Indiana could extend dove season to 90 days

Indiana is poised to extend its hunting season for doves to 90 days, as recommended by Eastern Management Unit Dove Technical Committee.

The extension must be approved by the Mississippi Flyway Council and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before any changes in Indiana would be considered.

That would add 20 days to the seasons of the past couple decades. The 90-day season would still open on Sept. 1. But, if approved, Indiana would have the option of splitting the season into as many as three and running them until Jan. 15.

If approved, the DNR will seek input from the public, staff and property managers, probably in April, said Budd Veverka, farmland game research biologist with the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife.

“Our options are open because of the extra days, there are things we can try,’’ he said. “Typically, it is nice to have a second opener. I am more in favor of having at least one split.’’

Quail and winter: I had called Veverka to check the impact of this winter on quail.

“I guarantee it has an impact,’’ he said. “Not only severe temperatures, but snow pack is never a good thing.’’

Both the cold and snow pack have been relentless.

“If we drag on much to late February to early March and are still dealing with it, then [it could be bad],’’ he said.

Last year, quail had rebounded in the southern portion of the area in marginal habitats for the upland bird.

“More than likely some of the upticks we have seen last year, they will get knocked back down,’’ Veverka said. “The bounce back will probably get hit.’’

But it is sometimes two years before impacts either way (up or down) are noticed in the whistle counts (the monitoring method). He said the critical period is May 15-July 30.

“Our hopes right now are spring comes and dries out and we have a nice warm summer and a little on the dry side,’’ Veverka said.

The dry summers in 2012 and 2013 were favored by quail.

Political good news: Senate Bill 404 Hunting Preserves/Canned Hunting failed to pass out of the Senate this week, in a victory for ethical hunters. The vote was 25 for and 23 against. A constitutional majority of 26 or more was required to pass.

“This is a powerful demonstration of the impact your grassroots voices can have,’’ said Barb Simpson, executive director of the Indiana Wildlife Federation. “Thank you to all who made phone calls, wrote letters, sent emails, and educated legislators on the many reasons why canned hunting is bad for Indiana.’’

Fishing: Ice is universal, but the prime spot for ice fishing remains Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area.

“There are a lot of big fish, some 91⁄2-inch bluegill and a few redears and warmouth,’’ said Capt. Rich Sleziak at Slez’s Bait in Lake Station.

Site staff reported catches as up and down with 15 inches of ice topped with 10 inches of snow. Despite the brutal cold Thursday morning, there were at least 10 ice fishermen out.