" Local Bucks For Local Ducks "

Click Here To Read More About INDIANA HOUSE BILL 1194

Current Chapter News Update

January 2008

    I apologize for being negligent in updating current events.  Just too many demands on time.

     The 2007 Horicon Hunt was successful with 60 goose hunters taking to the field with the majority of the hunters filling out there allotted 6 tags.  As is usually the case some fields are better producers than others so it was just a matter of being in the right field on the right day.  Next year we have offered a Horicon Hunt to the Hunt of A Lifetime Foundation where a youth with a terminal illness will be fully outfitted and take to the field with us. 

    Most Waterfowl USA members are wrapping up their waterfowl seasons now with a few stretching them out be partaking in conservation order hunts for snow geese in Arkansas and Nebraska. 

    Are new calendar was set which you can view on this website and hopefully many can attend one of our events during the year. 

     Nesting is in full force although ma nature had set us back a little with no ice in the wetlands the first part of the year; followed by unseasonable rains; and then we went into the deep freeze with temps at 0 and wind chills below zero.  However, a good group of volunteers finally got out this past weekend where we were able to complete nesting on the Jerry Allen and Sporre wetlands and a few private wetlands.  We will attempt to wrap up next weekend at the Roberts Wetland and could always use volunteers to assist.  Again, see the Events section of this site for details. 

    We are in full mode for the April banquet with ad soliciting, ticket sales, etc..  Don Roberts and Steve Roper have been manning booths at local gun and sport shows.  The next month will also bring spring burn time on the wetlands to help rejuvenate the grasses. 

So until the next update….remember spring is around the corner! 

Paul Mazerik

Board Member


INDIANA HOUSE BILL 1194 COULD PROHIBIT WATERFOWL HUNTING ALONG MANY STRETCHES OF INDIANA’S PUBLIC WATERWAYS

 

     Indiana State Representative Craig Fry (D) Mishawaka, has a pending resolution (House Bill 1194) which designates any stretch of Indiana’s river and stream system as “densely populated” if the stretch is in a county of at least 250,000 persons, and there happens to be 3 or more persons living amongst a census block that borders or contains a river or stream.  If this criterion is met, a person may NOT HUNT FOR WATERFOWL on or along any part of a river or stream that is within 750 feet of such high population density area. 

     This bill must pass thru the House Natural Resources Committee, where it will either die in committee, or pass and be voted upon by the Indiana House of Representative. 

     Waterfowl U.S.A., Northwest Indiana Chapter opposes any bill restricting our right to safely hunt ducks and geese along “OUR” rivers and streams.  Likewise, we ask that you actively oppose this legislation.

 

To read House Bill 1194

http://tinyurl.com/26ujrv

 To find your State Representative

www.in.gov/apps/sos/legislator/search/

 

     We thank the Central Indiana Chapter of Delta Waterfowl for bringing this to our attention.

 

 

 

    

 

 

  Archived Chapter News Update


Chapter News Update

February 27, 2007


     On February 15, 2007, the organization participated in Conservation Group Night at the grand opening of the new BassPro store located in Portage, IN. A huge crowd passed by the various groups’ tables and we passed out WUSA information and sold pop and raffle tickets for fund raising. Don Roberts, Steve Roper, Jim Gilliam and other members man’d booths at the Valpo Gun Show and Northwest Steelheaders shows this month raising funds via 10 gun; Quad 4; and other raffle tickets. With the 20th annual banquet fast approaching March 31, 2007, there are plenty of dinner tickets and the aforementioned raffle tickets available for sale by the Chapter. Contact us at the number in this website. Meeting will be held every Thursday of March up to the dinner date at the Sportsmens Club in Crown Point.


     Despite extremes in the weather dedicated members such as John Jelinek, Bill Husar, Mark/Dick/Paul Zurbriggen, Jim Porter, Jerry Schafer, Rich Harris, Dale Richter, Rick Nelson, and others got out and got the waterfowl nesting jobs done for 2007 on our various properties. Just in time too as the Canada geese are beginning to pair off for breeding.


     The annual Ice Fishing Derby was held February 18 on a private lake owned by member Rich Harris. Some 40 fishermen, ladies, and youths came out for a fun day on the ice. The event was established by Rich’s father as a means of recruiting memberships for the Chapter and the tradition has successfully carried on.



     To date 6 Horicon hunters have signed up for this years goose hunt in Wisconsin. Look for our ad in Midwest Outdoors publication April, May, and June. Sign up information can be found in the Events section of this website.

    

     As weather conditions begin to change into the spring mode we will have our prescription burn on the Jerry Allen Marsh property which has been postponed several times due to snow and wet conditions.

     In case you’re wondering who the excellent WebMaster is that keeps this website sharp it is remote member Dave Bires in Florida. Thanks Dave.
 

Until our March update thank you for your interest in Waterfowl USA NW Indiana Chapter.



Recent Chapter News
     On Saturday 1/6/07 several WUSA members assembled at the Jerry Allen Marsh property in hopes of performing a burn to stimulate new plant growth for spring. However, several days of rain prior made it possible to perform the task. A rescheduled date will be set under dryer conditions.

     On Saturday 1/20/07 we began our nesting construction at JohnJelinek’s home. In attendance were myself, John, Jim Porter, Dick Zurbriggen, Mark Zurbriggen, and some new faces in Al Fritz and his son Tyler. Al just completed entering acreage into WRP across the Kankakee River from the Roberts Marsh. Him and his son wanted to see the details in Woodduck house and Mallard Cylinder nest construction and jumped right in to assist.

     We will continue our nest construction/installation season and can always use help with the woodduck boxes, mallard cylinder nests, and goose platforms. We assemble, for the most part, at John Jelinek’s residence in Valparaiso, IN every Saturday at 8:30 AM.

     If hands on is not your thing, we also use help at spreading the word at the various gun/sportshows in the area. Refer to our calendar for locations and dates. Spend an hour or two and meet  the public and other wetland/waterfowl enthusiasts.  We are also one of the conservation groups that have been invited to the big Grand Opening of the new Bass Pro Shops store located in Portage, IN on February 14.  A great way to spend Valentines Day!

      If Mother Nature cooperates, come out on the ice at member Rich Harris’ private lake for some panfishing in February.  Always a fun day with no work involved!

     From now to late spring we are busy with many different activities related to our main purpose in protecting the vanishing wetlands we currently have and aiding directly or indirectly to restoration of former ones or construction of new ones.  So it would be great to see and meet members and sons and/or daughters at any of our gatherings.

Paul Mazerik

Board Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 Statement Of Purpose

Waterfowl U.S.A. is a national, non-profit, waterfowl conservation organization dedicated to using funds in the areas in which they are raised for local and state waterfowl habitat projects.

 

Youth Education Programs

  The Northwest Indiana Chapter of Waterfowl U.S.A. realizes that the youth of today will be our leaders of tomorrow. With this in mind, we are working diligently to educate our youth in sound conservation practices. Today's youth needs to be taught and understand that while our waterfowl resource is a renewable resource, our wetlands are a resource that must be protected.

Click Here to browse the website for the  National Chapter of Waterfowl USA

 

 

 
 

© Northwest Indiana Chapter of Waterfowl USA

1707 South Cline Ave, Griffith Indiana 46319

Telephone( 219) 322-1545

webmaster@nwiwusa.org