Illiana’s Family Fun Travel Guide
2012
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Go Travel Guide
Welcome to GO!
Staff
Editor — Carla Waters Contributing Writers — Jennifer Baldwin, Gwen Rodenberger, Scott Allen, Jordan Crook, Chad Husted, Amber Melvin, Harley Tomlinson, Lindsey Phelps, Wendy Davis, Cindy Ward, Zachary Van Vuren, Sherri Morrison Advertising — Roberta Kempen, Greg Willhite, Debbi Rayls, Anita Padgett, Deb Carlson, Karen Franscoviak, Cindy Beck, Cheryl Duffala, Jennifer Engriser, Sallly Snow, Christina Tryon, Cindy Teeter, Misty Courtney Composing — Jane Raasch, Karen Harper, Mary Kay Rabe, Misty Longstreth, Sherri Chaney, Brandon Allen
2012
GO is Illiana’s premier family vacation guide. It’s filled with great stories and ideas of where to go for family fun from Attica, Ind., to Hoopeston, Ill. ; from Watseka, Ill., to Monticello, Ind., and all places in between. GO is the official vacation guide to interesting and fun places to visit in Illiana. You like lakes? GO has them. You like festivals? GO has them. You like historical places? GO has them.
Twin States Publishing Times-Republic 1492 E. Walnut Watseka, Ill., 60970
Kankakee Valley Publishing
Rensselaer Republican 117 N. Van Rensselaer St. Rensselaer, Ind., 47978
Inside:
Herald Journal 114 S. Main St. Monticello, Ind., 47960
Indiana Beach, Monticello, Ind. Madam Carroll, Monticello, Ind. Monon Connection Museum, Monon, Ind. Fair Oaks Dairy Adventure, Fair Oaks, Ind. Williamsport Falls, Williamsport, Ind. County Fairs, Illiana Area Sweetcorn Festival, Hoopeston, Ill. Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area of Jasper-Pulaski Cos. Ind.
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Indiana Beach continues to be summer mainstay
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t’s time to come and enjoy a summer full of fun at Indiana Beach, the amusement park that proves time and time again that there is more than corn in Indiana. A summer mainstay in White County, Indiana Beach will be undergoing major renovations at the start of the 2012 season — giving a new look to an old favorite. Classics like the Falling Star, Water Swings and Music Express have been relocated, to make way for Adventure Point — an attraction that will feature zip lines, a high Please see BEACH, page 4
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Beach from page 3 ropes course, rock climbing and an outfitters shop. In addition to the new attractions, park officials have been busy updating existing features, including restrooms and the famous Indiana Beach boardwalk, to help make the park more inviting to visitors. Indiana Beach will continue its Friday and Saturday night fireworks shows along with thrill and ski shows held daily after Father’s Day. Parking is free at the south (main) entrance and in the north parking lot. Admission is $2.50 to enter the park as a spectator, and ride passes are $5. For those 48 inches or taller, it’s now $24.95 for an all day rides pass or $34.95 for a combination rides and water park pass; a water park pass is $16.95. For those shorter than 48 inches, it’s $18.95 for a rides pass, $28.95 for the combo pass and $12.95 for a water park pass. Those who purchase passes online at www.indianabeach.com will save $2 on combo passes. Adventure Point upgrades are $10 or $5 with a season pass. Season passes are available for $59.95. Indiana Beach, located at 5224 E. Indiana Beach Rd., Monticello, is also home to more than 20 amusement rides as well as carnival games. For a more relaxing day, take a ride on the Shafer Queen — a majestic paddle-wheeler offering visitors a 30-minute ride, or a 75-minute sightseeing excursion on the beautiful waters of Lake Shafer. Indiana Beach also boasts six water slides for a cool experience on hot, steamy days.
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2012
2012
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Take a ride on the Madam Carroll at Indiana Beach
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ounds of music and good times waft across the waters of Lake Freeman each Saturday evening as the 135 foot, tripledecker river boat Madam Carroll leaves her dock for a two hour cruise. The Madam Carroll, in operation since 1976, has become a tradition for local residents and a delightful new experience for visitors as they enjoy a delightful cocktail from the lounge bar, a tasty snack and the sounds of live music while drifting past the shoreline of the lake on a summer evening. Saturday night cruises begin Memorial Day weekend and run through Labor Day weekend with a variety of popular local bands performing on the enclosed lower deck. On the second deck passengers can stop in at the snack bar before taking the air at the rail on the open second deck. To get Please see RIDE, page 6
KERSTING’S
Harley-Davidson Cycle Center & Museum www.kerstingscycle.com
The World of Motorcycles Museum
DeMotte Chamber of Commerce
“Touch of Dutch” Festival Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012 Park Centre • Spencer Park DeMotte
10 a.m. - Parade 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Arts & Crafts, Concession Booths, Business Expo, Farmers Market, Live Entertainment, Much More 5-9 p.m. - Get your Blues fix with Michael Murphy & The Mob Over 100 Antique Motorcycles on Display
Machines From Eight Different Countries That Span Nearly Nine Decades Of History Bring The Family Enjoy An Afternoon Of Nostalgia
877-537-7846 8774 W 700 N • Winamac, IN (4 mi. S. of North Judson on Hwy. 39) Small donation requested at museum
Every Wednesday 2-7 p.m. until Oct. 3 at Spencer Park
219-987-5800 Still time for booth space - Applications available online. www.demottechamber.org
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Monon Connection Museum chugs along daily
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hugging along the rails of a bygone era is one Monon location offering a history lesson and tasty fare all in one stop on the line. The Monon Connection Museum and Whistle Stop Restaurant, located 1.5 miles north of Monon on U.S. 421, offers a world class collection of artifacts and memorabilia from the railroads bygone era. Museum exhibits include an exquisite display of dining car china and silver, hundreds of hand-held lanterns, some dating back to pre Civil War, dozens of immaculately restored brass steam locomotive bells and whistles, a completely furnished, full size replica of an Illinois Central depot, plus numerous other authentic pieces that will enable
visitors of all ages to relive a time when the railroad was the king of the transportation industry. The Whistle Stop Restaurant, which is adjacent to the museum, offers a full service menu. The Monon Connection Museum is open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. The Whistle Stop Restaurant is open Monday through Thursday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Ride from page 5 up close and personal, you can visit Captain Kit on the upper deck as he keeps a watchful eye on the lake below from the pilot house – but look out, he may entertain you with stories of the area or adventures on the high seas! While regular Saturday cruises begin at
8:30 p.m. (begin boarding at 7:30 p.m.) and 10:30 p.m., some Friday evening dinner cruises with catered meals are scheduled throughout the season as well. The Madam Carroll can be chartered for private parties, proms, weddings, wed-
ding receptions, business outings, class and family reunions, tour groups, fundraisers or any other special event. The ticket office is just in front of the dock and accepts credit cards, but credit cards are not accepted on the boat itself.
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Fair Oaks Dairy Adventure offers education, fun
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id you know that every cow’s nose has a unique nose print just like a human finger print? Did you know cattle can smell things up to six miles away? How about that the ancient Romans value cows so much that wealth was measured in terms of cattle? Say cheese, milk and so much more at The Fair Oaks Dairy Adventure, not your ordinary information center. Owned by the Bos, den Dulk, McCloskey, Schakel, and Van Ravenswaay families, Fair Oaks is located on an operating dairy farm and offers exhibits that explain how the dairy industry protects the environment,
Please see DAIRY, page 8
Beautiful banquet facility with seating for up to 80 guests. Romantic outdoor setting for weddings & receptions. Gift shop features specialty cheeses, unique wine lovers accessories. 2012 Upcoming Events: May 19- Wine-a-rita Night June 10- Art On The Vine Meets The Classics Aug. 10- Sangria Serenade Sept. 8- Celebraton Of The Harvest and Grape Stomping Contest Oct. 7Art On The Vine Meets The Classics
FAMILY FUN!
Will deliver, call for details.
10% off 1 Hour Only
Parties of 10 or More
Located between Monticello and Logansport off Highway 24 and Lake Cicott Crooked Creek Trails, 7187 W. CR 250N., Royal Center, IN 46978
(574) 643-9395
www.crookedcreektrails.com 250N
Tuesday-Saturday 11-7 Sunday Noon-6 • Monday Closed
574.583.2345
Pony Rentals Available for Birthday Parties!
Walk, Trot, Canter (By Appt.)
• Chaperoned Horseback Rides (Novice to Experienced Riders Welcome) • Over 200 Acres of Scenic Trails, Woods, Ponds and Wildlife • Moonlight Rides $35 per person, Must be 18 or older • Church and Youth Groups Welcome • Horseback Riding Lessons by Appointment • Horses for Sale & Boarding Available • Camping - Primitive • Tack Shop • Pony Rides 3-6 Years $10.00 • Firewood for sale - delivery to campsite available.
Whyte Horse Winery Hours: 1510 Airport Rd. Monticello, Indiana 47960
$15 PER 30 Min. - All Ages $20 Per 1 Hour - All Ages $30 Advanced Riding -
4 miles
250 N.
3 miles
Crooked Creek Trails
1100 W. – Cass Co. Line Monticello
Burnettsville
All this and more located between Monticello and Logansport off Highway 24 and Lake Cicott 7187 W. CR 250N., Royal Center, IN 46978
(574) 643-9395 • 800-317-5016 OPEN ALL YEAR 9am - 6pm
Horses & Ponies For Sale
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Dairy
from page 7 cares for the dairy cows and ensures the high quality milk possible. Tickets are just $10 for adults, $8 for children three-12 and free for kids two and under. Fair Oaks is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (all times Central).
Newton County Fair July 16-21, 2012 GRANDSTAND SCHEDULE SATURDAY, JULY 14 Harness Racing ...........................................11:00 am SUNDAY, JULY 15 Church Night, Sheep Arena............................7:00 pm MONDAY, JULY 16 Little Miss & Mister Pageant........................6:30 pm Queen Pageant .............................................8:00 pm TUESDAY, JULY 17 Thompson Square with special guest Easton Corbin.................................................8:00 pm WEDNESDAY, JULY 18 Rodeo...............................................................7:00 pm THURSDAY, JULY 19 Earth Night (Sheep Arena).............................4:00 pm 4-H Night (Norm EkstromĂs Show Arena). . . . . ..8:00 pm Family Comedy Night with Illusionist Steve Mills & Comedian Stephen Knight ......................7:00 pm
FRIDAY, JULY 20 ITPA Truck & Tractor Pull ..........................7:00 pm SATURDAY, JULY 21 Supercross Racing........................................7:00 pm FREE STAGE SCHEDULE MONDAY, JULY 16 Mason Kross.......................................8:00 - 10:00 pm TUESDAY, JULY 17 Jenny Madrigal ....................................6:30 - 8:00 pm WEDNESDAY, JULY 18 The Jhonny & Sallie Show ..............8:00 - 10:00 pm THURSDAY, JULY 19 Wired....................................................8:00 - 10:00 pm FRIDAY, JULY 20 15th & Hulman...................................8:00 - 10:00 pm SATURDAY, JULY 21 Triple Ot Buck....................................8:00 - 10:00 pm
Newton County Fairgrounds , just north of Kentland, Indiana
36th Annual
August 25, 2012
SAT. AUGUST 25, 2012 - 8AM-5PM
ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL FREE ADMISSION & PARKING
COME TO KOUTS
And enjoy a fun-filled family day. We will have a parade, porkburger eating contest, lots of food, arts & crafts & entertainment. For information phone: (219) 766-0720 or go to www.koutsporkfest.com
Located at the intersections of St. Rd. 8 and 49 in Downtown Kouts.
No open alcohol permitted on streets or sidewalks
Sponsored by: Kouts Festival & Events
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Indiana’s highest free falling waterfall in Williamsport
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arren County, Indiana is a very rural and quaint area with small niches only locals can point someone towards. It’s one of these small little places that holds Indiana’s highest free falling waterfall. Williamsport is located near the Wabash River in the central part of Warren County. The county seat, it was originally platted in 1828 by William Harrison, for whom it is named. Located along State Road 28, the Williamsport Falls are tucked away behind the fire station on Monroe Street near the junction of Monroe and Fall streets. The falls are 90 feet high and are not always flowing with water. Therefore, this falls is sometimes known as a “dry falls.” Fall Creek, which is the source of the water for the falls, swells with the rain and gives the falls a thunderous sound after a large rainfall. The mist from the falls springs high into the
air and can be seen The falls can somefrom Fall and Monroe times be seen to have a streets. double stream as it cas The falls were home cades over the ledge to a sandstone quarry and falls to the creek which was operated below and in the winby Messrs, Belding and ter, if the water flows Miller. The stone was and the temperature lifted from the botis low enough, a large tom of the falls with ice formation is haunta steam engine. The ingly breathtaking as it seems to be a waterfall quarry employed several in the area when frozen in time. it was in operation. In recent years, a Many of the sandstone large lookout was built blocks raised from this at the falls to give creek bed were used as onlookers a better view the foundations for Please see FALLS, page 10 local buildings.
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Williamsport Falls Junction is a pavilion/deck area where picnickers can enjoy the scenery of the Williamsport Falls and the quaintness of downtown Williamsport. If you look close enough, there is an outline of a Native American chief complete with headdress watching over the Williamsport Falls.
Falls from page 9 as the water falls over the precipice. This lookout is built for safety and it gives a great view of the actual falls, putting the onlooker out over the edge a bit to see the pristine beauty of the area. Near the railroad tracks, a pavilion/deck structure were constructed to give visitors and area to enjoy a rest or picnic and hear the rushing sounds of a running falls. Williamsport Falls Junction ties the railroad and falls together. It boasts four stained glass windows which portray the four seasons of summer, winter, fall and spring. Such an amazing feature is tucked just over the railroad tracks and behind the fire station and is open to the public seven days a week.
40th Annive
rsary
LABOR DAY WEEKEND, AUG. 31-SEPT. 3, 2012 Community Park • Earl Park, Indiana FRIDAY, AUGUST 31st
Flag Raising, Fish Fry, Bluegrass Music
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1st
Men’s Softball, Truck and Tractor Pull, Kid’s Wa-shoos, Disc Golf, Pedal Tractor Pull, Chicken Noodle Dinner, Bluegrass Music
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd Men’s Softball, Mud Volleyball, Auto Show, Chicken Dinner, Weed Wacker Pullers, Demo Derby, Bluegrass Music MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd Almost Anything Goes, Horseshoes Double Tourney, Dodgeball, Cake Walk, Parade, Spaghetti Dinner, Raffle/Drawing, Close of Festival
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Check out the county fairs Illinois Fairs Adams July 26-Aug. 1 Bond Aug.2 -7 Boone Aug. 7-12 Brown July 31-Aug. 4 Bureau Aug. 22-26 Calhoun Sept. 8-11 Carroll Aug. 7-11 Cass July 17-21 Champaign July 20-28 Christian July 10-15 Clark July 28-Aug. 5 Clay July 14-22 Clinton July 12-21 Coles July 29-Aug. 5 Crawford July 21-28 Cullom Aug. 8-11 Decatur-Macon June 1-10 DuPage July 25-29 DuQuoin Aug. 24-Sept. 3 Edgar July 21-28 Edwards July 18-28 Effingham Aug. 3-11 Elizabeth July 20-22 Fairbury Aug. 15-19 Farmer City July 17-21 Fayette July 8-14 Fisher July 10-14 Ford June 24-30 Franklin July 12-19 Fulton July 25-30 Gallatin Aug. 31-Sept. 9 Georgetown Aug. 4-11 Green June 16-23 Greenup-Cumberland Aug. 19-25 Grundy June 30-July 4 Hancock July 18-22 Heart of IL July 13-21 Henderson July 15-21 Henry June 19-24 Illinois State Fair Aug. 9-19 Iroquois July 18-23 Jasper June 24-30
Jefferson July 20-28 Jersey July 7-15 JoDaviess Aug. 2-5 Kane July 18-22 Kankakee Aug. 1-5 Kendall Aug. 2-5 Knox July 31-Aug. 4 Lake July 25-29 LaSalle July 11-15 Lawrence July 28-Aug. 4 Lee July 26-29 Logan July 31-Aug. 5 Macoupin July 15-21 Madison July 24-29 Marion July 28-Aug. 4 Marshall-Putnam July 11-15 Martinsville July 8-14 Mason July 23-26 Massac July 13-21 McDonough July 9-13 McHenry Aug. 1-5 McLean Aug. 1-5 McLeansboro June 15-23 Menard July 17-22 Mercer July 10-14 Monroe July 22-29 Montgomery June 20-24 Morgan July 11-15 Moultrie-Douglas July 8-14 Moultrie-Sullivan July 27-28 Nashville-Washington July 9-14 Ogle Aug. 1-5 Okawville Sept. 14-16 Pana Aug. 29-Sept. 3 Perry June 9-16 Piatt June 18-24 Pike July 11-14 Pulaski Aug. 12-18 Randolph July 13-22 Richland July 6-14 Rock Island July 16-21 Saline July 22-28 Sandwich Sept. 5-9 Sangamon June 13-17
Schuyler June 29-July 4 Scott July 29-Aug. 3 Shelby July 16-19 Southern Illinois Fair Aug. 18-26 St. Clair Aug. 8-12 Stark July 27-30 Stephenson July 10-15 Wayne July 7-14 Tri-County Aug. 31-Sept. 3 Vermilion June 19-23 Veteran’s Memorial July 30-Aug. 1 Wabash July 21-27 Warren July 21-28 Western Illinois June 20-24 White July 28-Aug. 4 Whiteside Aug. 15-19 Will Aug. 22-26 Williamson June 24-30 Winnebago Aug. 14-19
Indiana Fairs Allen July 24-29 Bartholomew July 6-14 Benton July 26-29 Blackford June 23-30 Boone July 20-26 Brown July 29-Aug. 4 Cass July 8-14 Clark July 13-21 Clinton July 8-14 Daviess June 22-30 Dearborn June 18-23 Decatur July 12-20 Dubois July 14-21 Elkhart July 20-28 Fayette July 28-Aug. 1 Floyd July 9-14 Fulton July 14-21 Gibson July 8-14 Grant June 17-23 Greene July 15-23 Please see FAIRS, page 12
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(Left) Sara Conley was crowned Miss Iroquois County Fair Queen last year. Another fair queen pageant will take place at the Iroquois County Fair this year. (Below) 4-H club members in Iroquois County take part in fun and games events. (Right) Fallon Gray participates in the sheep costume lead at the Iroquois County Fair.
(Right) Blake Clatterbuck and Damen Whittington perform in the Iroquois County Fair Talent Show last year.
Fairs from page 11 Hamilton July 19-24 Hancock June 22-29 Harrison July 29-Aug. 4 Hendricks July 14-21 Howard July 9-14 Indiana State Fair Aug. 3-19 Jackson July 22-28 Jasper July 14-20 Jay July 25-30 Jefferson July 5-14 Johnson July 15-21 Knox July 23-28 Kosciusko July 9-14 LaGrange July 7-14 Lake Aug. 3-12 LaPorte July 8-14 Lawrence July 7-14 Madison July 15-21
Marion June 22-30 Martin July 20-24 Monroe July 28-Aug. 4 Mooreland Aug. 6-11 Morgan July 27-Aug. 4 Newton July 16-21 Noble July 14-23 Owen July 15-21 Parke July 21-28 Pike July 20-28 Porter July 19-28 Pulaski July 1-6 Putnam July 20-27 Randolph July 21-26 Rush June 23-30 Scott July 15-21 Shelby July 2-7 Spencer June 22-26
St. Joseph June 29-July 7 Stark July; 14-21 Steuben July 2026 Sullivan July 14-21 Switzerland July 14-21 Tippecanoe July 21-28 Vanderburgh July 23-28 Vermillion June 22-29 Vigo July 8-14 Wabash July 6-14 Warren June 26-30 Warrick July 16-21 Washington July 30-Aug. 4 Wayne June 23-30 Wells July 14-19 White July 21-26
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Sweetcorn Festival highlight of year in Illinois
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he National Sweetcorn Festival has been a tradition in the Hoopeston area for more than six decades, drawing thousands of people from across the country each year. The 69th National Sweetcorn Festival will be presented this Labor Day weekend. The four day annual event features several carnival rides, activities and competitions for all age groups. The events featured during the festival take place at McFerren Park in Hoopeston. This yearπs National Sweetcorn Festival will take place from Aug. 30-Sept. 3. The National Sweetcorn Festival is presented by the Hoopeston Jaycees and AJ Garrison is serving as this yearπs chairman. The festival began as a way for community members and farmers to celebrate the end of the harvesting season. Throughout the years it has evolved to encompass all aspects of life in the area with various rides, activities, events and pageants squeezed into several days of festivities. Various kinds of events and activities are available for all ages during the festival. The festival features musical performances, a flea market, a car show, games, petting zoos, a fishing derby carnival rides and a variety of other kinds of entertainment.
Please see FESTIVAL, page 14
(Above) Connor Vaughn attempts to throw a ring onto a soda bottle at one of the games in 2011 at the National Sweetcorn Festival in Hoopeston.
Fulton County Museum
ROUND BARN & LIVING HISTORY VILLAGE Fulton County Historical Power Show - third weekend in June Trail of Courage Living History Festival - 3rd week in September Haunted Woods Trail 3rd & 4th Fri. & Sat. in October Redbud Trail Rendezvous last weekend in April
Museum & Round Barn Open: Monday-Saturday from 9-5 Living History Village Tours: May thru August Miss National Sweetheart Simone Mullinax, representing Arkansas, rides in the 2011 National Sweetcorn Festival Grand Parade.
ROCHESTER, INDIANA 574-223-4436 www.fultoncountyhistory.org
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Visitors to the National Sweetcorn Festival walk through the carnival area of the 2011 festival in Hoopeston.
Festival from page 13 The annual grand parade features hundreds of walkers and floats traveling down Main Street in Hoopeston the Saturday of the festival. The Bill Orr Memorial-Sweetcorn 5K Classic run is also presented each year during the festival. The run begins in front of Honeywell Grade School on East Honeywell Avenue Saturday morning. There is also a one mile fun run/walk and Little Corn Eaters Run presented during the festival. There are also tractor/truck pulls and demolition derbies presented during the festival in the McFerren Park Annex. A key feature of the National Sweetcorn Festival is the National Sweetheart Pageant. The pageant consists of two preliminary rounds and a final round spread over three nights, beginning on Friday and ending Sunday, where contestants from across the country converge on
Hoopeston to compete for the title of Miss National Sweetheart. The contestants are runners-up from their individual state competition. The competition is affiliated with the Miss America Pageant and several contestants who have won the pageant have gone on to take the title of Miss America. The pageant takes place in the McFerren Park Civic Center. During their time in Hoopeston, the pageant contestants live with host families around the area. The contestants also take part in the grand parade and attend other events around the area in the week prior to the pageant. Miss Arkansas Simone Mullinax was named the 2011 Miss National Sweetheart during last yearπs competition. For more information about the 69th National Sweetcorn Festival, visit www. hoopestonjaycees.org.
(Above) Blake Waters rides the motorcycle ride at the 68th National Sweetcorn Festival in Hoopeston.
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Fish and wildlife area offers variety of activities
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he Jasper/Pulaski county area’s proximity to points both north and south has provided safe haven to 28,000 feathered friends during the bone-chilling months each year. The stopover: The JasperPulaski Fish & Wildlife Area, which has a handful of its 8,062 acres set aside for thousands of sandhill cranes during their fall migration to a warmer climate. Just as the birds migrate to the preserve so, too, do people from all walks of life in Indiana and surrounding states migrate to the park’s large viewing area to watch the trumpet-sounding fly and strut in a large open field. “It’s the single biggest attraction,” said Jason Gilbert, assistant manager at the JasperPulaski Fish & Wildlife Area. “At the most you will see around 30,000 cranes out here, but typically, it’s between 12-15,000. We get people from all over the Midwest and other states to come watch the cranes.” The most popular time to see the cranes is during the months of November and December before it becomes bitterly cold. Wildlife area officials recommend people come to the viewing area during dusk when the cranes fly in from area cornfields where they feed and rest between flights. Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area is dedicated to provid-
ing quality hunting and fishing opportunities while maintaining 8,062 acres of wetland, upland and woodland game habitat. Jasper-Pulaski’s suitable habitat provides an ideal stopover for migratory birds and waterfowl. “We have 12-14 different species of birds right now,” said Gilbert in early March. “We have a couple of eagles, pelicans … some rare things can come through here at any time.” The preserve is closed to vehicular traffic at the end of March so that the birds won’t be disturbed. There are no trails in the park, but does have fire lane access pathes for hunters. The preserve is also a good stop for mushroom hunting in the spring and wildlife viewing in the summer when the park is filled with all kinds of animal chatter. Picknickers also converge on the preserve at this time, but as Gilbert said, “There aren’t as many people this time of year as there is in the fall because of the cranes.” Acquisition of the land for Jasper-Pulaski began in 1929. During the 1930s, Jasper-Pulaski was designated as a game farm and game preserve. Hunting began at the property in 1958, and in 1965, the area was designated as a fish and game area. Then in 1972 the name was changed to fish and wildlife area. Most revenues used in land acquisition, development, operation and maintenance of Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area are derived from the sale of hunting, fishing and trapping licenses. Funds are also received from the federal Pittman-Robertson
and Dingell-Johnson programs to aid fish and wildlife restoration. These funds are derived from taxes levied on sport hunting and fishing equipment. Indiana hunters, anglers and trappers are proud to provide this property for the enjoyment of all people. ACTIVITIES Fishing • Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area provides fishing areas along the Ryan Ditch and two gravel pits with boat ramps. • Self-serve check-in is required for fishing. Some areas are restricted or closed during waterfowl seasons. Ask at headquarters for restrictions. • Primary species include catfish, bluegill and largemouth bass. • Both gravel pits have gravel boat ramps. A maximum 12-volt electric motor applies. • Shoreline fishing is available along the Ryan Ditch • There is a 14 inch minimum size limit for largemouth bass and 10 inch minimum for channel catfish. All other size and bag limits apply. Hunting • Deer, quail, rabbit, squirrel, snipe, dove, sora rails, woodcock, waterfowl and wild turkey are common at Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area. • Check-in is required. All hunting seasons and bag limits apply. Special hunts include dove and waterfowl hunts by
drawing. Pre-registration is required for wild turkey hunting. • See the current hunting regulations for details. • Area 12 is designated for dog training. Wildlife Watching • The 8,062 acres of JasperPulaski Fish and Wildlife Area offer a unique opportunity to observe large numbers of Canada geese and sandhill cranes. Two observation towers provide great viewing points to see thousands of sandhill cranes in fall migration. All visitors except picnickers are required to check in. Neighboring Land • Jasper-Pulaski State Nursery • Tefft Savanna Nature Preserve Additional Opportunities • Wetland trapping is available through drawing only. Ask for details. • A dog training area is provided in area 12. • Additional hunting opportunities include: dove and waterfowl hunts by drawings. Preregistration is required for turkey hunting. • Seasonally, large numbers of Canada geese and sandhill cranes can be seen from observation towers at Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area. • Berries, mushrooms and nuts may be gathered from the property. • Tefft Savanna Nature Preserve is located at JasperPulaski Fish and Wildlife Area.