Possession of Wild Animal Parts

From the Indiana DNR Law Enforcement Facebook page:  

It's that time of year... Most hunting seasons are out, but you still want to get in the woods. 

Time for antler shed hunting! This is one type of hunting you don't need a license for, just permission from the landowner. If you happen to find a shed like the one in the picture, still attached to a deer skull, you can collect those as well.

Indiana Conservation Officers are providing this information so that all citizens may clearly understand the rule that governs antlers that are found with the skull attached, a permit IS REQUIRED to possess animal parts as described below. There is no possibility for our agency to mandate a specific response to the many different situations that occur regarding the possession of wild animal parts. It is always the best practice for citizens to involve their local Indiana Conservation Officer when an animal, or part thereof, is desired to be possessed and was not taken with a license and by lawful means. All of our officers may be reached through our Central Dispatch by calling 812-837-9536.

Additional information:     One more point of clarification on the deer antler collection discussion. A shed antler has specific characteristics that is present and identifies it as an antler that has naturally fallen from a live deer. With this said, the Department of Natural Resources has no interest in regulating “shed antlers”. However, the presence of a skull with the antlers identifies that a deer has died. Our interest is in what has caused the mortality of the deer and the circumstances surrounding it, therefore a permit is required to allow for investigation, if needed. It is the policy of the DNR Law Enforcement Executive staff that citizens may collect shed antlers that have been naturally discarded without the need for a permit.

312 IAC 9-2-3 Application of this article to wild animal parts
Authority: IC 14-22-2-6
Affected: IC 14-22
Sec. 3. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a prohibition against the:

(1) possession;
(2) sale;
(3) offer for sale;
(4) purchase;
(5) offer for purchase;
(6) shipment;
(7) transportation;
(8) delivery; or
(9) receipt;
of a wild animal also applies to any part or portion of that wild animal.

(b) The prohibition established under subsection (a) does not apply to the following parts of wild animals taken lawfully:

(1) Tanned hides.
(2) Any portion of a furbearing mammal.
(3) Cured feathers.
(4) Squirrel tails.
(5) Untanned deer hides.
(6) Antlers.
(7) Hooves.
(8) Any portion of a river otter.
(9) Untanned squirrel hides.

312 IAC 9-3-9 Wild animals killed by other means; disposition
Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-22-2-6
Affected: IC 14-22
Sec. 9. (a) This section governs the following species of wild animals that die following a collision with a motor vehicle or are found dead:

(1) White-tailed deer.
(2) Fox or gray squirrel.
(3) Eastern cottontail rabbit.
(4) Furbearing mammal.
(5) River otter.
(6) Wild turkey.
(7) Bobwhite quail.
(8) Ring-necked pheasant.

(b) An individual may possess a species of wild animal listed in subsection (a) with a special purpose salvage permit issued in accordance with 312 IAC 9-10-13.5 or a permit issued by:

(1) a conservation officer;
(2) a district wildlife biologist for the department;
(3) a property manager or assistant property manager for the department; or

Starke County Park Board Updated on Five-Year Plan

Posted on January 11, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

The Starke County Park Board is ready to submit a draft of its five-year plan, but what effect it will have on the Bass Lake Beach and Campground remains to be seen. The Troyer Group has been gathering input about the county’s park facilities and is now putting the finishing touches on a 34-page draft.

Troyer Group representative Mike Reese told board members Tuesday that in spite of a tight schedule, public participation has been amazing. “I thought we had a good turnout for the public meeting, about 20 people,” he said. “I think South Bend had less than that show up for their five-year park master plan meetings. And 364 surveys were turned in in that 10-day window, which I think is very impressive and shows the support that’s out there.”

Now that input has been gathered, Reese says planners are now turning their attention to creating an implementation plan for the suggested improvements. “For each of the facilities, we will have kind of a list of goals and some strategies to accomplish those goals,” he explained. “That will kind of be summarized into a matrix that will say each of the tasks, the people or parties responsible, the time line for completing that, and for the applicable line items, a construction cost or cost to achieve that line item.”

For now, though, the main goal is to submit the draft to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources by this Sunday. That would allow Starke County to possibly be eligible for DNR grant funding this year.

Reese pointed out that Starke County does face a few challenges. “Starke County is a little bit different than some of the ones they see, just because there’s not a parks department established,” he said. “You don’t have an annual budget. You’re kind of starting things.”

While those in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting applauded the planning effort, some questioned whether the changes recommended for the Bass Lake Beach and Campground will be implemented. It was pointed out that the facility’s operator can’t be forced to make improvements that aren’t specified in its existing lease with the county.

However, Park Board President Debbie Mix says she’s optimistic. “The five-year plan addresses other areas that we actually can very fairly quickly get accomplished but wouldn’t be able to get accomplished without it,” she said. “So there’s several reasons for the five-year plan. We may be kicked back in time, waiting for the lease, but I’m hoping that won’t happen.”

The plan is expected to be presented to the public later this month or early next month. The park board will then decide whether to officially adopt the plan in March, before a final version is sent to the DNR.

State Officials Urge Testing for Potentially Deadly Gas

Posted on January 11, 2017
Author Mary Perren, WKVI

Hoosiers are urged to test their homes for a cancer-causing, radioactive gas during the month of January. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

It’s responsible for an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually. Smokers who are exposed to especially high radon levels are at an especially high risk for lung cancer.

Radon is a tasteless, colorless and odorless radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. It seeps through cracks and gaps in floors, walls and construction joints and around service pipes. It accumulates in the air within homes and in drinking water. Radon can be found throughout the United States and can get into any type of building. The greatest exposure risk is at home, where people spend the majority of their time.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Jerome Adams says testing for radon helps to determine how high levels are so immediate action can be taken if necessary to reduce them. He adds it makes sense to test homes that are winterized since gases are sealed in.

The EPA estimates nearly one of every 15 homes in the United States has an elevated radon level. If a high level is detected, licensed contractors can install mitigation systems to eliminate the problem and protect residents.

Testing is the only way to determine your home’s radon level. Test kits are available at local hardware and home stores and can be done within a few minutes. Adams says Hoosiers should retest their homes every two years.

Find more information on the Indiana State Department of Health’s radon page.

State Lawmakers Looking to Bring Back Small School Grant

Posted on January 10, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

Several local school corporations would stand to benefit from a bill introduced last week in the Indiana House of Representatives. Francesville Republican Doug Gutwein has co-authored a bill that would reestablish a small school grant for 2017 through 2019.

Under the proposed legislation, school corporations with 1,000 students or fewer would be eligible for a grant of $200 per student. Corporations with between 1,001 and 2,400 students would get $100 per student. That would cost the state an estimated $27.3 million in fiscal year 2018, going up to $27.5 million in 2019. The bill, authored by Representative Bill Friend, now goes to the House Ways and Means Committee for further consideration.

Several rural school corporations throughout the local area, including Culver and West Central, have been joining together to ask lawmakers to increase funding for small and rural schools.

North Judson May Pursue Trash Can Ordinance

Posted on January 7, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

The North Judson Town Council may consider an ordinance requiring garbage totes to be moved away from the street after trash collection.

In the past few months, trash collection has been moved to the streets from the alleys, and Republic Services has supplied residents with the garbage totes. But Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins says some residents have been leaving them along the streets, long after trash has been collected.

She says no formal policy is currently in place, but an ordinance may be enacted if the problem persists. The town encourages residents to remove garbage totes from the street within 24 hours after trash pickup.

North Judson Fire Department to Buy Brush Truck

Posted on January 6, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

The North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department is getting a new vehicle. A Ford F-350 is being purchased, to serve as the department’s new brush truck.

North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins says the fire department will continue to use its old truck for incidents in wooded areas. Oliver Ford in Plymouth submitted the low bid, for just under $29,000.

Collins notes that the purchase had been planned for this year, as part of the department’s vehicle replacement schedule. She adds that funding is coming from both the town and the township, with some of that money being encumbered from last year’s budget.

North Judson Council Reorganizes, Selects Town Attorney

Posted on January 5, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

North Judson has a new town attorney. The town council approved a contract with attorney Justin Schramm.

Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins notes that Schramm already has some municipal experience. He currently serves as the town attorney for Winamac, Monterey, and Francesville.

Schramm will have some work ahead of him, as he takes over in North Judson. The town faces a lawsuit from the operator of its short line railroad. North Judson has also been taking legal action against various property owners, in an effort to crack down on unsafe building violations.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the North Judson Town Council also made several yearly appointments. Wendy Hoppe has once again been selected to serve as council president. She will also remain the council’s representative on the Starke County Economic Development Foundation Board of Directors, while Jane Ellen Felchuk will continue to serve on the Starke County Environmental Management Commission.

Alicia Collins takes over as the town’s representative on the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission, and council members were appointed as liaisons with each of the town’s departments.

County Officials Shopping for Building Inspector Truck

Posted on January 5, 2017
Author Mary Perren, WKVI

Starke County Building Inspector Terry Stephenson could soon have a new-to-him, county-issued vehicle. County Council President Freddie Baker says the one he’s currently driving is “junk.” He says Stephenson recently could not get it to go over 30 miles per hour and nearly got stranded recently. Baker says Stephenson also has to use his wife’s car because his county vehicle was not running.

Baker has spoken to Auditor Kay Chaffins, who offered $19,000 from her budget to purchase a vehicle for the building inspector. Baker says it doesn’t have to be new, just decent looking and functional.

Councilman Dave Pearman noted such requests typically start with the commissioners, who then make a recommendation to the council as to whether or not funds should be appropriated. Baker said he spoke with Commissioner Kathy Norem about it. Cambe Chevrolet has been contacted and might be able to provide an acceptable used vehicle within that price range.

Norem suggested Councilman Bryan Cavender and Commissioner Don Binkley, who represent their respective bodies on the plan commission, see what kind of vehicle they can find to meet the building inspector’s needs.

Pearman’s motion to appropriate the money from the auditor’s budget with the caveat that it be approved by the commissioners and committee formed to find a vehicle or two, if possible, and be purchased locally.

The issue came up at the last regular council meeting of 2016 and was fast-tracked due to the end of the county’s fiscal year.

Railroad Township Trustee to Continue Fire Protection Negotiations, Following Court Hearing

Posted on January 4, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

The Railroad Township Trustee says she’s willing to make another attempt at negotiating a 2017 contract with the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department. In a press release, Trustee Mandy Thomason called Friday’s court hearing a “positive step forward.”

It ended with both parties agreeing to continue fire protection under the terms of the current contract until January 30. However, Fire Chief Joe Kryzyzanowski will temporarily step down during that time, with Assistant Chief Mike Korous taking over in an interim capacity.

The press release emphasizes that Thomason takes her duty as township executive seriously. Thomason also assures residents that she will take all the actions in her power to make sure they always get the fire protection and emergency services they deserve.

During Friday’s hearing, Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall encouraged the parties involved to work out their own solution, noting that court should be the absolute last resort for resolving disagreements. Thomason says she’s willing to negotiate in good faith with the fire department on a contract that ensures that Railroad Township gets fire protection and emergency services that comply with state law.

Starke County Officials to Renegotiate Economic Development Contract

Posted on January 3, 2017
Author Mary Perren, WKVI

A group of county officials plans to sit down next week to discuss a new contract with the  Starke County Economic Development Foundation. Executive Director Charlie Weaver has worked under the same agreement for 16 years. He agrees it’s time revisit the agreement and exactly what kind of work it entails on behalf of the county.

Commissioner Kathy Norem and Council members Nancy Dembowski, Dave Pearman and Brad Haselton  plan to meet initially before sitting down with Weaver to talk about a proposed agreement.

The Starke County Economic Development Foundation is responsible for marketing the county to new and existing businesses in order to create and retain jobs and resources locally.

Any new contract will require approval during a public meeting before the terms become official.