As another year comes to a close, it is time to look back and ruminate on the big events in the outdoor world in 2005: More land was acquired by the state Department of Natural Resources; the state of Indiana initiated a fall turkey season; Gander Mountain sporting goods opened in Terre Haute; and a potential state record buck was harvested in Morgan County.
-- Goose Pond — The IDNR purchased Goose Pond for $8 million last spring. It is one of the newest and largest state recreation areas in the Midwest, and it’s well within driving distance of Terre Haute.
Located 2 miles south of Linton on State Road 59, Goose Pond is an 8,000-acre ecosystem that adds to the already outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities found in Greene and Sullivan Counties. The new fish and wildlife area is now open to the public.
It is composed mostly of marsh and swamp ground, but there are also open fields, woods, and open water. The hunting on this property is outstanding for waterfowl, deer, and upland game.
For more information on the property, go to the Indiana DNR Web site.
-- Fall turkey hunting — This year marked the first fall turkey-hunting season in the state of Indiana.
Although a majority of counties in the Wabash Valley were restricted to bow (Owen and Greene Counties allowed shotgun) and I didn’t hear of any hunters harvesting toms, there is significance in the designation of this season. It shows that the turkey population across the state is thriving.
I am reminded of this success nearly every day on my drive to and from work as I see birds in the fields, particularly on those rainy days. I can’t wait until spring.
-- New outfitter opens — Terre Haute has always had several excellent sporting goods stores and still does. There was McMillans as well as The Wilderness Shop and Poff’s still remains a local institution.
For hunters and fishermen though, Gander Mountain is like heaven. Its Terre Haute store opened this year and is like an outdoorsman’s candy store.
The new store houses a bow shop, gun shop, ATV center, and fishing center. There is an enormous variety of guns, bows, fishing equipment, and hunting accessories for the outdoorsman. The store also includes areas for camping, ATVs, and household items.
Now when my wife goes to the mall, I can hit Gander Mountain.
-- Record buck — One of the top stories, that isn’t really a story yet, is the enormous buck that was harvested by shotgun in Morgan County this year.
It is now posted on the Boone and Crockett Web site as a potential state record. The buck has not been officially scored yet because there a drying period before the rack can be scored.
Not much is known about the hunter or the details of the hunt. The rumor mill is churning because of this, but it sounds like the hunter is just being careful. There is a lot of money at stake when any kind of record buck is taken, so we will not hear the story of this buck until the spring.
For those of you who would like to see the buck, it can be found at the following web address: www.boone-crockett.org/news/trophyWatch_detail.asp?area=news&ID;=04DCBC41-2A3A-4487-A227-2A68E6DE5BE1
Good luck typing all those letters and numbers, but nothing comes easy.
As for me, 2005 was uneventful on the outdoors front, but was very eventful for my family. My wife and I had our third baby, a little girl, so it was a great year for me.
Well, here’s to 2005. I hope 2006 brings you a full stringer, a gobbler up close, and venison in the freezer.
Whitetails Unlimited is hosting its annual banquet Jan. 14 at the Zorah Shrine Temple in Terre Haute. For more information on tickets and times contact Rick Lasure at (812) 533-9494.
Also, don’t forget about the free turkey hunting clinic being given by Chris Parrish of the Knight and Hale pro team at the Clay County Fairgrounds on Jan. 7. The event begins at 9 a.m. and will go until 11 a.m.
There will be a free breakfast at 7:30 a.m. First Christian Church of Brazil and Union Christian Church are sponsoring the seminar. There will be door prizes as well. Admission is free; however, donations will be accepted.
Valley Hunter
Valley Outdoors: Looking back on outdoor events in the Wabash Valley
- Valley Hunter
-
-
REDNECK QUAKER: Moose hunt in Quebec is sucessful
Bob Lynch was looking for a reason to spend more time with his dad. So after convincing his wife it was a bonding thing, the hunt was on.
-
REDNECK QUAKER: Bobcats prowling woods of Parke County
If you find a big spotted cat with a short tail and pointy ears eating out of the dog food bowl on the back porch — leave it alone and don’t try to pet it! Yes, it could be a bobcat!
-
REDNECK QUAKER: Young hunters experience thrill of their first deer
Get this picture in your mind: A beautiful young lady, sitting at the dining room table overlooking the meadow below her home, and a large buck steps into the glen.
-
REDNECK QUAKER: Valley hunter recounts tale of a special turkey season
Joe is at the top of my list for he is outstanding in all ways of life. A devoted sportsman true to his word. I hope my son grows up with his qualities!
-
REDNECK QUAKER: Stacy Kueber travels the country to bag a turkey grand slam in one year
Guys, if you like to turkey hunt listen up, for I am going to tell you about a man that accomplished the grand slam in one year.
-
Waterfowl hunting season opens across Indiana
Dust off the calls and decoys, Indiana’s waterfowl hunting season began Oct. 15 in the North Zone; Oct. 22 in the South Zone; and will begin Saturday in the Ohio River Zone.
Waterfowl hunting season in Indiana is divided into three zones: North, South and Ohio River. Each zone has different a season for ducks and Canada geese. Light (snow/Ross) geese, brant and white-fronted geese are regulated statewide. -
REDNECK QUAKER: Young lady has enthusiasm for the outdoors
I don’t know who is glowing with the most pride, Lily or PaPaw Mike Burch. You be the judge from that picture.
-
REDNECK QUAKER: Lost Creek shoots great way to hone skills, take home prizes
The last spot shoot at the Lost Creek Township Conservation Club was about a month ago and was sponsored by the Sycamore Ridge Strutters Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
-
REDNECK QUAKER: African trip makes for lasting memories
South Africa, a land that will never be tamed or civilized by man. It is a hard place to live for it is very unforgiving.
-
REDNECK QUAKER: National Archery School Program a winning situation for all
Kenny Kays has nerves of steel for he has waited for me very patiently for over a month to get together and tell me about a wonderful program the Graysville school in Sullivan County is starting for the kids. From me working over time and weather laden with tornadoes, along with no electricity at home.
-
REDNECK QUAKER: The Breitweiser family loves the outdoors
Hannah just got woke up from a sound sleep at 5:30 this evening; no she didn’t sleep in that late, the senior prom took place last night, need I say anymore.
-
REDNECK QUAKER: Newport prairie an area worth saving
I can stand on my soap box for a long time when it comes to debating habitat.
-
REDNECK QUAKER: Dedicated hunter harvests rare red-colored turkey
About the time you think you have seen it all, you better look again.
-
REDNECK QUAKER: It didn’t get away: Father, son haul in 48-pound catfish
The men in the photo could have won about any tournament with this 48-pound flathead catfish.
-
REDNECK QUAKER: Shaw follows family outdoors tradition
I recently spoke to a young man — Brody Shaw — about all the year’s and animals he has taken, along with fish.
-
REDNECK QUAKER: Parke County men have technique to coyote huntin’
You talk about rednecks, nobody can hold a candle to these boys. When I pulled into Roger Dale’s house, there are stock cars everywhere, a pile of coyotes in the yard and the wood burner going in the house and garage.
-
REDNECK QUAKER: Hunting memories to remember
I have a girlfriend of the old age of four years old and she stole my heart with her big brown eyes while we were waiting at swim practice.
-
REDNECK QUAKER: Examining morel issues with passionate hunters
Here I sit with Alan Reed at Starbucks Coffee about to figure out how and where mushrooms grow.
-
REDNECK QUAKER: The Theory of Mushrooms: Spores, tree roots and wood
Here we sat at a Terre Haute Torpedo’s swim meet and an avid mushroom hunter sat down next to me, so “here goes” on his theories on mushrooms. Jim Mattick lives for mushroom season.
-
REDNECK QUAKER: The morel of the story: Blame mushroom-related pranks on a fun guy
I am looking for the right words to describe the person that told me this mushroom story. He directs about 35 redneck mechanics at his work and he does not do it by yelling, screaming, threatening or using any other ill manner.
- WINE: Find stops many will miss off the beaten path One of the great joys of wine is great wine experiences. I just returned from 10 work-related days in Italy but had a full day in Tuscan wine country and a couple of great wine experiences.
- Deer season now allows 16- and 17-year-olds Individuals allowed to participate in Indiana’s two-day youth deer season, Sept. 26-27, have been expanded to include 16- and 17-year-olds for the first time.
- Valley Hunting: Now is perfect time to figure out perfect ambush point for next bow season How nice would it be to have a map showing the exact travel routes, bedding areas, and feeding areas of the local deer herd? That map is available; it’s just a matter of bundling up and hiking through the woods.
- Valley Outdoors: Mild temperatures make it ideal time to squeeze in hunting It’s the “dog days” of winter. The hunting seasons are winding down, fishing is just a dream, and turkey season is too far off to comprehend.
- Valley Hunting: Peebles thrilled with hunt in Southwest Judith Peebles has enjoyed hunting all her life, so when she had the opportunity to go on a Texas trophy whitetail hunt, it was an easy decision. In a column last year, I recounted Judith’s success hunting boar in the Tennessee mountains. Well, she’s been at it again, only this time it turned out to be the hunt of a lifetime.
- Valley Outdoors: Looking back on outdoor events in the Wabash Valley As another year comes to a close, it is time to look back and ruminate on the big events in the outdoor world in 2005: More land was acquired by the state Department of Natural Resources; the state of Indiana initiated a fall turkey season; Gander Mountain sporting goods opened in Terre Haute; and a potential state record buck was harvested in Morgan County.
-
REDNECK QUAKER: Moose hunt in Quebec is sucessful
Video of M.I.A's Obscene Halftime Gesture
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Woman Pleads Guilty in 1987 Newborn Kidnap Case
Raw Video: Rough Seas Stop Oil Removal
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
Test on Comforter in Powell Unit Shows Blood
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Androgynous Model Walks Runway As Man and Woman
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
Skaters Still Hold Hope for Dutch Marathon
First glimpse of Blue Ivy Carter
Absolute Lin-sanity
Angry Dad Shoots Teens Laptop
Hero Driver Saves Kids From Burning Bus
Funeral to be held for Powell boys
Kobe was 'rooting for Patriots' in Super Bowl
Sandusky on having to stay inside and people turning on him
Wookie Sensation
Woolly Mammoth Caught on Camera?
Sandusky makes a statement
Did JLo 'Assault' Marc Anthony on Camera?
Christie Brinkley's Runway Slip
Toddler forced to run half-naked in snow
Halle Wants to Leave the Country
Northern Lights shine above earth
Plane makes perfect belly landing
Kris Jenner New Face of Arousal Oils
