Indiana youth turkey season, April 17 & 18

Indiana's 2010 youth turkey season takes place April 17 and 18. The special season is open to hunters age 17 or younger. Youth hunters are limited to one bearded or male wild turkey.

To participate, a youth hunter must be accompanied in the field at all times by an adult who is at least 18 years old and is not in possession of a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow. The adult does not need a hunting license, unless the youth is using an apprentice license. The youth must be properly licensed to take a wild turkey and comply with all tagging and check-in requirements. A list of check stations is available in the 2008-2009 Hunting and Trapping Guide or at www.wildlife.IN.gov. Legal equipment includes 10-, 12-, 16-, or 20-gauge shotguns, bow and arrow, or crossbow.

An apprentice license is available to youths who have yet to complete the requirement of hunter education. All persons, regardless of age, are limited to three apprentice licenses in their lifetime.

Youth turkey hunters killed 978 turkeys statewide during the 2009 youth season and 956 turkeys statewide during the 2008 youth season.
The DNR is offering reserved youth turkey hunts at 21 DNR properties during the youth turkey season—Atterbury, Crosley, Glendale, Goose Pond, Hovey Lake, Jasper-Pulaski, Sugar Ridge, Kankakee, Kingsbury, LaSalle, Pigeon River, Tri-County, Minnehaha, Fairbanks Landing, Hillenbrand, Chinook, Winamac and Willow Slough fish and wildlife areas, as well as at Salamonie, Roush and Mississinewa lakes.

The hunts are limited. Youth hunters may be drawn for either or both hunt days, or not at all, depending on the number of applicants. Youth hunters, or an adult representing them, must register in person at the property of choice, March 15–26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Drawings will be held March 29. All applicants will be notified of drawing results by mail. Applicants may sign up for only one property. Those wanting to sign up for Fairbanks Landing, Chinook or Hillenbrand hunts may do so at Minnehaha FWA. Find DNR property contact information at http://www.in.gov/dnr/3233.htm.

Hunts run one-half hour before sunrise until noon at properties in the Central Time Zone, and one-half hour before sunrise until 1 p.m. on properties in the Eastern Time Zone.

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For more information: Kevin Hoffman, Division of Fish and Wildlife, (317) 234-5904, khoffman@dnr.in.gov.
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New Outdoor Indiana magazine hits bookstands

Remember the massive fish kill in the White River? In this, the 10th anniversary year of that event, the March-April issue of Outdoor Indiana magazine, which will be on newsstands this week, shows how the recovery has made the river a fishing destination again.

It's just one of many articles you'll find nowhere else but in the latest issue of the DNR's 48-page full-color magazine, now in its 76th year. The issue also includes part I of a two-part series on the history of Fort Harrison State Park, from farm land to park land. Look for the picture of the river otters on the cover.

Subscriptions are $12 for a year (six issues) or $20 for two years. You also can ask for Outdoor Indiana at most Borders and Barnes and Noble stores in the state, and at DNR properties. Single copies sell for $3. To subscribe, or for more information, call (317) 233-3046 or go to OutdoorIndiana.org.  

To become a fan of Outdoor Indiana magazine on Facebook see http://www.facebook.com/OutdoorIndiana. If you love the outdoors, you'll love Outdoor Indiana magazine.

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For more information: Marty Benson, DNR assistant director of communications/senior editor of Outdoor Indiana magazine, (317) 233-3853, mbenson@dnr.in.gov.
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About Fish and Wildlife Management in Indiana
Fish and wildlife management and public access are funded by fishing and hunting license revenue and also through the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Programs administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These programs collect excise taxes on sporting arms and ammunition, archery equipment, fishing equipment, and motor boat fuels. The money is distributed among state fish and wildlife agencies based on land size and the number of licensed anglers and hunters in each state. Find out more information about fish and wildlife management in Indiana at www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/.