10-Star All-Star Basketball Camp

Applications are now being evaluated for the Ten Star All Star Summer Basketball Camp.
Boys and girls ages 10-19 are eligible to apply but the camp is by invitation only.
Players from 50 states and 11 countries attended the 2008 camp. Past players include Michael jordan, Tim Duncan, Vince Carter, Jerry Stackhouse and Grant Hill.
College basketball scholarships are possible for players selected to the All-American Team. Camp locations include Champaign, Il, Phoenix, Ariz., Babson Park, Fl., Gainesville, Ga. and Glassboro, N.J.
There is also a summer camp available for boys and girls ages 9 to 18 of all skill levels.
For a free brochure call 704-373-0873 or visit www.tenstarcamp.com.

Hunter Education Course April 13-15

The dates for the Hunter Education Course are April 13, 14 and 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Wells Community 4-H Building.
The course is offered at no charge. Instructors will be ICO Kenny Wireman, Darrell Reynolds, Mike and Jodi Pinkerton, Rich Falk, Rick Bergman and Tracy Myers.
For pre-registration and more information call 260-824-0692. Those under age 16 must be accompanied by a guardian. Attendance at all classes is required for certification.

Don't Miss These Archery Events!!

Here is a list of events for the archery group that meets at the Ossian Conservation Club. These are 3-D style targets and they are open to the public. There are stakes set for youth and children as well as hunter stakes and pro stakes for all traditional and compound archery equipment. There is no provision for crossbows at these events.


Schedule of events for the 2009 Ouabache Archers 3-D shoots:

March 29th

April 26th

May 30th & 31st - Hunt of a Lifetime Archery Shoot. Be sure to come out and support this event. This event raises money for youth who have terminal illnesses to go on hunting and fishing trips with their families. For more information please visit www.huntofalifetime.org

June 28th

July 26th

August 23rd

September 12th & 13th - Jamboree Shoot

Shooting times are 8:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. Scorecards need to be turned in by 2:30 P.M.

Where to Hunt web site

DNR Release:

The DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife's "Where to Hunt" interactive Web site has bagged a state award for the department. Staff members Kevin Hoffman (Division of Fish and Wildlife) and Mike Martin (Division of Management Information Systems) developed the tool to help Hoosiers find a great place to hunt.

Yesterday, the Indiana Geographic Information Council (IGIC) http://www.in.gov/igic/, which annually recognizes creative and practical applications of GIS in Indiana, presented the Department with its Excellence in GIS Award, State or Federal Agency category.
IGIC presents up to six "Excellence in GIS" awards in the following categories: Small Community (population less than 50,000), Large Community (population more than 50,000), County, Educational, State or Federal Agency, Business or Commercial.

To view the Where to Hunt Web site, see dnrmaps.IN.gov/apps/indianahuntingareas/.

"Bike" says Brown County SP trails among best on continent

DNR Press Release:


Brown County State Park's mountain bike trails have been crowned as "among the best in North America" in Bike Magazine's March issue.
In its article "33 Best Rides in North America" the international magazine says the following about the trails, which are located on the outskirts of Nashville, Ind.

"This expanding trail system is quickly becoming a favorite destination for Midwest riders … its 19 miles of singletrack is among the most varied terrain east of the Mississippi. From berms to steep switchbacks to tight trees to rock gardens, these trails have it all. And even more are on the way, with an ambitious expansion plan already in the works."

The trails also were honored as runner-up in the Best Trail Network category by the magazine. Kingdom Trails in East Burke, Vt., won the category, and Park City, Utah, joined Brown County State Park in receiving a runner-up award.
According to the article, "Nominations came in from the four corners of the continent, and the 11 trails we selected—along with two runners-up per category—offer some of the best mountain biking on the planet."

DNR director Robert E. Carter Jr. said that the recognition confirms that now mountain bikers can find what they want right at home.
"The park staff has told me how impressed mountain bikers are with these new trails and how popular they are," Carter said. "This ranking validates that in a big way.
"For many years, mountain bikers traveled to find the best of their sport. This shows that we have the best right here in Indiana, so why spend money and time traveling when you could be on your bike?"
The recognition came six years after the International Mountain Biking Association gave the state the lowest of its grades for mountain biking, basing its mark on trails access, quantity and quality.
"Credit needs to go to Governor Daniels for his vision of expanding the statewide trail system with the goal of having a recreational trail opportunity within 15 minutes of every Hoosier by the year 2016," Carter said. "Mountain bike trails are a big part of that plan."

Dan Bortner, director of the DNR Division of State Parks and Reservoirs, said that a lot of credit goes to the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association, which saw the potential of the area, worked cooperatively with the DNR to build the trails, and still maintains them.
"They convinced us that this could be a great thing for the park, worked cooperatively with us throughout and continue to do so," Bortner said. "They said they had the expertise and the ability to do it. It didn't take us long to see that they did.
"It's great to have mountain bikers pouring through the park gates and there are enough trails for everybody."
There is a trail for riders of all skill levels. The multi-use trails are also open to hikers.
"If you want to go and have the best hiking experience in Indiana right now, I'd say go and walk the mountain bike trails at Brown County State Park," said John Bergman, assistant director of State Parks and Reservoirs, who worked closely with HMBA on the project.
To learn more about Brown County State Park, see dnr.IN.gov and click on "State Park and Reservoirs." The trails were featured in the July/August issue of Outdoor Indiana magazine, which can be purchased by calling (317) 233-3046. To learn more about HMBA, see hmba.org.

New DNR fishing and recreation guides available

DNR Release:

The 2009 DNR Fishing Guide is now available, free of charge, at most DNR properties, various sporting goods stores, fishing license vendors and other locations around the state. The 2009 Recreation Guide is at many of the same places or will be shortly.
Longtime fans of the DNR Fishing and Recreation Guide will notice a change this year. For the past few years, this was one publication. This year, to better serve each interest group, they are separate publications. Those who are interested in both topics should be sure to get both publications. Both are available, free of charge, at most of the same locations around the state.
The 40-page Fishing Guide's cover shows a pair of anglers enjoying success on Steuben County's Clear Lake. In addition to providing fishing rules and regulations, the new Fishing Guide includes articles on Indiana's fisheries program, fishing for walleye, and research on catfish done on the Wabash River.
The 50-page Recreation Guide cover features a scenic stream at Turkey Run State Park. The guide includes everything you want to know about DNR properties, including state parks, lakes, state forests, state park inns, fish and wildlife areas, state museum and historic sites and nature preserves, plus articles on mountain biking, exploring the outdoors with kids, camping for beginners, and more.
Lovers of the outdoor activities who can't find one, the other or either guide, can obtain a copy by e-mailing DNRGuideRequests@dnr.IN.gov. Both guides also can be viewed in their entirety at dnr.IN.gov by clicking on the appropriate link. Both are musts for those new to the state and fitting additions to any neighborhood welcome package.

Deer hunters set state record in ’08 season

DNR News Release:

Indiana deer hunters registered a state record by bagging more than 129,000 deer during the 2008 hunting season.
The 129,748 total surpassed the previous high mark of 125,526 set in 2005 and represented a 4 percent increase over the 2007 season.
“That’s a remarkable increase that reflects the skills possessed by Hoosier hunters,” DNR director Robert E. Carter Jr. said. “It’s good to see them continue to help manage deer populations while putting food on the table.”
The taking of antlerless deer—does and fawns of either sex—played a key role in the sharp increase. The 78,903 antlerless deer that were reported were a single-season record and 5 percent higher than 2007. Antlerless totals exceeded 1,000 deer in 29 counties compared to 25 counties in 2007, and antlerless deer constituted half the total harvest in 88 of 92 counties.
The 2008 antlered total of 50,845 was a 3 percent increase over 2007 and was the third highest on record.
Despite bad weather on opening day of the firearm season (Nov. 15-30), that segment still accounted for 67 percent, or 86,454 deer, of the total harvest. That was a 7 percent increase over 2007.
Early archery season (Oct. 1 to Nov. 30) accounted for 20 percent of the total, with 12 percent coming in the muzzleloader season (Dec. 6-21). The youth (Sept. 27-28) and late archery (Dec. 6 to Jan. 4) seasons each accounted for 1 percent of the total.
For the fourth straight year, Steuben County, in the state’s northeast corner, was the top county for deer hunting success with 3,672 deer reported, a slight decrease from 2007. Steuben also ranked first in antlered harvest with 1,214 deer. Kosciusko, Noble and Marshall counties ranked 2-3-4, all with record totals above 3,000. Record harvests were established in 33 more counties and tied in one.
It was the fifth straight season in which the total harvest topped 120,000 deer. Approximately 2.59 million deer have been legally taken during the past 57 deer hunting seasons in Indiana.

A complete report of the 2008 season is at www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-2008deerseasonsummary.pdf

Preschooler program at Salamonie Feb. 18, 19

Enjoy learning about nature in an active way with your child or grandchild. Register them for the Otter program designed for youth ages two through five on Wednesday, Feb. 18 or Thursday, Feb. 19 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Salamonie Interpretive Center.
During the one and a half hour program, children and their parent or caregiver will enjoy activities and crafts focused around otters. No matter the weather the program is planned for both indoors and out beginning at the Salamonie Interpretive Center.
There is a $2 fee per child for the program. Property entrance fee is waived for program attendees. Participants can choose to bring their lunch to eat together after the event. For more information call 260-468-2127 or log onto: www.dnr.IN.gov/uwis.

No CWD detected in Indiana deer herd sampling

From Indiana Department of Natural Resources:


Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was not detected in the 862 deer collected during the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife’s 2008 CWD sampling.
In every year since 2002, DFW employees have been collecting CWD samples from hunter-harvested deer during the opening weekend of firearm season. Since 2007, these efforts have been supplemented with collecting road-killed samples throughout the year. CWD has not been detected in the more than 10,000 deer collected during the entire monitoring period.
CWD is one of a group of diseases called Transmissible Spongiform Encepalopathies (TSEs). Other examples of TSEs include scrapie in sheep and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. The agents of CWD are called prions, which are abnormal, protease-resistant forms of cellular proteins normally synthesized in the central nervous system and lymphoid tissues. Prions that cause CWD are highly resistant to heat or disinfectant, and can be transferred to other deer through direct or indirect contact. No study has ever proven that CWD is transmissible to humans.
CWD has been reported in free-ranging deer herds in Wisconsin, Illinois and West Virginia, among other states. Indiana has never detected CWD within its free-ranging or captive deer herds. For more information on deer health, visit dnr.IN.gov/fishwild.

Hunter Education Class Changes

Sorry about this but we had a scheduling conflict with the state for the Free Hunter Education courses and had to change the dates for the class. It will be held at the same location but on different nights.
The new dates are: April 13th, 14th, & 15th from 5:30 to 9:00 pm all three nights at the 4-H Community Center in Bluffton.
Instructors:
ICO Kenny Wireman, Darrell Reynolds, Mike and Jodi Pinkerton, Rich Falk, Rick Bergman and Tracy Myers.
The event is sponsored by Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
To register or for more information call 260-824-0692.
Under 16 must be accompanied by a guardian. Attendance at all classes is required for certification.

Fifth annual historic preservation photo contest starts

Indiana Department of Natural Resources Release:

Photographers with an eye for the many historic preservation highlights of Indiana have until April 15 to submit entries for the 5th annual Historic Preservation Month photo contest.
The contest is an annual highlight of Historic Preservation Month, which is held every May.
Each photographer can submit up to three photos. Each image should be identified with the name, location and description of the subject. Entries also must include the photographer’s name and contact information. For contest requirements and entry form, see dnr.IN.gov/historic.
Students have an added incentive to enter. The school class with the most participants will get a free tour of the Indiana Statehouse and Monument Circle in Indianapolis.
Winning images will be printed in Preserving Indiana (the Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology's newsletter) and placed on the division’s Web site. Photos will be displayed in the Indiana Statehouse, the Indianapolis Artsgarden, and the Indiana University-Southeast Library in New Albany in May 2009.
For more information, call Amy Walker (317) 232-1647 or awalker@dnr.IN.gov

Salamonie otter program for preschoolers

According to a DNR press release:

Otters will be the center of attention during a program designed for preschoolers at Salamonie Reservoir, Feb. 18–19, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The same program is being offered twice to accommodate more children.
Ages 2 to 5 are invited participate with their parent or caregiver. Activities and crafts focusing on otters will highlight the event.
There is a $2 fee per child for the program. The property entrance fee is waived for program attendees. Participants may bring a lunch to eat together after the event.

DNR Grant to protect Indiana Pre-History

From a Department of Natural Resources press release:

A federal grant of $180,454 from the Preserve America program will help fund the “Inventory and Promotion of Indiana’s Prehistoric Mounds and Earthworks.”
The DNR Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology (DHPA), which serves as the State Historic Preservation Office, will run the project. Archaeologists at several universities in the state will assist.
The project will produce a comprehensive inventory of Indiana’s prehistoric mounds and earthworks, a narrative report of findings, and an educational public Web page about these fragile cultural resources.
Prehistoric mounds and other types of earthworks were constructed in Indiana between approximately 1500 B.C. and 1500 A.D. DHPA estimates that about 1,000 such resources exist statewide. During the last two centuries many have been damaged or destroyed by erosion, agricultural practices, development and looting.
“This project will guide planning and resource management efforts, identify sites that may be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, and help educate Hoosiers about early peoples of Indiana," said the DHPA's Steve Kennedy. "The Web page will promote heritage tourism by directing people to publicly accessible locations where they can see and learn about mounds first-hand.”
Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our nation’s heritage. Former First Lady Laura Bush has served as Honorary Chair of Preserve America since its inception in March 2003. The Preserve America Initiative was launched by then-President Bush to promote cultural and natural preservation and to encourage greater appreciation of our national heritage.
The Preserve America Grant program is administered by the Department of the Interior’s National Park Service in partnership with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The competitive matching grants can be awarded to designated Preserve America communities, state historic preservation offices, and tribal historic preservation offices to support their preservation efforts through heritage tourism, public education, and planning.
Mrs. Bush, former Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett and Advisory Council on Historic Preservation chairman John L. Nau III announced the first round of Preserve America Grants for FY 2009 on Jan. 17. The list includes 31 projects in 17 states and one tribe totaling nearly $3 million.

For more information on Preserve America, including a complete list of grant recipients, criteria and application forms, see PreserveAmerica.gov.

Hunter Education

Free Hunter Education courses are available February 23, 25 and 26, 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the 4-H Community Center in Bluffton.
Instructors:
ICO Kenny Wireman, Darrell Reynolds, Mike and Jodi Pinkerton, Rich Falk, Rick Bergman and Tracy Myers.
The event is sponsored by Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
To register or for more information call 260-824-0692.
Under 16 must be accompanied by a guardian. Attendance at all classes is required for certification.