I did have a conversation with Glen Lange . Chief of Wildlife for the State of Indiana on the closing of state grounds in the spring for running/
training. I pointed out the need we had to train at the proper times and the fact that everyone does not have private land to work on. Glen did
concede that there isnt any research on the impact of dog running during the off season or during breeding season. I also pointed out that there
isnt any Alliance members that are against sound game management and that sound game management also MUST be tempered by the needs
and desires of those paying for and using the properties. I explained that if solid scientific evidence pointed to the need for quiet time during the
breeding season our alliance members would honor that need as long there were sufficient areas left available to run/train our dogs during that
period. Ten percent of each property was one figure talked about and definitely only during April, May and June. I also told him that in the absence of
solid data the land should be left open for us to use. I have not yet mentioned the idea of extending the rabbit season to Feb. 28 because we are
still doing research of our own on the topic.
Indiana Beagler's Alliance    
Legislation
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee
Saturday Febuary 1, 2003
reported by Jack Hyden
License Fees and Structure
Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources is looking into implementing a senior citizen hunting/fishing license and the suggested cost is $2.75 per year.
It was explained that monies that come into the state from federal revenue (pittman-robersts) is done so on a per license sold basis for each state.
The more licenses Indiana sells, the more federal dollars the state gets. Along with the $2.75 senior license cost the state would realize twice that
in federal funding. The idea is that this would be a small cost to the individual, but a large revenue builder for DNR.
Farm Bill ( reserve programs)
There is an agency program that promotes the creating and building of wildlife habitat. and the beautiful thing about this program is that you do not
have to be a farmer to receive money to build habitat. fact is the program just received a boost in the amount of money one landowner can receive
up to $25,000.00. Notice that i said land owner, not farmer. The number of acres required to qualify is very small as is the dollars the landowner is
required to invest. You can contact the local NRCS or any Indiana district biologist for full details. Glen Salmon, Fish and Wildlife Director said that
they are having trouble finding enough interested landowners to spend all the money. And that the reason is primarily not enough landowners are
aware of the program. I'm sure that information on this program could be gotten from Glen Lange, Chief of Wildlife. Glen's phone number is
(317)232-4080 and his E-MAIL address is glange@dnr.state.in.us . if you have an area of any size that you are interested in turning into prime
wildlife habitat you are encouraged to contact someone at Fish and wildlife.
Fish and Wildlife targets for 2003-2005
1) Protect aquatic and terrestrial habitats for all wildlife species through initiative sa land acquisition, conservation easements, reserve programs,
partnerships, improved land use and educational strategies
2) Establish a computerized sport licensing sales system (pos)
3) Utilize proactive marketing strategies to increase the sale of hunting, fishing and trapping licenses, and to communicate and educate the public
on the importance of fish and wildlife management programs.
4) Increase the capabilities of the nongame and endangered wildlife program to commensurate with new federal funding opportunities
5) Develop solid , landscape-level biological information and utilize that information to communicate the importance of active management for all
wildlife species.
6) Improve opportunities for the hunting, fishing and trapping public to enjoy their traditional pursuits.
7) Establish protocols to address invasive species and wildlife disease issues.
Field Trials
This is one area that i was sorely disappointed in. the whole field trial arena basically speaks to bird doggers only. Even then Indiana seems to be
taking a stance that is very dog unfriendly. Indiana DNR continues to blame pittman-roberts for taking away field trialing opportunities on state
ground. I'll give you the criteria to qualify to have a field trial on the few state lands that will be open to field trials and you can make up your own
mind as to what is going on.
1) The time frame open for field trials will be March 1 to April 15
2) No horses allowed.
3) Limited to 100 acres
Most field trialers will tell you that this is an attempt to offer field trials in a format that no field trial organization can work with.
Another confusing area is the fact that Fish and Wildlife wants to ban 100% of dog running/training during the months of April, May, and June, and
maybe March and April. So with constraints of both to many restriction and an a total ban on dogs on state ground during the field trialing period
there doesn't seem to be much left.
Legislative Issues
There are several bills pending now that are in committee. some of which are.
112 which is the bill that would make it illegal to discharge a projectile within two hundred yards of a dwelling.
1118 places a bounty on coyotes of $5.00
491 re-defines wetlands and what size they need to be in order for DNR to control.
1921 and 361 are bills attempting to put high fence deer preserves out of business.
1978 is a bill that was introduced by the deer breeders to try to head off the effects of 1921 and 361
I will be glad to talk more in-depth about any of these bills. Just mail me at j2hyden@earthlink.net and let me know what you think or what additional
information you need.
Chronic Wasting Disease ( CWF)
GOOD NEWS...... at this time there have been no cases of CWD found in any deer in Indiana. several hundred deer heads have been tested and
they have all come back negative.
FWCC direction and participation.
We did a brain storm session with ideas coming from the committee on ways to increase the license
sales and how DNR could better serve the residents of Indiana, and talking abut ways that the
committee itself can become more effective. it was generally conveyed by the group to DNR that they
need to become more responsive to the needs of the hunter , fisherman, and trapper.
Member Update.
The INDIANA BEAGLER'S ALLIANCE was accepted into the FWCC as the spokes group for the beagler and rabbit hunter. this is truely a good day
for the alliance and for all rabbit hunter/beaglers in Indiana. Hopefully this is just the beginning of many positive things to come for both the State
and National Beagler's Alliance.
On a personal note...
It is very obvious that we as beaglers and rabbit hunters have much to do to restore the respect and understanding of both the hunting and
non-hunting public, If I went by what I heard in the FWCC meeting you would think that deer hunting was the only game in town. They bring in big
bucks to DNR and seem to dominate the conversation. It doesn't help that the deer hunters spokes person is a salesman, and is very loud to
boot....lol. they seem to think the point of entry for youth today is deer hunting instead of rabbit hunting, and if that's the case perhaps that's why
there are fewer young people hunting. Rabbit hunting offers immediate excitement and action, while a young deer hunter may have to wait several
seasons to get his/her first deer. i took four groups of teens on youth hunts this season and I know several of the other guys did also. we plan on
continuing this trend and hope to enlist some of you to do the same.
ANY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS CAN BE SENT TO ME AT j2hyden@earthlink.net ALL EMAILS WILL BE ANSWERED PROMPTLY....THE
NEXT FWCC MEETING IS IN MID APRIL. PLEASE CONVEY YOUR IDEAS IN TIME FOR US TO DISCUSS THEM PRIOR TO THE MEETING.
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