Post by fullrut on Dec 22, 2011 13:30:27 GMT -5
Guys, Now is the time to comment on the new rules proposals for Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge. The office is taking comments and would greatly appreciate your input. The new rule proposal that has me worried is the rule proposal allowing only non-toxic shot for spring turkey. If this gets passed where will it stop? Will we have to use non-toxic bullets to deer hunt? Please pick up the phone and let Big Oaks know your opinions. THANKS
BIG OAKS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PLAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Joe Robb (812-273-0783)
December 1, 2011 Email: joe_robb@fws.gov
Big Oaks NWR
Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is seeking public comments on the proposed changes to their
Hunting and Fishing plan and a Draft Environmental Assessment of these changes. These proposed
changes would authorize activities on the refuge that are not allowed under existing regulations. Under
the new management plan the refuge would allow fall turkey hunting in designated areas and increase the
boat limits for Old Timbers Lake from 25 boats per day to 30 on public use days. We also are proposing
to only allow non-toxic shot for spring turkey hunting. Fall turkey hunting would be allowed in the
hunting areas on the property during the deer archery hunt. Hunters drawn during the deer archery hunt
would be required to have a hunting partner which follows existing refuge hunting regulations. Up to 500
deer/turkey archery hunters would be allowed on the refuge at any one time during the fall hunt days on
hunting areas on the refuge. In addition, a $20 hunt permit is proposed to cover all hunting activities on
the refuge, including deer, turkey, and squirrel; this is an increase from the existing $10 fee. The annual
entrance fee for fishing and other public uses is also proposed to increase to $20 from the existing $15
permit fee, and the daily fee is proposed to increase to $5 from the existing $3 daily fee. Holders of
Senior Passes and youth who are 15 or under are exempt from the annual entrance fee. Holders of Senior
Passes would pay $10 for the hunt permit fee, but youth who are 15 or under are exempt from the hunt
permit fee. Hunters and anglers must abide by all state and refuge regulations.
The refuge would appreciate your comments regarding these proposed changes. We are especially
interested in information you have or studies you are aware of regarding the effects of such uses. The
hunting and fishing plan has been drafted and is available for public review and comment. All comments
received within 30 days following the date of this notice will be considered in the review process. A copy
of the Draft Environmental Assessment and Hunting and Fishing Plan can be found on the Big Oaks
NWR web page (http://www.fws.gov/midwest/bigoaks/) and at the refuge office.
Big Oaks NWR consists of 50,000 acres on the former Jefferson Proving Ground (JPG) located in
Jennings, Ripley, and Jefferson Counties in southeastern Indiana. The local refuge is managed by the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service and provides excellent public use opportunities, such as hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation and photography, interpretation and environmental education. The refuge has one of
the largest contiguous forest blocks in the southeastern part of the state as well as one of the largest
grassland complexes in the state, both of which provide wonderful wildlife viewing opportunities to
refuge visitors. Public use is allowed in the Refuge’s Day-Use Area from April thru November on
Mondays, Fridays, and the 2nd and 4th Saturdays.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting
and enhancing fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American
people. The Service manages the 150-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses
nearly 550 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas.
The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory
bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as
wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts.
To review a copy and make comments on the Big Oaks NWR Hunting and Fishing Plan, to learn the final
decision regarding these proposed changes, or for more information, contact Refuge Manager Dr. Joe
Robb, Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge by mail at 1661 W. JPG Niblo Road, Madison, IN 47250, by
telephone at 812-273-0783, or by email at Joe_Robb@fws.gov.
BIG OAKS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PLAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Joe Robb (812-273-0783)
December 1, 2011 Email: joe_robb@fws.gov
Big Oaks NWR
Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is seeking public comments on the proposed changes to their
Hunting and Fishing plan and a Draft Environmental Assessment of these changes. These proposed
changes would authorize activities on the refuge that are not allowed under existing regulations. Under
the new management plan the refuge would allow fall turkey hunting in designated areas and increase the
boat limits for Old Timbers Lake from 25 boats per day to 30 on public use days. We also are proposing
to only allow non-toxic shot for spring turkey hunting. Fall turkey hunting would be allowed in the
hunting areas on the property during the deer archery hunt. Hunters drawn during the deer archery hunt
would be required to have a hunting partner which follows existing refuge hunting regulations. Up to 500
deer/turkey archery hunters would be allowed on the refuge at any one time during the fall hunt days on
hunting areas on the refuge. In addition, a $20 hunt permit is proposed to cover all hunting activities on
the refuge, including deer, turkey, and squirrel; this is an increase from the existing $10 fee. The annual
entrance fee for fishing and other public uses is also proposed to increase to $20 from the existing $15
permit fee, and the daily fee is proposed to increase to $5 from the existing $3 daily fee. Holders of
Senior Passes and youth who are 15 or under are exempt from the annual entrance fee. Holders of Senior
Passes would pay $10 for the hunt permit fee, but youth who are 15 or under are exempt from the hunt
permit fee. Hunters and anglers must abide by all state and refuge regulations.
The refuge would appreciate your comments regarding these proposed changes. We are especially
interested in information you have or studies you are aware of regarding the effects of such uses. The
hunting and fishing plan has been drafted and is available for public review and comment. All comments
received within 30 days following the date of this notice will be considered in the review process. A copy
of the Draft Environmental Assessment and Hunting and Fishing Plan can be found on the Big Oaks
NWR web page (http://www.fws.gov/midwest/bigoaks/) and at the refuge office.
Big Oaks NWR consists of 50,000 acres on the former Jefferson Proving Ground (JPG) located in
Jennings, Ripley, and Jefferson Counties in southeastern Indiana. The local refuge is managed by the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service and provides excellent public use opportunities, such as hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation and photography, interpretation and environmental education. The refuge has one of
the largest contiguous forest blocks in the southeastern part of the state as well as one of the largest
grassland complexes in the state, both of which provide wonderful wildlife viewing opportunities to
refuge visitors. Public use is allowed in the Refuge’s Day-Use Area from April thru November on
Mondays, Fridays, and the 2nd and 4th Saturdays.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting
and enhancing fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American
people. The Service manages the 150-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses
nearly 550 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas.
The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory
bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as
wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts.
To review a copy and make comments on the Big Oaks NWR Hunting and Fishing Plan, to learn the final
decision regarding these proposed changes, or for more information, contact Refuge Manager Dr. Joe
Robb, Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge by mail at 1661 W. JPG Niblo Road, Madison, IN 47250, by
telephone at 812-273-0783, or by email at Joe_Robb@fws.gov.
.....NO ASBESTOS was dumped in "BIG OAKS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE"
