a wildlife control operator can be hired to remove carcasses.
A list of wildlife control operators can be found here. DNR does not offer carcass removal services.
DNR continues to monitor avian influenza in affected species throughout the state.
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TIP Report
Hoosiers are reminded that when they see, hear or learn about someone illegally stealing wildlife, known as poaching, there’s an easy way to alert authorities – the Turn in a Poacher (TIP) program.
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.
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 nearly 1,025 tips and paid thousands of dollars in rewards for tips that led to the arrest of a suspect.
To support Indiana’s TIP program, Indiana Conservation Officers have added a new poaching awareness display trailer that helps highlight how poaching affects Indiana’s natural resources while advertising the TIP program. The trailer features evidence related to actual Indiana wildlife cases, allowing visitors to learn details of the cases.
The trailer was purchased under the direction of the International Wildlife Crimestoppers and in a partnership effort between the DNR Division of Law Enforcement and the Indiana Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, and the trailer’s wrap was provided by the TIP program.
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.
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IDNR Report
The Indiana DNR has confirmed Indiana’s second positive case of chronic wasting disease (CWD). CWD is a neurological disease that affects deer, resulting in their eventual death. The positive, wild white-tailed deer was a 2.5-year-old male harvested in Posey County.
CWD has been detected in wild deer in 36 states, including all states bordering Indiana.
During the 2025-2026 deer hunting season, DNR will enhance its surveillance efforts in Posey County and the surrounding counties to determine the extent of disease in this area. This will allow biologists to develop a targeted response based on the prevalence of CWD in this part of Indiana. CWD testing will be voluntary for hunters in this area.
“The public can help by reporting sightings of sick or dead deer to the DNR, as well as submitting harvested deer for testing during deer hunting season. Through increased awareness and testing, we can work to monitor CWD within Indiana’s deer population.” said Joe Caudell, Indiana DNR deer biologist.
There have been no reported cases of CWD infection in humans. DNR recommends that hunters have their deer tested, and that people do not eat meat from deer that test positive for CWD. See the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center's website for more information.
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IDNR Report
Lafayette angler Isaac Switzer has received confirmation of his state record shortnose gar caught last summer. The record will be shown in the 2025 listing.
His shortnose gar weighed 2 pounds, 15.9 ounces, beating the previous record by more than 10 ounces.
Switzer caught the fish on June 17, 2024, while using a Carolina rig and cut baitfish. It’s the second time in less than four years the species’ record has been broken, both times by catches on the Wabash River.
“I was fishing with my older brother on the Wabash River at night as we had done a hundred times before, targeting gar and catfish,” Switzer said of his record catch.
He said he instantly knew the fish was a shortnose gar record, having researched the record and catching similar size fish of the species previously.
Switzer considers gar one of the best Hoosier fish and hopes that the recent broken records raise awareness about them.
Gar are common throughout Indiana in rivers, streams, creeks, inland lakes, reservoirs, sloughs, and marshes. Anglers who want to target the species or another Indiana sport fish can use DNR’s Fisheries Status & Trends dashboard to find lakes and reservoirs where they are most abundant.
The previous shortnose gar record was set by Kyle Hammond with a 2-pound, 5.6-ounce fish caught in Wabash County in 2021. Hammond also holds the spotted gar state record, which he caught in 2024.
Licenses valid April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026, can be purchased through the new DNR Fish & Wildlife Activity Hub at GoOutdoorsIN.com, via the mail, or thorough in-person retailers listed at on.IN.gov/HuntFishLicenseRetailers.
Learn more about the Indiana Record Fish program at on.IN.gov/recordfish.
Learn about purchasing a fishing license at on.IN.gov/fishinglicense.