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
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Redneck Quaker: Mascari gets thrills from turkey hunting
Annie Mascari is a beautiful, vibrant, 26-year-old lady that loves the outdoors.
She comes from a large family of four brothers and a sister and lives the teachings of good family values.
Olivia Rightly let me know that I “should talk to my teacher at St. Pats School, Ms. Mascari, because she’s taken a turkey.”
As I shook Annie’s hand, I could feel the energy she has for life. As proof, the first time she went up in an airplane, she jumped out of it!
She’s also quite the hunter. Mascari picked up a used PSE bow for $30, one for a left-hander because her left eye is dominate for shooting. The Page Arrows are her choice for broadheads. -
REDNECK QUAKER: Valley hunters to be featured on Outdoor Channel show
Little did a buck in his prime at 41⁄2 years old realize he would become famous on not only trail cameras, but a television show as well.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Veteran hunter bursting with pride as son gets first harvest
When Langdon Pounds said “Dad, I want to go deer hunting with you,” Jonathan Pounds took him seriously.
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REDNECK QUAKER: USA Shooting unveils 2012 Junior Olympic shotgun team
Tom Berg, executive director of Hoosier Outdoor Writers, says there’s another impressive press release. Member of H.O.W., James Keldsen from Walkerton, Ind., has informed him of his son, Jakob, being named to the 2012 USA Junior Olympic shotgun team.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Here’s one big, but true, fish tail
Here it is a hot overcast summer’s day on the banks of the Wabash River. With no rain in sight it is a lazy old river practically stalled on its way to the big waters on south.
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Redneck quaker: Successful South African adventure
As two rednecks were telling hunting stories one evening, a little lady named Allison Winchell crawled up on her daddy’s lap while pointing at the other gray-haired and bearded man asking if he was Santa Clause, with him replying “Yes, I am honey and you can have anything you want.”
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REDNECK QUAKER: Wabash Valley duo gets hooked on bow fishing
I would like to introduce you to a couple of fine, very polite young men, Eric Taylor and Craig O’Neal.
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Redneck Quaker: Young couple makes outdoors part of recreation, careers
I had the honor of meeting an outstanding “Lady of the Outdoors”, 24 year old Krysten McDaniels. She has been hunting for seven years and she has a resume of animals she has taken only most men dream about with either a bow and arrow or a muzzleloader.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Hoosiers try their hunting skills down under
How would you practice with a bow and arrow to harvest a kangaroo? Jump up and down while shooting or mount a set of springs to your shoes?
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REDNECK QUAKER: Excited turkey hunters report birds gobbling their heads off already
It’s “Turkey Time”. Didn’t spring come fast this year? Yes, a month early.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Release the coonhounds — it’s time to compete
We are going on a UKC (United Kennel Club) coon hound night hunt or field trial.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Dedicated hunter harvests rare red-colored turkey
About the time you think you have seen it all, you better look again.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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