Tri-State Outdoor News

The email was stinging and contained some harsh criticism of Indiana’s deer management. It’s clear this group of Indiana hunters is quite disgruntled with current DNR management and is now organizing a grass-roots effort to “take on the DNR.”

The issue of antlerless permits be it too many, too few, or just the right amount, is one discussed throughout the state. Casual observation, however, indicates that a great deal of hunters feel that Indiana is simply too liberal with bonus-county permits.

When we read the email from Pike County resident Alan Nelson, it really contained nothing this magazine hasn’t heard before; hunters are seeing far fewer deer these days. Many blame the state’s excessive use of bonus-county permits, others blame two summers of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) that took a heavy toll on southern Indiana deer herds. Astute critics blame both plus the state for not responding to EHD die-offs by reducing the number of bonus-county permits.

But the message that came through more than anything was the letter writer’s disgust at how he and others in a coalition (that included two state representatives) were treated by the DNR staff that  included its Director, Rob Carter and eight others.

“They were arrogant, paid little attention to us. They were rude and already had their minds made up to ignore any and all suggestions made by us,” said Alan Nelson of Winslow.

Nelson is part of a group of nearly 30 hunters from Pike, Gibson, Knox, Warrick and Vanderburgh counties who have come together to discuss Indiana’s deer management, and other areas of DNR management as well.

Nelson said the group came together a couple of months ago and have met twice to discuss DNR management, primarily deer management, but other issues have been raised as well, such as supplemental fish stocking on DNR properties.

Three representatives, that included Nelson and two others along with state representative Mark Messmer and state senator Lindel Hume, sat down with the DNR in Indianapolis to air the groups concerns.

“It was clear by the DNR’s reaction that they weren’t going to listen to us and at one point simply told us ‘we’re not going to change a thing,’” Nelson said.

Nelson added even the two state representatives commented that they too were dismayed at how the DNR treated them and indicated that maybe it’s time for an overhaul of the Indiana DNR.

“Lindel Hume wasn’t happy at all with how the DNR conducted themselves,” Nelson said.

The core of the current unhappiness lies with what many see has a deer population in trouble simply because the DNR wants to sell deer tags. While the DNR touts record population levels, deer hunters and deer processors disagree.

“I know there are areas of Indiana that still have high numbers of deer, but from what I’m hearing from other deer hunters throughout the state, the numbers aren’t as high as the DNR wants us to think,” Nelson said.

Nelson cites his own experience on several hundred acres of prime deer habitat that he alone hunts and the fact he only saw two deer in 27 outings this year. Others tell him the same type of stories.

“We were hit hard by EHD two years in a row down here (Pike County). It really slammed us,” Nelson said.

Nelson went on to add that he also consulted with a friend in the insurance business that researched car-deer collisions and found these to be down 43 percent. When Nelson called 10 area deer check stations they all said their check-ins were way down and area deer processors also indicated fewer deer. But Nelson said it was the deer processors who really opened his eyes when these folks reported that the average weight of deer being processed was only 60 pounds.

“Where are the big does?” Nelson asked. In his mind, two years worth of EHD claimed these.

But deer hunting isn’t the only issue the group is taking to task. Nelson said they also asked about the state doing supplemental fish stockings because a lot of the guys are fishermen and have seen the quality of fishing decline on several of the public lakes. He said the DNR’s reception to this idea was also one of arrogance and rudeness.

Nelson said the Pike County group isn’t alone in their thinking. “I was talking to Rep. Messmer following our meeting with the DNR and he told me a group of sportsmen from Dubois County have also gathered and signed a petition to send to the state.”

“Indiana has really started to whack the sportsman with fees,” Nelson said citing the cost of deer tags and other fees such as boat registration, trailer tags, launch fees and lake enhancement fees just to list a few. “It’s cheaper to go to Kentucky to fish than it is here,” he said. “Plus they have a lot more to offer.”

Nelson said that it’s becoming clear that the Indiana DNR is more about making money on deer tags than it is in preserving the quality of hunting, and they do this by way of bonus-county permits.

“We’re just rallying the hunters right now,” Nelson said. “We’re taking on the state and this group is going to take off and we’re going to have to use politics to do it,” Nelson said in reference to the DNR’s administration that is based on the politics of the sitting Governor.

“We’re beginning our petition process and we’re focusing our efforts on the Governor. We’ve already got two state representatives behind us,” Nelson said.

Nelson is inviting anyone who concerned about deer hunting and other DNR matters to attend a meeting on Feb. 16, 2010 at the Trading Post located south of Winslow on St. Rd. 61. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Those who can’t attend the meeting can get involved by contacting on of the following: Alan Nelson, 812-789-2860 or by email at alannelson28@ msn.com; Ron Beadles, 812-789-3054 or by email at truearchery@aol.com or Todd Harker, 812-766-9050 or by email at trappertodd@psci.net.