Tri state outdoors magazine sept :oct 2016

Page 1

! September/October 2016 • WARRICKNEWS.COM e e r F



What’s inside READY TO HUNT?

Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois are ready for their respective hunting seasons.

CHECKING...

Hunting outof-state? Be sure to know about Chronic Wasting Disease.

04 10 CONTEST TIME!

Want to earn a free head mount? Check out our contest!

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WATER TO LAND

A jon boat makes hunting even more fun.

TURTLE POWER

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FALL FEST

TESTING

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POWER OF THE PRESS

CALL OF NATURE

30 34

NATIVE HABITAT

The Eastern Box Turtle adds beauty to the forest floor.

Indiana DNR is adjusting its testing of Bovine TB in wild deer.

Proper buck calling isn’t an easy lesson, but it’s worth learning.

Evansville’s West Side staple is ready to for its 95th annual street festival.

Proper trigger pull can be the difference in a good or bad shot.

Planting native trees is a win/win situation.

Warrick Publishing Co. 204 W. Locust Street Boonville, Indiana 47601 (812) 897-2330

A Tri-State Media Publication

PUBLISHER Gary Neal | gwneal@aol.com MANAGING EDITOR Emily May | emay@warricknews.com GRAPHIC DESIGN Lisa Polk | advertising@warricknews.com STAFF WRITERS Jessica Squires | jsquires@warricknews.com Marisa Patwa | mpatwa@warricknews.com SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS Tom Fuller Ken McBroom Julie Lockhart ADVERTISING Karen Hullett | kcraig@warricknews.com Debi Neal | business@warricknews.com In Gibson County: Kelli Nidley | kelli@pdclarion.com Michelle Schumacher | michelle@pdclarion.com Courtney Shuttle | courtney@pdclarion.com In Illinois Ann Foss | afoss@mtcarmelregister.com Sandra Higgins | skhpiglet@mtcarmelregister.com Joey Luecke | jluecke@mtcarmelregister.com Phil Summers | psummers@mtcarmelregister.com CIRCULATION Tammy Franz | circulation@warricknews.com ACCOUNTING Kristina Morris | kmorris@warricknews.com


Indiana Hunting Regulations

4 Tri-State

Outdoors | September/October 2016

WHAT’S NEW IN 2016

Three notable changes are in place for the 2016-17 hunting and trapping seasons. The first involves certain rifles for deer hunting, sometimes referred to as high-powered rifles. The state legislature passed a law earlier this year that allows some new rifle options for deer hunting on private land only. The new law does not affect regulations for other rifles previously allowed for deer hunting. In summary, the new options have the following requirements: •The rifle must have a barrel length of at least 16 inches. •The cartridge must have a case length of at least 1.16 inches. •The cartridge must fire a bullet with a diameter that is .243 inches (same as 6mm) or .308 inches (same as 7.62 mm). •Bullets with a diameter smaller than .243 inches (same as 6mm), larger than .308 inches (same as 7.62mm), or in between .243 and .308 are not legal. •A hunter may not possess more than 10 cartridges for each of these rifles while hunting deer. •Full metal jacketed bullets are illegal. •The new rifle options can be used only on private land. The new law also approved use of a handgun that fires the 10mm Auto or .40-caliber Smith & Wesson to hunt deer during seasons when firearms are legal to use. Full metal jacketed bullets are illegal. Rifles and calibers meeting these requirements also can be used during the deer reduction zone season (Sept. 15-Jan. 31, 2017) in zones where local ordinances allow the use of a firearm, the youth deer season (Sept. 24 and 25), the firearms season (Nov. 12-27), and the special antlerless season (Dec. 26-Jan. 1, 2017). See wildlife.IN.gov/7389.htm for a list of some of the legal rifle cartridges and additional information about firearms that are legal to use for deer hunting. In other legislative action, state law now prohibits the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (i.e., drones) to search for, scout, locate, or detect a wild animal as an aid to taking that animal during the hunting season, and for 14 days prior to the hunting season for that animal. An “unmanned aerial vehicle” means an aircraft that (a)

does not carry a human operator, and (b) is capable of flight under remote control or autonomous programming. The third change involves untanned hides or unprocessed carcasses of furbearers. Previously, they were illegal to possess after certain dates. There is no longer a deadline for the possession of lawfully obtained untanned hides or unprocessed carcasses of furbearers taken during the season. Furbearers include the following species: red and gray fox, coyote, striped skunk, Virginia opossum, beaver, mink, muskrat, raccoon and long-tailed weasel. Also, a new online licensing system was unveiled earlier this year – INHuntFish.com. The new system requires customers 18 and older to create an online account. Customers can use the account to buy their licenses, buy or redeem gift certificates, get their Harvest Information Program (HIP) number, and make donations. If you’re already a DNR customer, log in using the Customer ID located on the top left of a previous license. Improvements include: •Free reprints of licenses. •The ability to save a license to your smartphone through the print feature. (Electronic copies of licenses are now valid.) •An option to print all valid licenses on one piece of paper, regardless of purchase date. •The ability to view active licenses and licenses that have expired in the last 30 days. •License options adjusted for your age, residency and hunter education status. •Quick links for hunting, fishing and trapping regulations, the Wild Bulletin e-newsletter, and social media accounts for the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife. •A “shopping cart” feature that allows you to see what you are buying. •Email receipts. The system accepts Visa, Mastercard and Discover. A future version will include the CheckIN Game feature for hunters using computers and mobile devices to report their harvest through their account. ----Information taken from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources website.


Tri-State Outdoors | September/October 2016 5

2016-2017 Indiana Hunting Seasons Furbearers

Huting Dates

Limit

Red and Gray Fox

Oct. 15, 2016-Feb. 28, 2017

No limit

Coyote, Striped Skunk

Oct. 15, 2016-March 15, 2017

No limit

Raccoon, Opossum

Nov. 8, 2016-Jan. 31, 2017

No limit

Dog running (raccoon, opossum)

Feb. 1-Oct. 25, 2016 Feb. 1-Oct. 25, 2017

Not applicable

Woodland Game Wild Turkey Youth Spring Spring Fall Archery (statewide) Fall Firearm Deer

Reduction Zone Youth Archery Firearms Muzzleloader Special Anterless

Squirrel (gray and fox) Upland Game Pheasant (cock only) Quail

North of Interstate 74 South of Interstate 74

Rabbit Miscellaneous

Hunting Dates

Limit

April 22-23, 2017 April 26-May 14, 2017 Oct. 1-Oct. 30, Dec. 3-Jan. 1 Oct. 19-30 *in certain counties*

One bearded or male turkey in spring. One bird of either sex for the fall archery and firearm combined.

Sept. 15, 2016-Jan. 31, 2017 Sept. 24 & 25, 2016 Oct. 1, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017 Nov. 12-27, 2016 Dec. 3-18, 2016 Dec. 26, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017

*See the 2016-2017 Indiana Hunting and Trapping Guide for bag limits for deer in all seasons.

Aug. 15, 2016-Jan. 31, 2017

Five per day

Huting Dates

Limit

Nov. 1-Dec. 15, 2016

Two per day

Nov. 1-Dec. 15, 2016 Nov. 1, 2016-Jan. 10, 2017

Four per day Eight per day

Nov. 1, 2016-Feb. 28, 2017

Five per day

Huting Dates

Limit

Crow

July 1-Aug. 15, 2016 Dec. 13, 2016-March 1, 2017

No limit

Frog (bull and green only)

June 15, 2016-April 30, 2017

25 per day

Game Turtles (Eastern snapping, smooth softshell, spiny softshell)

July 1, 2016-March 31, 2017

Four per day


Kentucky Hunting Regulations

6 Tri-State

Outdoors | September/October 2016

What’s new in 2016

•Hardin and Webster counties are now Zone 1. Marion County is now Zone 2. •At Grayson Lake WMA in Carter and Elliott counties, the December muzzleloader season is open under statewide regulations. •The one deer per license year limit on HigginsonHenry WMA in Union County has been removed. Statewide bag limits now apply. •Drawn quota hunters may bring one non-hunting person along on their hunt. The non-hunting person is not required to have applied for the quota hunt but must check in and check out with the drawn quota hunter and abide by hunter orange requirements. •At Big Rivers WMA in Crittenden and Union counties, an archery and crossbow quota hunt will start the Monday following the October youth-only firearms season and continue through November 30, except when closed during the two-day quota hunt that starts the first Saturday in November. All deer hunting seasons on this WMA are closed, except to drawn hunters, during quota hunts. •Except during youth quota hunts, deer taken on Land Between The Lakes in Trigg and Lyon counties are no longer “bonus” deer and will count against a hunter’s

DEER Modern Gun Archery

Crossbow

Muzzleloader

Zone 1

Zone 2

Nov. 12-27, 2016 (either sex)

statewide limit. The archery season on the Kentucky portion of Land Between The Lakes will run from the fourth Saturday in September through the first full weekend in January. The bag limit is one deer during the archery season.

Zones Zone 1: Ballard, Carlisle, Hickman, Fulton, McCracken, Graves, Livingston, Marshall, Calloway, Crittenden, Lyon, Caldwell, Trigg, Webster, Hopkins and Christian counties. Zone 2: Union, Henderson, McLean, Muhlenberg, Todd, Logan, Ohio, Grayson, Hart, Marion, Mercer, Jessamine, Fayette, Bourbon, Nicholas Fleming, Mason, Lewis, Carter, Greenup, Boyd and Lawrence. Zone 3: Daviess, Hancock, Breckinridge, Meade, Butler, Edmonson, Warren, Simpson, Barren, Allen, Monroe, Metcalfe, Cumberland, Adair, Taylor, Casey, Boyle, Lincoln, Madison, Clark, Montgomery, Bath, Rowan, Elliott, Estill, Powell, Morgan, Johnson and Wolfe. Zone 4: Garrard, Menifee, Russell, Clinton, Wayne, Pulaski, McCreary, Rockcastle, Laurel, Whitley, Jackson, Knox, Bell, Lee, Owsley, Clay, Harlan, Leslie, Breathitt, Magoffin, Knott, Perry, Letcher, Floyd, Pike and Martin.

Zone 3 Nov. 12-21, 2016 (either sex)

Zone 4

Nov. 12-21, 2016 (antlered only)

Sept. 3, 2016-Jan. 16, 2017 (either sex)

Sept. 3, 2016-Jan. 16, 2017 (either sex, except antlered only Oct. 15-16, Nov. 12-21 & Dec. 10-15)

Oct. 1-16 and Nov. 12-Dec. 31, 2016 (either sex)

Oct. 1-16 and Nov. 12-31, 2016 (either sex, except antlered only Oct. 15-16, Nov. 12-21, Dec. 10-15)

Oct. 15-16 and Dec. 10-18, 2016 (either sex)

Oct. 15-16 and Dec. 10-15 (antlered only) and Dec. 1618, 2016 (either sex)


Elk

Archery: Sept. 17, 2016-Jan. 16, 2017 (antlered); Oct. 15, 2016-Jan. 16, 2017 (antlerless). Crossbow: Sept. 24-Dec. 23, 2016 (antlered); Oct. 15-Dec. 23, 2016 (antlerless). Firearm: Antlered: Oct. 1-Oct. 14; antlerless: Dec. 10-16, 2016 and Jan. 7-13, 2017.

Turkey

Archery: Sept. 3, 2016-Jan. 16, 2017. Crossbow: Oct. 1-Oct. 16, 2016 and Nov. 12Dec. 31, 2016. Shotgun: Oct. 22-28, 2016 and Dec. 3-9, 2016.

Bobcat

Hunting: Nov. 26, 2016-Feb. 28, 2017. Trapping: Nov. 14, 2016-Feb. 28, 2017.

Hunting equipment restrictions Modern Gun Season During modern gun deer season, hunters may hunt with modern firearms, muzzleloaders, and archery and crossbow equipment, and must follow season restrictions, zone guidelines and other hunting requirements. All hunters, including archery and crossbow hunters, and persons accompanying hunters, must wear hunter orange clothing during modern gun season. Persons ages 15 and under hunting deer with a firearm must be accompanied by an adult who shall be in a position to take immediate control of the youth’s firearm at all times. Archery Season Hunters using archery equipment during a deer firearms season must follow all firearm season restrictions, zone guidelines and other hunting requirements, and must wear hunter orange clothing.

Crossbow Season Hunters using crossbows during a deer firearms season must follow all firearm season restrictions, zone guidelines and other hunting requirements, and must wear hunter orange clothing. The only exception is on state owned or managed WMAs where firearms hunting for deer or elk is prohibited. A legal resident hunter age 65 years or older may hunt deer with a crossbow from the first Saturday in September through the third Monday in January. Muzzleloader Season Muzzleloaders, archery and crossbow equipment may be used during this season. Youths ages 15 and under hunting deer with a muzzleloader must be accompanied by an adult who shall remain able and in a position to take immediate control of the youth’s muzzleloader at all times.

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Outdoors | September/October 2016

Illinois Hunting Regulations Hunting opportunities in Illinois

Landscape diversity provides ample opportunities for hunting a variety of species in Illinois. From hunting ducks along a Mississippi River backwater slough to bow hunting deer in the forests of the Shawnee, Illinois has a variety of opportunities and experiences available. For hunters just getting started, finding and taking a hunter safety course is required by law for persons born after Jan. 1, 1980. Hunters will learn about safety, ethics and many of the skills to become a successful hunter. After taking the course, a person should learn how to use their hunting weapon and practice with it often until they are proficient in using it.

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Who can hunt in Illinois? Illinois allows hunting for both residents and non-residents There are also special hunting op-

portunities/privileges for youth, seniors and disabled hunters. Illinois provides an apprentice license for first-time hunters. Residents 18 years old and under may purchase a youth hunting license. Where can I hunt in Illinois? IDNR has Public Hunting Areas designated at many of our sites. Site specific permits are required to hunt in most of these areas. Check out the Hunter Harvest results from the previous hunting season on public land sites. Hunting is also allowed on private land with the permission of the landowner. Land Access Permission Card What permits or licenses do I need to hunt in Illinois? In general, anyone wishing to hunt in Illinois is required to purchase a hunting license. There are some exceptions to this requirement. In most cases, an electronic state habitat stamp is also required (license ID #970). Waterfowl hunters will also need both the electronic state waterfowl stamp (license ID #600) and the federal waterfowl stamp-license ID #900 (federal waterfowl stamps may be purchased at US Post Offices or selected DNR offices). In addition to the license and stamps, species-specific permits are also needed. Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1980, will need to have a copy of the Hunter Safety Education Certificate available while hunting. Hunters wishing to use firearms need to obtain a Firearm Owner Identification Card (FOID) from the Illinois State Police. Lost or damaged permits can be replaced, if you provide required information. What are legal hunting devices, ammunition restrictions and other Laws? It is unlawful to hunt any protected species except with


Tri-State Outdoors | September/October 2016

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a gun or bow and arrow. Various species and seasons have restrictions as to hunting devices and ammunition.

Illinois hunting seasons

What am I required to wear? Firearm Deer Hunting - It is unlawful to hunt deer with any firearm when not wearing a solid blaze orange cap/ hat and an upper outer garment displaying at least 400 square inches of solid blaze orange material. Note: Camouflage blaze orange does not meet the requirements. Archery Deer Hunting during a Firearm Season during the muzzleloader only, the youth, the late winter and the CWD deer season, archery deer hunters must comply with the requirements to wear blaze orange in counties open to those gun deer seasons. Archery Turkey Hunting during a Firearm Season when and where it is legal to archery turkey hunt during any gun deer season, archery turkey hunters must comply with the same blaze orange requirements as gun deer hunters.

Youth firearm deer season: Oct. 8-10

Trapping opportunities in Illinois Trapping plays an important role in the ecology and conservation of Illinois’ furbearers - mammals that are hunted and trapped primarily for fur. If you are starting out in trapping, it is recommended that you take the Illinois Trapper Education Course or complete the online course at United States TrapperEd. com. Successful completion of this course is required for first-time trappers, born on or after Jan. 1, 2015, before purchasing a license. Additionally, any trapper regardless of age, who has not previously held a valid trapping license issued by this state or another, within the three years preceding application, are required to complete a trapper education course before purchasing a license. Where can I trap in Illinois? Some properties owned or managed by IDNR offer trapping opportunities. Trapping can occur on private property if a landowner or tenant grants permission to do so. Permission must also be obtained from anyone living within 100 yards of where traps are set. This requirement often limits opportunities to trap in residential areas. Trapping along roads or other public right-of-ways is prohibited. What can I trap in Illinois? Only certain furbearer species are allowed to be trapped in Illinois. When can I trap in Illinois? Most species have specific trapping seasons throughout the year. The Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations list the different trapping seasons. ----Information taken from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. dnr.illinois.gov.

First firearm deer season: Nov. 18-20 Second firearm deer season: Dec. 1-4 First muzzleloader deer season: Dec. 1-4 Second muzzleloader deer season: Dec. 9-11 First late-winter/CWD deer season: Dec. 29, 2016Jan. 1, 2017



Tri-State Outdoors | September/October 2016

11

Chronic wasting disease Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a neurological disease found in deer, elk, and moose. CWD has been confirmed in 24 states and two Canadian provinces. It is spreading geographically and becoming locally prevalent. It has not been confirmed in Indiana or Kentucky, but has been found in Illinois. The disease is spread environmentally through saliva and feces and recent research shows plants uptake the prions. It is not known if prions are transmissible through ingestion of plant parts. CWD-affected deer experience loss of body condition and changes in behavior. Affected animals may stand with legs wide apart, hold head and ears low, have subtle head tremors, and may be found near water. Excessive drinking is common in terminal stages of the disease. There is currently no evidence that CWD is transmissible to humans. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend consuming meat from a CWD-positive animal. Because CWD has been transmitted in experiments where healthy deer were exposed to skeletons of infected deer, BOAH strictly limits the movement of cervid carcass and body parts into Indiana to the following:

•Commercially processed meat, which may contain bone. •Carcasses or parts of carcasses if no portion of the head, spinal cord or small intestine are attached or otherwise included. •Carcasses or parts of carcasses that include the head, spinal cord or small intestine, if they are delivered within 72 hours after entry to one of the following: a meat processor inspected by BOAH for processing, commercial deer processor registered with the DNR for processing or a taxidermist licensed by the DNR. •Antlers, including antlers attached to skull caps, if the skull cap is cleaned of all brain and muscle tissue. •Hides. •Upper canine teeth, also known as “buglers,” “whistlers,” or “ivories.” •Finished taxidermist mounts A person licensed as a disposal plant or collection service under state law (Indiana Code 15-2.1-16) may move carcasses and parts into the state if the carcasses and parts are moved directly to a licensed disposal plant. For up-to-date information on CWD and the state’s prevention and monitoring program visit wildlife. IN.gov/8367.htm.

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Tri-State Outdoors | September/October 2016

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A

jon boat is great for accessing some of the more remote areas of your hunting grounds but it is also great for accessing stands silently and scent free. Sometimes the deer are actually around easily accessed areas but by using the jon boat you can access the back side of the area and keep from alerting deer of your presence. A jon boat allows you to hunt pressured deer by delivering you and your equipment away from where other hunters access the area. By hunting these areas and accessing them by jon boat, you can take advantage of other hunters pushing the deer to you. By using the jon boat to access the backside of an area, you don’t leave any scent throughout the area and the deer will be unaware of your presence as they retreat to the more remote areas where you are on stand. Using a jon boat to hunt public land is a great way to access areas that get little or no pressure throughout the season and I have actually located areas,

although rare, that seemed to have deer that were not pressured at all. These deer meandered throughout the area throughout the day and just did not act like deer that had been hunted much like you might encounter on private land. These areas are golden to the public land bowhunter and can offer many days of good hunting as long as you practice good scent control and only hunt the stand when the wind direction is right. Using a jon boat can really open up more opportunities for your hunt. Sometimes, especially when the weather is warm and you know that the deer have bedded for the day, you can take a run and rattle approach to your hunt. The run and rattle technique is not only a great way to possibly bag a good buck but it is also a way to locate some other stand sites as you are essentially scouting while you hunt. The run and rattle technique is made possible with the jon boat. You want to search new areas by just beaching


Tri-State Outdoors | September/October 2016

your jon boat in several different areas and quietly enter the woods edge and use either natural cover to conceal your movements or your own quick blind setup. You can use bungee cords and/or rope to hold leafy material stretched between trees or fallen branches. There are times when you might want to use your climbing stand and get up a tree. This will slow down your midday run and rattle plan but if you enter the wood line and see scrapes and rubs all around then you might want to spend a little more time in this location and a treestand is your best bet for harvesting a whitetail with your bow. You could also mark the spot as a place to hang a stand and return for a more traditional stand hunt but that is up to you. Once you are setup just inside the wood line and ready for possible quick action, you can now start your rattle sequence. A good rattle sequence to start with is a very light sparring sequence that might only last 30 seconds or even less. Remember you haven’t scouted this area and probably don’t know what or where anything is in this location and there might be a buck bedded very close. You don’t want to overdo that first sequence. Being too aggressive on the horns initially could send that bedded buck into the next county. Of course, aggressive rattling initially could bring him to you on a run ready to fight but why take a chance when a light sparring sequence could bring him to you, as well, and is less likely to spook a buck. The advantage of the run and rattle technique is covering ground. With the jon boat you can hunt several areas during that midday lull, which will increase your chances of arrowing a buck. With this in mind your rattling sequence should be short so the time between that initial sparring sequence and a more aggressive rattle sequence might only be five minutes or so. If the sparring sequence didn’t produce any action, then get aggressive with your rattling and get ready as an aggressive buck can be on top of you quick and he will be

13

looking for you so you have to be very careful with your movements especially if you are on the ground. You should try to always use a large tree to hide behind if one is available. My rattling session, in any one particular spot, will usually only last 15 to 20 minutes unless the area really looks good with a lot of sign then I might sit a little longer. This type of hunting is to locate those aggressive bucks that might present you with a shot while you wait for prime time to hunt your stand locations. If you spend too much time in one spot you defeat the purpose of hunting several spots so keep moving and just have fun with the run and rattle tactic. This technique is not an easy one but it sure can be exciting as there are often buck sightings but getting a shot


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Tri-State Outdoors | September/October 2016

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Tri-State Outdoors | September/October 2016 is always another story but it can be effective and your chances for arrowing a buck with the run a rattle technique far out weighs your chance napping back at camp. Using a decoy with your run and rattle hunt is an even more aggressive approach, but can really help pull a buck from the thick stuff to investigate. Using a jon boat makes it easy to move around with your decoy and gear, which can be a cumbersome endeavor, but with a jon boat you can easily transport and deliver your decoy close to where you are going to set up. With a jon boat you can be hunting 1,000 yards from other access points where you would have to carry the decoy and all your gear through your hunting area. The jon boat not only saves you the walk but also eliminates your scent that you would have left behind, as mentioned above, and the noise that usually accompanies a decoy hauled through the woods. Using a jon boat for public lands is a great way to hunt less pressured areas but the jon boat can also work great on private land where navigable waterways are available. There are many opportunities out there for the jon boat deer hunter and once you experience the effectiveness of hunting by jon boat you too will seek out areas that allow for its use. Whether setting up stand locations away from the crowds or running and rattling for those hidden whitetail bucks in your area the jon boat is your answer and can add another dimension to your deer hunting strategy this season. Remember to pack a sandwich and good hunting. ----Ken McBroom is a freelance outdoor writer and photographer based in Indiana. For more information, please visit www.ramblingangler.com send comments to ken@ ramblingangler.com.

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Tri-State Outdoors | September/October 2016

Heroes in a

half shell By Julie Lockhart

I

learned very early in life that many people do not share my fondness for reptiles and amphibians; my sweet mother reminded me of this repeatedly. Even if you find these creatures creepy, a lovely little box turtle is easy to appreciate. The top shell, or carapace, of the Eastern Box Turtle is usually a dark brown or black with striking yellow or orange splotchy patterns. The box turtle’s extremities can also have unique and colorful spots. When these tiny prehistoric reptiles crawl around, they decorate the forest floor with beauty. During summer (usually in June), turtles emerge from the surrounding woods, ponds and lakes to small open areas; the majority of the turtles are females looking for

a place to lay their eggs. On one occasion, an Eastern Box Turtle made its way to a garden area near the edge of the woods. When the turtle was discovered, the eggs were already deposited, so I could not get an egg count. Nevertheless, the event was a delightful sight. The small turtle slowly and gently filled the hole where the eggs were deposited. After the eggs were covered to satisfaction, the box turtle quickly moved a few inches from the site. The turtle stretched out its neck and lifted its head turning it from side to side as if sensing a direction. The turtles head held a position to the left, and sure enough that was the direction it went back into the woods. It will take three to four months for the tiny hatchlings to break free from the soft egg shell and dig their way out of the hole, usually in September or October. The Regular Hours: Thur.-Sun. 11am-3pm EDT hatchlings will be about the size of a quarter. Remember all turtles bite, so observe Summer Hours May 5-August 21: and try not to disturb. Open Daily 11am-3pm Though numbers are slightly up, the Admission: 13yr+ $4 • 5 – 12yr $3 So Eastern Box Turtle is still on the Species uvenir of Special Concern List in Indiana and the logoed Senior Citizens (60 yr+) $2 t-shirts, bats, Ornate Box Turtle is on the state’s EndanClosed National Holidays balls, and more! gered Species List. Habitat loss is listed Special Group Rates and Showings Call 812-482-2262 www.indbaseballhalloffame.org • email: rajahoward@psci.net first and foremost as the cause of their decline. Other factors include road mortalOn campus of Vincennes University - Jasper ity and collection by humans. Because Ruxer Student Center, 851 College Ave., Jasper, IN

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Tri-State Outdoors | September/October 2016

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box turtles live on land, they require a forest habitat. Grassland and wetland areas also offer a refuge to the box turtles, but the forests and woodlands are their home. However, these large tracks of land are few and far between making it more important than ever for us to develop land responsibly, to take care of what is left, to restore what we can, and to plant for the future. The Indiana Wildlife Federation helps to make these efforts possible with programs for developers to private land owners. Backyard habitats around the state and across the country help to fill in some of the gaps between these dwindling wild areas. The generations to come deserve to experience the timeless turtles in a natural habitat not in a zoo. Box turtle species are protected in Indiana; please do not collect them from the wild areas. For the most recent regulations concerning box turtles, visit www.in.gov/ dnr. You can also find an interesting life history of the box turtle in the Wildlife Diversity Section of the DNR’s website. Read it and share it with a child. A few years ago for the first time, a common snapping turtle was also observed making its way through. Covered in mud, the snapper’s shell was approximately a foot or so in length. The turtle’s legs were thick with long sharp claws and its tail was long with a row of ridges on top. The snapping turtle crawled across the yard then stopped; the turtle stayed there in one spot, frozen, for awhile. After assessing the newly found terrain, the snapper lifted up its large head and extended its lengthy neck. A neck that seemed completely out of proportion to the rest of its body. Then the turtle crawled over to a steep hill and made an incredible vertical climb to the top disappearing into the woods. When the aquatic snapping turtle is seen venturing on land, it is most likely a female searching for a place to lay eggs. They can be extremely dangerous, so try to keep a safe distance away. Snapping turtles have powerful jaws and their bite is meant to break through flesh, muscle and bone. Respect their space, but admire their uniqueness. Help to fill a child’s day with nature. Provide and protect native habitat; give the IWF your support www. indianawildlife.org. ----Julie Lockhart is a freelance writer and photographer. She can be reached at julielockhart13@wowway.com.


Tri-State Outdoors | September/October 2016

19

West Side

Nut Club

P

ut your leggings on or loosen your belt buckles, stock up on bibs and collect your change from the piggy jar because it’s time for the 95th annual West Side Nut Club Fall Festival. The festival will be from Oct. 3 to Oct. 8 on W. Franklin St. and will be filled with free entertainment, exhilarating carnival rides, amateur talent competition, a huge parade and over 126 booths filled with the most decadent and delicious foods your taste buds could dream of. All food booths are operated by local nonprofits, such as schools, churches, youth groups and local fraternities and sororities raising money for their philanthropies. The fall festival began in 1921 and now attracts over 200,000 people and is one of the largest street festivals in the country. And lucky enough for us, it’s right in our own backyard. Rick Decker, fall festival chairman, said he began working on this year’s fest just two weeks after last year’s ended. “I’m just that type of guy,” Decker said. “I like to get things done ahead of time because if something bad happens, I have time to work on it.” When asked how much money the Nut Club takes in each year from the fall fest, he said they only make their money from the flat fee — usually around $800 — that they charge the booth operators for their space and don’t see any of the money they make from the food. Decker said they donate 80 percent of the money

raised to charity and the other 20 percent returns to them for insurance and upkeep. But he said none of the 300 club members makes a penny from the fest. The Nut Club donated an astounding, $280,000 this year to non-profits in the Tri-State area from the money raised at last year’s fest. Something else people might not know is that the Nut Club also cleans up after the fest is over. Decker, who has been a member for 19 years, said he and other club members spend hours scrubbing the streets and picking up trash. “It’s cleaner after we leave that Sunday then when we started,” he said. Decker said the reason the fall fest continues to be successful is because of the Nut Club members that put their hearts and souls into it. “I think it’s just being a part of the club and seeing the festival and what it does for the community,” he said. “I think we’re all so bullheaded, all of us guys, and we don’t want to see it fail.” From pumpkin cheesecake, elephant ears, Donut Bank burgers and fired cookie doe to bacon brownies, brain sandwiches and gator tail for the more daring of palates, there is something for everyone at the fall fest. So get ready to pig out because more than likely, you’re going to eat some pork anyway. ----Marisa Patwa is a staff writer for Warrick Publishing. She can be reached at mpatwa@warricknews.com.


Parades of the Fall Festival Main Parade

Lighthouse Parade

The Main Parade will have about 100 units participating featuring marching bands, floats, and many exciting entries. The parade runs down West Franklin Street to St. Joe Avenue. •Staging - All parade participants are to be at the staging area on Franklin Street between Fulton and 7th Avenue no later than 4:30 p.m. the day of the parade. Franklin Street will be closed to through traffic at Fulton Avenue around 11 a.m. Only floats and vehicles participating in the parade will be allowed within the staging area. Parents dropping off parade participants should use one of the side streets to access the staging area. •Destaging - After completing the parade route, parents should pick their children up on St. Joe Avenue between Michigan and Columbia.

In 1985, members of the West Side Nut Club renewed an old Evansville custom from the 1920’s Fall Festivals, lighted decorated lighthouses. Children building a colorful, beautiful and inexpensive lighthouse exhibited their creation at the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival on Monday, Oct. 7, 1985 in the first annual lighthouse parade. Last year, approximately 100 lighthouses were exhibited on Franklin Street.

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Pet Parade

The parade route will travel west on West Franklin Street past the Main Stage located at 12th Ave. The Pet Parade sponsored by the Pet Food Center is open to children of all ages, with or without pets. The parade will follow the outline on the map. Line up and judging will be at St. Boniface’s parking lot.

Golden grand marshal

The West Side Nut Club recently announced its grand marshal for the Main Parade, Olympic gold medalist Lilly King. King, a Reitz High School graduate and current Indiana University student, won two gold medals in the 2016 Rio Olympics. She earned her first in the 100 meter breaststroke and her second in the 4x100 meter medley. She currently holds the American, NCAA, NCAA Meet, U.S. Open, Indiana school, Big Ten and Georgia Tech Pool records, all earned during her freshman year at IU. In addition to swimming for Reitz High School and Indiana University, King was also a member of the Newburgh Sea Creatures.


Annual festival events Family Day If you are looking at avoiding the big crowds, the West Side Nut Club offers Family Day. Only the kiddie rides will be opened for several hours. Although none of the non-profit food booths will be open on West Franklin Street, the West Side Nut Club will be serving food and drinks at affordable prices at the intersection of Franklin and 10th Avenue. There will also be a limited number of food booths open in Acorn Plaza.

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Amateur Hour

Amateur Hour is a nightly event which represents a variety of talented young people from the Tri-State area. More than 100 acts are judged several weeks prior to the festival and are narrowed down to top scored acts to compete at the festival. Nightly winners in each division will be posted below and will compete for the title on the Main Stage.

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Special Kids Day

Special Kids Day is a day when around 300-400 Evansville Vanderburgh School students with special needs are able to enjoy the Fall Festival all to themselves. The students are able to have fun playing games, riding rides and enjoying some festival food. All rides, games and food are free for the event. These items are donated by generous sponsors and multiple volunteers from various organizations.

Tug of War The West Side Nut Club’s Tug of War competition is a tradition at the Fall Festival. Each team will be composed of students from the seventh and eighth grades with a balance of boys and girls. Two alternates may be chosen from these grades. Composite weight of the team shall be between 1,280 and not exceed 1,300 pounds. Team members must wear rubber sole shoes without cleats. Gloves will be permitted; however, they must be

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DNR to adjust methods for bovine TB testing among wild deer State biologists with the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife plan to test for the presence of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in deer in southeastern Indiana this hunting season using a redesigned set of sampling protocols. The new protocols are aimed at detecting the disease at lower rates of prevalence by focusing on hunter-harvested bucks that are at least 2 years old. “While any age and sex of white-tailed deer can become infected with bovine tuberculosis, surveillance from other states has demonstrated that sampling bucks older than 2 years of age is more likely to detect the disease,� said Joe Caudell, DNR state deer biologist. Sampling of harvested deer this year will take place in all of Franklin County and in Fayette County south of State Road 44. In April of this year, the Indiana Board of Animal Health (BOAH) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture detected bovine TB on a cattle farm in Franklin County. Previously, bovine tuberculosis was detected in farmed deer and cattle in late 2008 and 2009 in Franklin County and on a Dearborn County cattle farm in 2011. As a result, DNR began a surveillance program in 2009 to determine if the disease had spilled into the wild white-tailed deer population. From 2008-2015, biologists tested more than 1,400 deer. All have tested negative for bovine tuberculosis. The DNR this year will need to collect between 850 and 2,700 samples from wild white-tailed deer depending on the sex and age class of the animal. The objective is to sample as many bucks older than 2 years as possible. The remaining samples will come from does and younger bucks. During the check-in process, hunters will be asked to participate in testing by calling a toll-free number that will be available when they register a deer online. A team based in Franklin County will be on call to meet hunters and sample their deer. Samples must come from the head and neck, so these parts should be preserved if deer are processed in the field. Hunters that wish to have their deer mounted or processed can provide the name of the taxidermist or processor so arrangements can be made to collect the samples from that location.

During the youth weekend, Sept. 24-25, and the firearm season’s opening weekend, Nov. 12-13, DNR staff will be at some historic check stations and other locations in Franklin and Fayette County. A list of these locations will be available when hunters register their deer online. A collectable Deer Cooperator Patch will be issued to all youth and adult hunters who submit deer for bovine tuberculosis surveillance. Hunters who harvest a buck that is 2 years old or older from the TB sampling area and allow a sample to be collected (either by DNR staff, taxidermist, or at a processor) will qualify for an additional free buck tag that can be used to harvest a second buck that is at least 2 years old from the bovine tuberculosis surveillance area. A buck older than 2 years old can typically be estimated in the field by the spread of the antlers and the number of antler points. The age will be confirmed by tooth wear replacement by a biologist. For the latest information about bovine tuberculosis, visit boah.IN.gov or wildlife.IN.gov/5466.htm.


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Tri-State Outdoors | September/October 2016

press The

By Tom Fuller

M

y final installment on marksmanship fundamentals rounds out the six basics of clean, accurate, repeatable shooting. So far we have discussed position, grip, sight and breathing. Sight (specifically, alignment) and trigger press comprise the two most important fundamentals. You can sacrifice position, grip, breathing, sight picture and follow through if necessary, but without a proper alignment of the firearm to the target and a clean trigger press, the shot will be for naught. Trigger press is where the rubber meets the road. All previous preparatory actions lead up to and assist the careful execution of this specific action. The goal of the trigger press is to engage the mechanical actions of the firearm to discharge the bullet from the muzzle without disturbing the firearm’s alignment to the target. Sounds easy, right? The first challenge is simply the physical action of pressing the trigger. The word “press” itself is used in careful consideration such that firearms instructors may convey the correct idea to the student. We want to move

the trigger mechanism rearwards of the firearm in such a way that we do not disturb the careful alignment of the firearm to the target. Am I making this sound way more complex than it is? Possibly. However, in the careful explanation of what trigger press is, I am also explaining what trigger press is not. We do not want to errantly push or pull the trigger when engaging it. Imagine that pushing the trigger to the rear creates a lateral movement to the shooter’s inside line and that pulling the trigger to the rear creates lateral movement to the shooter’s outside line. A press, however, is a direct straight-back action that creates no lateral movement. The ideal contact for the trigger finger on the trigger is the exact center of the last joint of the index finger. The center whorl of your fingerprint should be in the center of the trigger. Of course, ideal does not always happen. If you have a firearm that is too small or has an unwieldy heavy trigger pull, you may have to engage more of your finger and use the crease at the first joint. This will be the case for heavy double action triggers and smaller framed


Tri-State Outdoors | September/October 2016

pocket pistols. If your hands are too small for your firearm, you may find yourself only able to engage the tip of your finger on the trigger. If you use the crease of your finger, expect to see trigger pull and your shots going to your outside line. If you use the tip of your finger, expect to see trigger push and shots going to your inside line. For many, but not all, firearms, there are typically two stages to trigger press. The first is called take-up and many firearms will have a noticeable “pre-travel” in the trigger. This is a looser, lower poundage portion of trigger travel that shooters may use to stage the trigger. We then reach a point where a noticeably greater force is required to “break” the shot. We want to engage the trigger by taking up the slack in the pre-travel and then after a final check on the firearm’s alignment to the target, we break across the final threshold. Trigger press involves the movement of three joints in your index finger. If only one joint is engaged, you have a circular arc-type movement that cannot possibly yield the linear movement required for straight trigger

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Tri-State Outdoors | September/October 2016


Tri-State Outdoors | September/October 2016 press. By engaging all three joints of the finger, you can produce the linear movement as described. Study this action using a click-pen. When done correctly, you will notice the middle joint of your finger moves outboard to make room for the end joint to straighten as the finger pad presses on the end of the pen. The second concern during trigger press is what the rest of the body and mind are doing. This is where the shooter is their own worst enemy. You may flinch, shut your eyes, push the firearm down or all manner of other involuntary actions because you are worried about the bang. To remove this, you must first understand that the bang happens after the trigger press. Therefore, perfect shots are capable if you can prove you have a correct trigger press. Proof of correct trigger press occurs through dry-fire practice (to be covered in another article). If you can perform perfect dry-fire trigger press, you can make perfect shots. So why all the flinching and other manner of spasms on the firing line? Our brains are anticipating the recoil and smoke and noise and flash of the shot. We must ignore all that. Focus on the trigger press and do not concern yourself with the bang. The bang will take care of itself. We’ve set ourselves up in a good position, with a strong grip, smooth easy breathing, great sight alignment and sight focus, and we’ve just performed a perfect trigger press to the rear of the firearm. Bang! The cartridge is fired, the bullet leaves the muzzle and makes a nice hole in our target. Our muzzle has flipped up due to the physics of levers and energy. After the bang, now what? We follow through. Follow through has two major components that occur simultaneously. One is the realignment of the sights. We begin searching for the front sight again and realign it with rear sight and target, just as previously discussed. The other is trigger reset. After we’ve pressed the trigger directly to the rear, we hold it there through the cycling of the firearm and then remove just enough pressure that we

29

feel the first noticeable “click” in the trigger mechanism. This is going back to the “break” portion I mentioned earlier. We do not let the trigger return all the way such that we have to take up the pre-travel again. We only go forward enough to reset the trigger. At this point we are ready to make a follow-up shot or take our finger off the trigger entirely and return to a resting position with our elbows lowered down to our sides and the pistol remaining pointed safely downrange. This concludes my series on marksmanship fundamentals. Even though I have focused primarily on pistols, the fundamentals are applicable with minor variations across all shooting platforms: pistol, rifle, and shotgun. When learning or practicing these fundamentals either at the range or at home, always remember the National Rifle Association’s three rules of gun safety: 1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. 2. Always keep the finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. 3. Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. Safety is your responsibility. ----Tom Fuller is a mechanical designer with PCI Skanska and an NRA certified pistol instructor and range safety officer. He is available for private and class instruction at Uncle Rudy’s Indoor Firing Range.

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Tri-State Outdoors | September/October 2016

call nature

The

of

By Ken McBroom

L

Learning the Hard Way

earning to call deer, especially mature bucks, is definitely a slow and steady process that can take many seasons to master. It took me several seasons before I would even try calling deer and slowly gain enough confidence to add it to my hunting arsenal. I actually heard deer vocalizations many seasons before I even knew there was a manufactured deer call. The deer call revolution began in the ‘80s and since then, calls of many types have evolved as hunters and researchers learn new whitetail vocalizations by time spent afield. A couple of the latest whitetail vocals is the snort wheeze and the roar. I have been fortunate enough to hear both a few times in the wild. The roar is unmistakably a deer, but the snort wheeze is one I had heard a few times and wasn’t sure what it was. I remember hunting over a decoy with a friend. He was calling and videoing for me and we thought we heard a deer walk in but couldn’t see it, then we heard something strange, and I remember looking up at him with a “what was that?” look on my face and we both started laughing. We finally made out a buck ghosting through the timber but never got a shot. Years later we were both watching a hunting video and it showed a buck snort wheezing and we both realized what we had heard that day. It was a strange feeling but it was all the confidence I

needed to use the snort wheeze when needed. Learning the hard way for me was a blessing and looking back on the journey I wouldn’t change a thing. However, there is no reason for you to learn the hard way thanks to the vast amounts of information available to you, like this article, to get you started. While the information obtained in reading and watching videos is invaluable nothing compares to time in the woods and making mistakes and learning from those mistakes. I hope this information will not only help with your grunt calling but also help you recognize when you make a mistake so it’s easier to correct it.

Types of Grunts

There are several grunts that deer use to communicate but for the hunter trying to call in a buck during November there are three types of grunts that get their attention. Remember November is prime time for rutting activity and as a hunter knowing what part of the rut the deer are in is crucial to successful grunt calling. Listed below are the three grunts most useful to the hunter and how to achieve the sound. Contact Grunt — This grunt can be used all season long to call in bucks and does but during the pre-rut bucks are anxious and will investigate when they here a contact


Tri-State Outdoors | Septemer/October 2016 31 grunt to see if another buck has entered his domain or just to keep tabs on his does. This grunt is a couple quick soft grunts and says to a buck “here I am.” This grunt is great for blind calling or to figure out the mood of a buck you see before doing one of the other couple grunts listed here. Trailing Grunt — The trailing grunt imitates a buck attempting to pick up the trail of a doe in estrus. This grunt is great when bucks are in the searching phase of the rut. Once again it is vital to know what is going on in the woods you are hunting. Knowing what stage of the rut the deer in your area are in will increase your success when calling. This grunt is made by blowing your grunt call two to three times in quick succession then pause 10 seconds and grunt again. This simulates a buck that has got the scent of a hot doe, but is looking for her trail and is zigzagging through the woods excitedly searching for the doe’s trail. Tending Grunt — The tending grunt is heard by bucks that have located a doe that is close to estrus and he wants to let all the other bucks know this is his doe and to back off. This can be an advantage to the hunter because when this grunt is used and there is a mature buck in the area he wants to know what buck has moved into his area and will sometimes charge into range when he hears it. The tending grunt is a series of three soft grunts with a pause before the next sequence of 10 or so seconds. These series of grunts are repeated at least three times and keep an eye out for approaching bucks you don’t want to call when a buck is moving in or he will bust you. A good way to throw the sound of your call is to start your sequence aiming the call to the left or right then middle for the second series and the left to finish up. This will sound more realistic like a buck trailing a doe instead of the call sounding identical each series. Believe me when I say a mature buck is in tune with his surroundings and anything


32

Tri-State Outdoors | September/October 2016


Tri-State Outdoors | September/October 2016 33 you can do to make your call more realistic will help you get a response and not a bad one.

Rules of Calling

Calling deer, especially mature bucks, is a tactic learned over many seasons and you will continue to learn your whole life. It is hard to call in a good area where you are seeing good bucks because you are afraid of spooking the buck out of the area. You might until you learn the intricacies of calling, but once you do you will see more deer and will have the confidence to make the right call and get a buck into range. Here are a few rules of calling that might help get you started. Not Too Aggressive — Keep your grunts soft. There are times when loud, obnoxious calling will work, like when a buck is moving quickly through dry leaves and the grunt has to be loud so the buck can hear it over the crunching leaves. Once you have his attention, go back to soft and subtle. Don’t Overdue It — The old saying “less is more” holds true for calling bucks. Calling too often or using calls that just don’t match the mood of the season will not only keep deer from your stand, but could cause them to avoid it all season. Another consequence to over calling is teaching a buck not to respond to calling at all or at least be super cautious when approaching and this can lead to you being busted without even knowing it as the buck searches from afar for the deer that is making the grunts and he will see you before you see him. Know Your Grunts — Knowing what you are trying to say to the deer with your call is crucial. If it’s several weeks before peak rut and you try to do a tending grunt to a buck eating acorns on a ridge above you with three other bucks you will probably won’t get a response except maybe the wrong one. Know your grunts and use them accordingly. Know When To Quit — Never overdue it. Once you have the bucks attention, be patient. Oftentimes, they will slowly circle and try to get downwind. There is no need to call to a deer that is moving towards you, just let it happen. It is amazing how deer can pinpoint exactly where the grunt came from and will eventually make it below your tree, searching for the deer that made it. Call too much and the buck will get nervous and decide something is wrong and move away. I never enter the deer woods without a grunt call. There is so much to learn when it comes to hunting whitetail deer and the grunt call will only add to those lessons. Learning to use a grunt call effectively will increase your deer encounters and possibly help you bag a buck of a lifetime. ----Ken McBroom is a freelance writer/photographer in Indiana. For more information please visit www.ramblingangler.com. Questions/comments to kenmcbroom@ sbcglobal.net.

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Tri-State Outdoors | September/October 2016

Native habitat By Julie Lockhart

I

f you are planting a tree this fall, consider choosing a native tree to add to the landscape. There are numerous native trees that thrive in our local soils. With a wide range of shapes and sizes, native trees are suitable for a variety of landscapes and the trees usually require less maintenance. Native trees offer us spring flowers, summer shade and fall color. Their beauty alone is a great natural resource. Pawpaws, redbuds, and dogwoods are small deciduous trees that work well for smaller landscapes. For large areas there are many medium to large deciduous trees to choose from including the persimmon, the white oak, the red oak or the shagbark hickory. Red Pines, white pines and eastern red cedars are all good choices for medium-to-large evergreens. Countless wildlife species depend on native trees for food, shelter and places to raise young. Trees collect water in a hollow between divided branches supplying a natural water source for wildlife. Native trees provide butterflies with nectar, sap and places to roost. Many butterflies rely on specific host trees for depositing eggs and for feeding newly-emerged caterpillars. The hackberry tree is host for the Hackberry Emperor and the American Snout. The beautiful Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly seeks the Tulip tree (Yellow-poplar Liriodendron tulipifera) for a host and the Spicebush Swallowtail prefers the sassafras tree for a host. Native trees are vital to these and other beneficial insects. Many insects support the food chain as sustenance for other wildlife. Trees harbor insects that are the main food source for some reptiles and


Tri-State Outdoors | September/October 2016 35

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amphibians. Tree frogs are superb vertical climbers perfectly adapted for dwelling in a tree. Ground skinks often climb on trees in search of prey. They also hunt on the ground in the debris that has fallen from the trees. The skinks find shelter under the leaf litter. Seeds and nuts from native trees provide birds with a natural and preferred food source. Birds use leaves, twigs and bark from trees as nesting material. Trees provide much needed cover for birds in every season. Woodpeckers need the trees for nesting cavities and for finding insects. Birds IN of 47601 prey utilize trees 4144 Hwy 61 N •␣Boonville, not only for nests but for vital hunting grounds. 812-897-3643 •␣Fax 812-897-4543 Hours: Open Tuesday - Saturday Trees are important to our extremely beneficial bat population. Several species of bats rely heavily on trees. Some HUNTING FOR Abats roost among the limbs and leaves or raise young under the tree bark. GREAT DEAL? Native trees supply other mammalsStop withby a steady R & J’s food source of buds, foliage, berries, fruit and nutsShooting throughout the year. SquirSupply rels, as with many of the woodland creatures, depend on these native trees for food, shelter, a place to raise young and a place

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to escape from predators. Foxes have a varied diet, and they eat the fruits from native trees. The gray fox is even capable of climbing a tree to reach a meal. Our deer population also depends on the diversity of native trees to sustain them through winter. Habitat loss, pollution and invasive species threaten our native wildlife. Planting native trees helps to create habitat that supports native wildlife. If you want to plant or purchase native trees, the Indiana Wildlife Federation is a fantastic resource. The IWF’s website has purchasing information for native trees. The site provides a list of native trees along with other shrubs and plants suitable for the area. Whether you are planting a tree to enhance a landscape or specifically to benefit wildlife, native trees are a great choice. For more information on native trees and how they benefit wildlife visit www.indianawildlife.org. ----Julie Lockhart is a freelance writer and photographer. She can be reached at julielockhart13@wowway.com.

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OUTDOORS A I Magazine

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Agee Auto Repair........................36 American Taxidermy....................10 American Whitetail..........................20 Antique Steam & Gas Show...........37 Baseball Hall of Fame....................16 Boonville Federal Savings Bank....20 Brewer Farms..............................31 Bucks & Jakes....................10 & 21 Cron’s Body Shop........................21 Dave’s Gun Shop........................23 Great Outdoors............................35 Hillside Gardens..........................15 Horton Team.........................2 & 38 Johny Ray Auction & Realty........18 Kiesel Enterprises........................11 Kurt Seib - Expressway Auto......38 LIP Motorsports..................36 & 37 Little Italy’s Pizza.........................36

Meeks Guns................................29 Midwest Equipment............24 & 25 Miller’s Garage............................17 Misty Morn Safe Co.....................40 Newburgh Powersports.................9 Obermeyer..................................14 Palestine Chamber........................8 PinUp Baggers............................20 R & J Shooting Supply................37 SteelBilt.......................................12 Town Square Furniture..................7 Tri-State Outdoors.......................38 Tyler Boats, Inc...........................21 Standard......................................38 Uebelhor & Sons.........................33 Uncle Rudy’s...............................27 United Fidelity Bank....................22 Wirthwein Guns...........................13


Gun Safes • Deposit Safes • Data Safes • Wall & Floor Safes Home Safes • Fire Resistant Safes • Vault Doors

NEVER OPEN ON SUNDAYS 6029 N SR 161 Richland, IN

812-359-5290 w w w . m i s t y m o r n . c o m 800-838-0808


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