Visit DNR at the Indiana State Fair
The DNR’s Natural Resources Building is the place to be during the Indiana State Fair. The fair runs through Aug. 22, excluding Mondays and Tuesdays).
Located in the northwest area of the fairgrounds, DNR’s building is not only one of the few with air conditioning, but also houses the best information, wild animals, and fun. Stop by the Fishin' Pond, where children ages 5-17 can fish for free.
Check out live raptors daily at 10 a.m. at the amphitheater. While you are cooling off inside the DNR building, pick up the latest Recreation Guide, Fishing Guide, and Hunting & Trapping Guide, along with the guides for boating, off-road vehicles and much more.
Summer Fun at Indiana State Park Inns
Stay two nights and the second night is half off. This special is for stays Sunday through Thursday and ends Sept. 2. Visit Indianainns.com or call 1-877-Lodges1 to make your reservations.
50th Anniversary of the Grissom Memorial
Lowell Grissom, Gus Grissom's brother, delivers remarks at the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Virgil "Gus" Grissom Memorial at Spring Mill State Park on July 21.
Prepare to hunt this fall
DNR’s Learn to Hunt, Trap, & Shoot program offers a variety of classes year-round to prepare outdoor recreationists with the skills they need to aim, key in on animal signs, and enjoy their hunting experience.
Upcoming opportunities are available on the DNR Calendar.
1850 Hay Press at O'Bannon Woods State Park
The restored haypress at O’Bannon Woods State Park provides a look back in time at a unique technology designed to create bales of hay for shipment down the Blue River for sale. Above is a quick video on its operation.
The hay press barn is open when the nature center is open, and it is operated on special weekends throughout the year. The next time for live operation is Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 4-5.
GoBikeIN offers free beginner mountain bike instruction at Brown County State Park
It only takes one adventure in the outdoors to inspire a future conservationist. Thanks to the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation’s Give Adventure grant, exciting recreational opportunities are providing Hoosiers access to new adventures, like the GoBikeIN program at Brown County State Park.
The cost of a mountain bike, safety gear, and the fear of getting hurt can hold people back from trying mountain biking. GoBikeIN removes those barriers. The program provides beginners with professional instruction and all the equipment needed to try the sport—for free.
This program will resume once the State Fair is over. If you are interested in taking part, visit the Brown County State Park events page. Upcoming dates will be added soon.
NRC approves new nature preserve
The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) approved the designation of Grand Prairie Nature Preserve in Lake County at its July meeting.
This nature preserve protects 11.86 acres of wet prairie of the Chicago Lake Plain. Flora of interest include the State-Threatened earleaf foxglove and Leiberg’s witchgrass, along with a variety of mesic and wet prairie plant species.
Mid- to-late summer is the best time to see the prairie in bloom. Fauna of interest include the State Special Concern plains garter snake and the common nighthawk, as well as the State Endangered smooth green snake. Grand Prairie Nature Preserve is owned by the DNR and is under the administration of its Division of Nature Preserves.
Observations of hens without poults are important to report.
Share your sightings of wild turkeys and their young
DNR still needs your help to collect observations of turkey broods (hens and young) to calculate the annual wild turkey Production Index (number of young per adult hens).
DNR’s goal is to collect 3,000 observations, with at least 25 per county. Right now, biologists have received more than 2,000 observations. If you’ve seen a turkey brood or a hen alone since July 1, report your sighting online. All observations between July 1 – Aug. 31 are welcome.
Secure your trash to protect Indiana’s roaming black bear
The black bear seen in Vanderburgh, Daviess, and Pike counties has been getting into garbage. If trash or recycling containers are accessible, the bear could start to associate people’s homes with a place to find food. To protect the bear and your personal property, DNR encourages residents in southwest Indiana to secure trash, recycling, and other possible food sources.
- Store garbage cans and recycling containers inside a garage or shed.
- Put garbage cans and recycling containers on the curb the morning of pick-up rather than the previous night.
- Avoid putting meats, sweets, bones, or grease in compost piles.
- Remove or secure other potential food sources for bears, such as livestock feed or pet food.
Bears can become sick and even die from eating garbage. If the bear begins to actively seek food near people’s homes, DNR may need to use deterrents (airhorns, spotlights, etc.) to protect both the bear and people. These practices are stressful for the bear. Residents can help DNR avoid needing to use these tactics by removing potential food sources.
Register for Next Level Trails Applicant Workshop Webinar
The DNR will host a Next Level Trails Applicant Workshop Webinar on Thursday, Aug. 5 at 2 p.m. ET. The free webinar will take place on Zoom and is open to both new and returning applicants.
It will cover topics such as: program guidelines, Round 2 recap, Round 3 details, information on how to apply or re-apply, and insight on making your application more competitive.
Round 3 of the Next Level Trails program will award up to $25 million for regional projects and up to $10 million for local projects. The application period for Round 3 begins Nov. 1 and ends Dec. 1.
The webinar is expected to last about an hour, plus an additional 30 minutes for participant questions. Registration is required to get an email with the Zoom link for the webinar. Potential applicants can register here.
State park deer management application period is open
Online applications to be drawn for the 2021 state park deer hunts are now being accepted.
This year's dates are Nov. 15-16 and 29-30. These hunts are held to manage the impact white-tailed deer have on natural ecosystems. Applications must be submitted by Aug. 9.
Applicants must possess a hunting license that is valid for the hunt for which they are applying. For more details about the application process, visit on.IN.gov/reservedhunt.
Get your copy of Outdoor Indiana magazine
State Fair attendees can get a special deal on Outdoor Indiana subscriptions for themselves, friends, and family. Simply buy a subscription at Mother Nature’s Mercantile at the Natural Resources Building and you will be handed the current July/August issue. Your one-or two-year subscription will start with the September/October issue, so you will be getting one issue free.
The Foundation celebrates and preserves Indiana’s natural legacy by raising funds to support the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and its programs.
