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(Provided by Indiana DNR)
Indiana wildlife biologists plan to trap and relocate the black bear that has been seen numerous times in Michigan City the past few weeks. The trap was set the evening of July 15 at a confidential location.
Residents are asked not to attempt to interfere in any way with trapping.
On the night of July 14, Indiana Conservation Officers responded to multiple bear sightings in the Motts Park area of the city. Several residents reported seeing a bear rifling through trash and bird feeders near their homes. The bear also was reported walking on porches and standing against patio doors.
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The first-ever Sportsmen's Challenge will take place at the Rolling Prairie Olde Farmer's Fest Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when sportsmen will compete in archery, crossbow, casting, and axemanship.
Competitors will be individually ranked in each event, and the grand prize winners in the adult and youth divisions will be determined by the lowest combined rank for each sportsmanís best two events. Sportsmen can enter up to four events and are able to re-enter individual events as many times as they would like to better their chances of winning.
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(Provided by Indiana DNR)
The Indiana DNR has submitted to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) proposed 2015 dates for early season hunting of migratory birds in Indiana.
As in other years, these dates are not final until the USFWS approves them, which typically happens by the end of August. The season dates fall within the framework provided by USFWS, so no changes are anticipated.
Indiana's requested seasons have never been altered by USFWS after submission. However, there is always a slight possibility of change. Therefore, the dates below should not be interpreted as final. The DNR will announce the firm dates and any changes once the feds have responded.
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(Provided by Indiana DNR)
The DNR seeks volunteers to help gather information on recreational use at large northern Indiana lakes to learn about the spread of aquatic species.
Lakes involved in the project are Bass, Manitou, Maxinkuckee, Wawasee, Webster and Winona.
Volunteers will monitor selected boat ramps during high-use times to record boats entering or leaving the lake and if any aquatic species, such as plants, mussels or invertebrates, are attached. Volunteers will also record the type of watercraft and its home state, according to license plate.
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(Provided by Indiana DNR)
Indiana DNR wildlife biologists today confirmed the presence of a wild black bear in northern Indiana after the bear walked in from Michigan.
The DNR received reliable reports earlier in the week of the wandering bear northwest of South Bend in St. Joseph County and made the confirmation after wildlife biologist Budd Veverka examined waste material submitted to the DNR and identified it as bear scat.
ì"With black bears in some surrounding states, we were expecting a bear to show up eventually," said Mitch Marcus, Wildlife Section chief for the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife. "It's quite unusual and exciting for a Michigan lakeshore black bear to move this far south. Michigan DNR officials told us this is the southernmost black bear movement in more than a decade."
Although there have been occasional unconfirmed reports of bears in Indiana, this is the first verified presence of a bear in the state in more than 140 years.