iNDIANA DEPT. OF nATURAL RESOURCES

Sustainable Natural Resources Task Force

The Indiana Conservation Alliance (IWF serves on the steering committee) worked diligently this session to help create the Sustainable Natural Resources Task Force.

The 2011 Indiana General Assembly passed Senate Bill 375, creating the Task Force. Senator Phil Boots and Representative Tom Saunders were the authors the bill. It overwhelmingly passed both houses and had the support of conservation groups around the state.

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Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy

Indiana's Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy was put together to evaluate Indiana’s natural habitats, to highlight areas of need and opportunities to protect Indiana’s endangered wildlife, and to keep more species from becoming threatened. Learn more about Indiana’s Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy at or download it here.

We have created a helpful guide to implementing the Conservation Actions outlined in the CWS. View it below, or click here (pdf) to download it.

Dog training grounds:

On November 16th, the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) voted to preliminarily adopt amendments to 312 IAC 9-10-7 governing field trial permits, 312 IAC 9-10-16 governing dog training ground permits, and 312 IAC 9-11-1 governing wild animal possession permits. Read the full amendments here (pdf).

NRC is accepting public comments on the preliminarily adopted amendments. You can submit your comments here.

Below is the written statement IWF presented against the amendments:

Natural Resources Commission,

We appreciate the opportunity to provide the following comments regarding recommendation for preliminary adoption of amendments to 312 IAC 9-10-7 governing field trial permits, 312 IAC 9-10-16 governing dog training ground permits, and 312 IAC 9-11-1 governing wild animal possession permits; Administrative Cause No. 09-074D

The Indiana Wildlife Federation is a statewide organization of approx. 1300 members representing individual members as well as more than 40 conservation clubs. We are dedicated to the wise use, both consumptive and non-consumptive, of our country’s fish and wildlife resources. Many of our members hunt, fish or trap.

The Indiana Wildlife Federation is fundamentally opposed to the proposed administrative rule changes that would allow fox and coyote to be chased within fenced areas for several reasons.

1. IWF is a firm supporter of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, a set of conservation principles that is the basis for much of the success of fish and wildlife management in the last 150 years. The model was originally developed and is now maintained primarily by hunters and anglers. Most states and the federal government adhere to these principles.

2. The heart of the Model is the concept that wildlife is owned by no one and is held by government in trust for the benefit of present and future generations. This proposed administrative rule flies in the face of this principle by allowing the capture of fox and coyotes for the purposes other than food and fur and allows individuals to own these animals, preventing equal access by the public to publicly owned game.

3. Allowing the confinement of these animals in abnormally high numbers greatly increases the risk of disease that could easily spread to wild animals. All you have to do is to look at the outbreak of TB among a number of captive cervids in southern IN last year to know that disease regulations are never universally followed and the risk of animals escaping at some point from their captivity is always present.

4. And finally, we do not think this practice falls into the definition of fair chase. To most sportsmen and women, fair chase means the unfettered ability of wildlife to escape when pursued. Putting up any type of fencing that attempts to keep animals from escaping, no matter how large an area, violates fair chase hunting and pursuing ethics.

Steve Cecil

Other

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Wildlife getting too close for comfort?

Get information on wildlife control by calling 1-800-893-4116