Indiana’s Deer Biologist....

.Indiana Sportsmen’s Roundtable Conference Call with DNR

Minutes

June 30, 2020 5pm Conference Call


New Director
No news other than interviews are in process
Cam’s last day as current Director will be July 10

Fish & Wildlife Update
New License Sales Software
Will be joining into a Single Sign-On software called Access Indiana
This is the same sign-on process that you currently use for accessing other agencies such as BMV to purchase your license plates
Will not start until after the reserved hunt applications are finished signing up

Governor’s Executive Order allowing Hunting / Fishing Licensing Extensions due to Covid-19
This allows sportsmen to use last years licenses until June 30. Executive Order will expire today so new 2021 licenses are needed starting July 1, 2021
Even with this the license sales year-to-date are up 14%

Hiring Freeze due to Covid-19 budget pressures 38 vacancies currently
Including Deer Biologist since Joe Caudell’s promotion
Hoping some key positions are allowed to open soon

Key Point of Interest – New Methane Gas well permits in Green-Sullivan State Forest (Dugger / Bass Lake area)
This is Public Land owned by DNR Division of Forestry (Greene-Sullivan State Forest) but rights to methane mining are owned by a private firm
This was a legacy agreement when DRN bought the property that the methane mining rights were retained by this private firm
Bass Lake has been stocked by F&W and is one of the best Muskie fishing lakes in Indiana
Discussion between Division of Oil and Gas vs. Divisions of Fish & Wildlife / Forestry over issuing of licensing for drilling that methane
ISR concern is that all constituents (hunters & fishermen) are not aware and been not been involved in the Public Input process
Meeting notices were published but probably not seen by many people who hunt / fish this area
This is a very high usage area for hunters and fishermen – one of the highest in the state
Short-term there will be construction required to put in the well sites and access roads
Long-term concerns as well –
will there be a problem with using firearms near these wells?
Will access roads cause a significant loss of land area which can be hunted?
Is there an issue of compatibility between discharge of firearms and the wells (safety but also damage to well heads)?
Is there an issue with the access required to access the wells (which will be fenced reducing the amount of available property)
Is there any risk to water quality for fishermen?
Will the odors from the wells be a problem?
We need to follow up to see if constituents have concerns over this

New Administrative Rule Changes Review Meetings are underway
Have you and your organizations made your comments via either attending the Hearings or via Internet?
Some significant changes were proposed
There are a couple of onsite public meetings still scheduled

Bonus Antlerless Quotas for 2020-2021
Effects of EHD last year were considered in preparing the 2020-2021 Bonus County quotas
Quotas were kept low in southern part of Indiana which were most impacted by EHD last year
Quotas north of the EHD impacted area were raised by 1 in general (these were brought up to a CBAQ of 3. In 2019 most of these counties would have been a 4 before EHD occurred).
Last year adjustments were made due to EHD which resulted in no counties at 4 or above
This effectively eliminated the late Antlerless season last year - however, DNR allowed the Late Antlerless Season to occur in those counties that had a CBAQ of 4 or 8 prior to the EHD change.
This was reviewed again after the 2020-2021 seasons are completed
Again this year there will be no counties with a 4 or higher quota
However DNR believes that the late Special Antlerless Season had little impact on populations based upon past results
Data from past years shows that not many more deer overall are taken as a result of this
Based upon the results of past survery between 50-60% of hunters favored this season while 25-35% did not favor this season
Doug ALLMAN initiated a discussion about other hunters (small game and racoon hunters for example) are sometimes negatively impacted by these longer deer seasons – he recommended that this should be a consideration as well

Therefore Indiana will have a late Special Antlerless Firearms season to be proposed for all counties except “A” counties
The quotas will still drive how many deer are taken overall
This will be reviewed again after the season for both hunter opinion and biological impact - and can be changed if needed
This generated a considerable discussion
DNR will post information about this change for 2020-2021 on a webpage including the results of the analysis used to arrive at this decision.

Asian Carp Update
A dedicate position for Asian Carp Specialist position was created last Oct.
Is working on finding funding for research into the Asian Carp problem in Indiana
Also to find ways to remove Asian Carp from Indiana waterways
Governor’s office is involved and interested
Reductions in Asian Carp populations will benefit boater safety as well as overall fishing quality

Law Enforcement Update
Very high level of usage of properties during the Covid-19 crisis
Even leadership levels are out in the field during this high levels of usage
Hunter Ed classes are now being scheduled again
Were temporarily halted during Covid-19 shutdowns
Check DNR website for class information

Next Roundtable meeting will be scheduled as Face-to-Face meeting during July – Date TBD

That's what I thought???

I am inquiring who is handling the role for the deer Joe was tasked with. I would not be shocked if Joe is still very much involved until a full time biologist can be brought on. Or perhaps the state will not have a single designated deer biologist for a time, will update if I learn anything.

I think they are talking about Bass lake - in Sullivan county?

Joe says - "I am still handling some of the deer work and coordinating the rest of it with other staff. Hopefully we can get a Deer Biologist on board soon, although I will miss that work."

Me too... but whoever the new guy will be will have a ready resource and mentor (Joe) at hand.

I agree, while I think with the freezing of new hiring and budget cuts hitting the DFW...I honestly would be shocked if they can get approval to hire someone....MAYBE promote from within and spread their old role to others, but a fresh face I sadly don't see happening. Joe will be involved, whether formally or informally I have no doubt. That is a good thing.

Now compare that Bass Lake info to the info from Webster:

www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjc99m6x77qAhVEaM0KHRaPCY8QFjAAegQIBBAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.state.in.us%2Fdnr%2Ffishwild%2Ffiles%2Ffw-MUE_Muskie_Webster.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3jbrIXQLnMUQUk18EX1bOR

Ask how many deer do we have and how many deer hunters ... I know he can only estimate but I like to know his opinion!