Black Friday Special - Free Bamboo Cane Pole

Black Friday Special at The Bait Barn online or in store from Now until November 30th 2009. Get a free Bamboo Cane Pole with a $25.00 purchase, or get a free pole and 10% off with a $50.00 dollar purchase.

The Bait Barn

Indiana holiday gift and outdoor escape ideas from the DNR

DNR Holiday Gift Deal - Just $99

Give your friends and family the gift of the outdoors for just $99. This fabulous deal includes:

• 2010 Annual Resident Entrance Permit
• $50 State Park Inns Gift Certificate
• 1-year subscription to Outdoor Indiana magazine
• Indiana State Parks: Treasures in Your Own Backyard DVD

This gift is great for the outdoorsy person who enjoys seeing the beauty that Indiana has to offer. The annual resident entrance permit gets your family into 33 state parks and reservoirs. The Inns gift certificate can be used for lodging, golf (Fort Harrison), meals at the Inns restaurants, and at gift shops at our seven Indiana State Park Inn facilities.

Order online today or call (317) 233-2347 or (317) 233-3046, M-F 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., using Visa or MasterCard.

2010 Annual Passes and Permits now available

The annual entrance passes, Golden Hoosier passes, lake permits and horse tags for 2010 are now available for purchase at state park and reservoir properties.

Also available are Inns gift certificates, redeemable for lodging, dining, gifts and golf at Fort Harrison. Start planning for holiday gift giving and for next year’s outdoor activities now. For more information, visit InnsGifts.com.

2-for-1 Winter Rates at State Park Inns

Stay 2 consecutive nights for the price of 1 at Indiana State Park Inns. Valid Sunday through Thursday, starting Nov. 30 and runs through Feb. 25, 2010. Not available Dec. 20 - Dec. 31, and is subject to availability. Cannot be combined with other discounts.

For reservations, call 1-877-LODGES1 or visit us online at IndianaInns.com.

Pokagon’s Toboggan Run opens Friday, Nov. 27

Indiana’s only refrigerated toboggan run opens the day after Thanksgiving at 10 a.m. Seasonl hours of operation are Friday nights, 5 to 10 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Special hours are available during the Christmas holidays. For rates and other special dates, visit tobogganrun.com.

Help feed the hungry with Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund

Help feed the hungry through the Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund by purchasing the fund's lapel pins.

The pins are available at a cost of $5 each. Proceeds go to organizations such as Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH), helping pay for the processing of deer donated to the program by successful hunters. The venison is given to various food banks across Indiana.

In 2008, more than 75,000 pounds of meat donated to FHFH was processed into 300,216 meals.

To order a 2009 Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund lapel pin, visit sbf.IN.gov.

Winter break day camp at two state properties

Kids age 7 to 11, join us for our first-ever winter camp on Dec. 28 through Dec. 30. Each day provides a variety of fun activity sessions during the 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. camp. You dress for the weather and bring a sack lunch everyday, and we’ll provide snacks.

At Mounds State Park we’ll take nature hikes; warm up around a campfire, play games, and do crafts – all with a winter theme. Cost is $30 per person. Advance registration is required by calling (765) 649-8128 no later than Tuesday, Dec. 22.

At Salamonie Reservoir this year’s theme is I.C. Ice Capades. Daily sessions will focus around ice and nature in winter. Make homemade ice cream, play icy games, discover frogcicles and fish survival, learn about ice fishing and do icy experiments. The camp requires a $45 participation fee, $10 of which is a nonrefundable deposit due one week before camp. Advance registration is required and space is limited. Call (260) 468-2127.

Gift giving is easy with Outoor Indiana Magazine

When you give a gift subscription to Outdoor Indiana magazine, you stuff your friend or relative's stocking not just once but six times a year.

Each magazine's 48 full-color pages are packed with local goodies found nowhere else. Subscriptions are $12 for a year (six issues); $20 for two years. Call (317) 233-3046 or go to OutdoorIndiana.org.

If they love the outdoors, they'll love Outdoor Indiana magazine, and the person who gave it to them.

Help the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation get a donation every time you search the Internet

GoodSearch.com is a new search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine; get quality search results.

If you download the GoodSearch – Indiana Natural Resources Foundation toolbar, our cause will earn money every time you search online - even if you forget to go to GoodSearch first.

Add the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation toolbar at http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/indiana-natural-resources-foundation.

One penny per search doesn't sound like much, but if 1,000 people do two searches a day we'll end up with about $7,800 at the end of the year. If 10,000 do two searches a day, we'll end up with $78,000.

Help the foundation permanently protect Indiana's natural heritage. Sign up to support the foundation in this simple, easy way.

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Officially Licensed Indianapolis Colts Christmas Tree Ornaments

Officially NFL Licensed Commemorative Indianapolis Colts Christmas Ornaments.

Since we have a limited quantity available, call us to order yours today to put on your Christmas tree!

317-545-BAIT (2248)

or email admin@thebaitbarn.com for a PayPal invoice to be sent to you!

The 2007 Superbowl Champions Indianapolis Colts Ornament is $9.99

The 2007 Indianapolis Colts Snowman Ornament is $6.79

and

The Indianapolis Colts Football Ornament is $6.79

Plus shipping.

Small Game Hunting in Indiana is Open

Small game hunting seasons open Nov. 6
Statewide small game seasons, a big deal to the many Hoosier hunters who enjoy days afield chasing rabbit, pheasant and quail, open on Nov. 6.
The statewide cottontail rabbit season is from Nov. 6 to Feb 15, 2010. At Atterbury, Blue Grass, Chinook, Crosley, Fairbanks Landing, Glendale, Hillenbrand, Hovey Lake, Jasper-Pulaski, Kankakee, Kingsbury, LaSalle, Minnehaha, Sugar Ridge, Splinter Ridge, Pigeon River, Tri-County, Wilbur Wright, Willow Slough, and Winamac fish and wildlife areas and Brookville, Hardy, Mississinewa, Monroe, Patoka, Roush and Salamonie lakes, the season opened Oct. 1 and closes Jan. 31, 2010. The statewide limit on rabbit is five per day. Possession limit is 10.

“Areas of the state that had significant flooding this past spring may see a decline in the local cottontail population, but most of the state should see improving numbers. Cottontail numbers should be as good or better than last year’s harvest of 196,633 rabbits,” said Budd Veverka, DNR farmland game research biologist.
Pheasant season takes place Nov. 6 to Dec. 20. The bag limit is two and the possession limit is four. Only male pheasants (cock) may be shot. Males are bright in color, while females are varying shades of light brown.
“Pheasant numbers remain low, but stable. I expect a similar harvest to that of last year’s 6,300 wild pheasants,” Veverka said.
Quail season is divided into two regions. North of Indiana 26, the season runs Nov. 6 to Dec. 20, and the limit is five per day. South of Indiana 26, it runs Nov. 6 to Jan. 15, 2010, and the limit is eight per day.
“Quail numbers remain low and continue to decline statewide," Veverka said. "Southwest Indiana, typically the best region for quail, has seen a significant decline in the quail population this year, according to both spring whistle counts and fall covey counts. I expect the harvest to be significantly lower this year than the 20,500 quail harvested in 2008.”
Small-game hunters must abide by hunter orange requirements when in the field. All small-game hunters must possess a valid hunting license. Pheasant and quail hunters must also possess a game bird habitat stamp.
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For more information:
Budd Veverka, DNR farmland game biologist, (812) 334-1137

Bookmark+and+Share Indiana News from the DNR

The Indina DNR has an online publication to get people more involved in Indiana. There are some great ideas that will only cost you the gas money and sacked lunch and a park fee. (Less than going out to dinner at any restaurant these days) So go out and enjoy yourself in Indiana, just because winter is approaching doesn't mean you have to lock yourself in your home. For instance got to the Dunes state park and watch 30,000 birds a day (Sandhill Cranes) migrate for the winter.



Or visit McCormicks Creek State Parks new Nature Center,

The new exhibit replaces items that were more than 20 years old, and includes a replica of a cave entrance, a look at the glaciers that covered Indiana, lots of hands-on activities, a diorama with a "turtle run" for live turtles, a kids play space with puppets and books, and exhibits about the families who owned the land before McCormick's Creek was a state park.

Did you know that the Inns at the state parks are two for 1 during off peak months? Heres the info Starting Nov. 30, 2009 and running through Feb. 25, 2010, stay two nights for the price of one (Sunday through Thursday only. Not valid Dec. 20-31, 2009.) Please make your reservations by calling 877-LODGES-1. Or click here for On-line information.

The Nature Center will be open throughout the winter. For more information about McCormick's Creek State Park click on the McCormicks creek State Park Link.

So click on the link below, get out of your home and wander Indiana!

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Visit to Brown County State Park during Fall Season 2009

Here are some pictures that I took of the Fall season at Brown county State Park. The tower has been closed to the public in the fall season due to safety concerns. The Indiana DNR has cut away areas in the park so people can still see across the valleys in the park. Hope you enjoy them, they were taken with my cell phone.

There is also fishing available at the park, so stop on by The Bait Barn and grab some fishing bait before you go!

Waterfowl hunting season opens Oct. 17 2009 in Indiana, Duck & Geese Hunting Rules

Waterfowl hunting season opens Oct. 17
Come to The Bait Barn for your Hunting License in Indiana

If a sunrise over fog laden water paints the picture of your hunting passion, then gather your decoys and dust off your gun for the opening of waterfowl season, Oct. 17.

Indiana waterfowl hunters have a lot to be excited about this year, according to DNR waterfowl biologist Adam Phelps.

“Conditions have been good this year on the northern prairies for breeding ducks, much wetter than last year. This is important because more water equals more ducks. Indiana’s breeding Canada geese have also had a strong breeding season due to favorable weather,” Phelps said.

Phelps, however, also cautioned that waterfowl hunting in Indiana is weather-dependent.

“As a migration state, Indiana needs strong cold fronts from the north to push ducks to us. Without strong fronts, ducks are more likely to trickle south a few at a time, rather than in the big pushes we like to see.”

An estimated 17,466 duck hunters harvested approximately 118,500 ducks in Indiana last season. The top five duck species in Indiana were: mallard, 72,400; wood duck, 16,500; gadwall, 6,900; green-winged teal, 5,200; and blue-winged teal, 3,900. An estimated 14,581 goose hunters harvested approximately 67,700 Canada geese.

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.

The North zone is defined as that part of Indiana north of a line extending east from the Illinois border along Indiana 18 to U.S. 31; north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24; east on U.S. 24 to Huntington; and southeast on U.S. 224 to the Ohio border. Duck season in the North zone is Oct. 17, 2009 - Dec. 15, 2009. Canada goose seasons are Oct. 17, 2009 - Oct. 18, 2009, and Nov. 7, 2009 - Jan. 17, 2010.

The South Zone is that portion of the state south of the North zone boundary and north of the Ohio River zone. Duck seasons in the South zone are Oct. 24, 2009 - Nov. 1, 2009, and Nov. 25, 2009 - Jan. 14, 2010. Canada goose seasons are Oct. 24, 2009 - Nov. 1, 2009, and Nov. 25, 2009 - Jan. 28, 2010.

The Ohio River zone is that portion of the state south of a line extending east from the Illinois border along Interstate 64 to New Albany; east on Indiana 62 to Indiana 56; east on Indiana 56 to Vevay; along Indiana 156 along the Ohio River to North Landing; north on Indiana 56 to U.S. 50; and northeast on U.S. 50 to the Ohio border. Duck seasons in the Ohio River Zone are Oct. 31, 2009 - Nov. 1, 2009, and Nov. 28, 2009 - Jan. 24, 2010. Canada geese seasons are Oct. 31, 2009 - Nov. 1, 2009, and Nov. 21, 2009 - Jan 31, 2010.

The daily bag limit for ducks is six. This includes any combination of goldeneyes, ruddy ducks, ring-necked ducks, buffleheads, gadwalls, long-tailed ducks, scoters, teal, wigeon and shovelers. There are additional bag limit restrictions on numerous duck species. Review these restrictions online at http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3569.htm. The possession limit for Canada geese, white-fronted geese and brant is two times the daily limit. There is no possession limit for light geese.

The statewide season for Light (snow/Ross) geese is Oct. 17, 2009 - Jan. 29, 2010, with a daily bag limit of 20 and no possession limit. Brant season is Oct. 17, 2009 - Jan. 29, 2010 with a daily limit of one and a possession limit of two. White-fronted geese season is Nov. 7, 2009 - Jan. 31, 2010, with a daily limit of one and a possession limit of two.

The youth waterfowl seasons are also zone specific. The North zone season is Oct. 10, 2009 - Oct. 11, 2009, South zone is Oct. 17, 2009 - Oct. 18, 2009, and Ohio River is Oct. 24, 2009 - Oct. 25, 2009. The youth seasons are open to hunters 15 years of age or younger. To participate, youths must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age. An adult may accompany more than one youth. The accompanying adult may not hunt waterfowl that day (except snow geese or brant when and where the season is open). Bag and species limits are the same as those allowed in the regular season.

A hunter must possess a hunting license, resident youth consolidated hunting license, disabled American veteran’s hunting license, or lifetime hunting license in addition to a state waterfowl stamp privilege and HIP registration number. Any hunter 16 years or older must have a signed federal duck stamp when hunting ducks and geese. Resident landowners or lessees, hunting on farmland they own or lease, are exempt from the state license requirement except that a federal duck stamp and HIP registration are still required.

See www.wildlife.IN.gov for additional waterfowl hunting regulations.

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For more information:
Phil Bloom, DNR director of communications, (317) 232-4003, cell (317) 502-1683.
Adam Phelps, DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife, (812) 334-1137

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