[huntindog1]

Called a fish and wild life area. Your not allowed to walk your bird dog off season in any areas except for the dog training area unless on a 6ft leash. Plus not allowed to use pen raised birds even tho the state released birds on that property for years at the pheasant put and takes.

This particular Fish and Wild Life Area hasnt had any birds or any decent small game hunting in my adult life time. Its basically a dead property unless your a deer hunter or a turkey hunter. They dont want you exercising your bird dogs on any of the other areas as you might upset the deer or turkey as that is their bread and butter. I have no use for fish and wild life areas in this state any more.

Hunters dont ever speak up and this is what we get. I went to Michigan last year , gods country up there and un like Indiana they are doing habitat development at a rate thats 1000 times more than Indiana is. Not sure why Bird hunting and Small game hunting is such a low priority in Indiana.

Chime in if you have any good ideas on the subject.

Since the failure of the DNR has been evident for years and years its time to use those Fish and Wild Life areas in new ways that allows more access and uses to the Tax Payers.

 

[huntindog1]

The state needs to reopen alot of these places with the pheasant releases and add chukkars so the current areas are not so crowded and dangerous. Also make it available for longer periods to promote the sport. Unless they can outline a new plan to get wild birds back on state property that would be successful.

 

[ALVW]

Agree on the poor use of our FWA. We were able to run field trials on certain FWA for years. Then the state decided turkeys were more important and field trials were not a primary activity. So NO more field trials on any Indiana state FWA. They tore down the barn and clubhouse immediately. The DNR blamed the feds but most all other states have field trials on grounds with the same federal funding.

Yes, we have dog training areas on FWA, but no mowed paths, no birds and can not release birds. Pretty hard to make a birddog without birds.

 

[huntindog1]

went to Atterbury the other day , hadnt been there in a few years, A shocker how the place is now with the military taking back a majority of the land. Looks like they are burning off alot of the ground should help lower tick population. And help small game as small game seem to thrive after comtroled burns. Same for Crosley they are doing alot of controlled burns also. But Crosely I have been there many times and hardly any wild life there at all just deer and turkey. Have seen any rabbits hardly or absolutely no birds at Crosley.

 

[bradjonesbass]

We need a lot of habitat development to help bring the grouse back too

 

[Macleod77a]

Not just Indiana. It’s the same in Ohio. It’s all about $$$ and numbers. Lots of deer and Turkey hunters buying tags brings in the $$$. Until bird hunters accept that $$$ talk and we get politicians off their over fed asses we are stuck where we are. I have seen guys drive from Indiana to Ohio 150 mile round trip to hunt preserve pheasants at $25 a bird! An Upland stamp makes sense to me as an alternative to paying $250 to hunt 10 preserve pheasants! The DNR is not being held to account and we all have to start lobbying our State representatives to effect change. I hunt deer on my own land and have seen first hand corn crop yields slashed to 25 bushels due to deer. Indirectly farmers are subsidizing deer hunters by involuntarily feeding them. Habitat loss, Turkeys and lack of predator control have doomed upland birds. It’s going to take a lot of hard work to fix things. I breed Bobwhite quail for preserves in Ohio but virtually no demand here in Indiana?

 

[Jashroomer]

Not just Indiana. It’s the same in Ohio. It’s all about $$$ and numbers. Lots of deer and Turkey hunters buying tags brings in the $$$. Until bird hunters accept that $$$ talk and we get politicians off their over fed asses we are stuck where we are. I have seen guys drive from Indiana to Ohio 150 mile round trip to hunt preserve pheasants at $25 a bird! An Upland stamp makes sense to me as an alternative to paying $250 to hunt 10 preserve pheasants! The DNR is not being held to account and we all have to start lobbying our State representatives to effect change. I hunt deer on my own land and have seen first hand corn crop yields slashed to 25 bushels due to deer. Indirectly farmers are subsidizing deer hunters by involuntarily feeding them. Habitat loss, Turkeys and lack of predator control have doomed upland birds. It’s going to take a lot of hard work to fix things. I breed Bobwhite quail for preserves in Ohio but virtually no demand here in Indiana?

Welcome to the board, not a lot of action, but there are a few of us.
I agree w what you say, just doesn’t seem to be a lot of bird hunters these days.

 

[crossroads]

Not just Indiana. It’s the same in Ohio. It’s all about $$$ and numbers. Lots of deer and Turkey hunters buying tags brings in the $$$. Until bird hunters accept that $$$ talk and we get politicians off their over fed asses we are stuck where we are. I have seen guys drive from Indiana to Ohio 150 mile round trip to hunt preserve pheasants at $25 a bird! An Upland stamp makes sense to me as an alternative to paying $250 to hunt 10 preserve pheasants! The DNR is not being held to account and we all have to start lobbying our State representatives to effect change. I hunt deer on my own land and have seen first hand corn crop yields slashed to 25 bushels due to deer. Indirectly farmers are subsidizing deer hunters by involuntarily feeding them. Habitat loss, Turkeys and lack of predator control have doomed upland birds. It’s going to take a lot of hard work to fix things. I breed Bobwhite quail for preserves in Ohio but virtually no demand here in Indiana?

Its sad, I think reason is Deer, Duck, Turkey all bring in more money. A new camo pattern, a new non lead shot, a new call for turkeys or ducks.
We as bird hunters can use the same dog for 8-10 years, the old 870 wingmaster will work forever .
A good quality boot a couple years.
We just don't bring in enough revenue . The bird numbers have dropped for a good number of years.
At Willow Slough, newer manager is more into making places for ducks. He's flooded acres of land Ive hunted quail on for 20 years.
Just like the bobwhite quail, bird hunters are low on the totem pole.
The rules at FWA's constantly change.
Years ago could hunt on areas were pheasant's were released til Jan 15.'
Now can only train in areas , starting in March, but not during turkey season, which is close to woodcock migration.
It seems we are doomed.
I find it odd, we can only use designated areas to run our dogs, unless on leash, but guys shed hunting with dogs can use entire property.

 

[Jashroomer]

I know by buddies from hight school that still have dogs do all their hunting out of state. 40 + years ago you could hear quail calling all summer if you were out. Haven't heard any in quite a few years. They are loosing habitat and i'm sure it doesn't help with the coyote population like it is.
Although I did see a few birds this fall while out fishing, first ones in a long time.