Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of several new hunting, fishing and trapping licenses, effective July 1.

The changes include:

(1) creation of non-resident youth hunting and trapping licenses,

(2) a change so that youth under age 18 no longer need a fishing license to fish in Indiana public waters,

(3) the resident youth consolidated hunting license now includes trapping, and

Right now at Cannelton Dam the river stage is 12.8' below the dam and is expected to fall to 11.6' by July 3rd. Down river to Newburgh Dam it is 15.5' below and is expected to fall to 13.8' by July 3rd. Near Uniontown Ky at J.T. Myers Dam it is currently 16.8' below the dam and is expected to fall to 14.8' by July 3rd.

Photo from saukvalley.com.

A week after droves of fish began to surface on the Rock River, gasping for air – and a week after thousands of fish subsequently died off – residents and officials alike still have more questions than answers.

Full story at saukvalley.com

This week Phil Potter gives us all a reason to go kill more coyotes.

Coyotes thinning deer population

And Steve Ford talks about his heart attack.

Heart attack can't stop him

The 2009-2010 DNR Hunting and Trapping Guide is now available on the DNR Web site, dnr.IN.gov.

Within the next week or two, the guide will be available, free of charge, at most DNR properties, various sporting goods stores, hunting license vendors and other locations around the state.

The 44-page publication's cover shows a hunter participating in a deer reduction hunt last winter at Tippecanoe River State Park.

Birding Day at Goose Pond is July 11

The annual free community birding day at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area known as "Coming Home to Roost," presented by The Friends of Goose Pond group, will be held July 11, at 6:30 p.m., at Pleasant Grove Farm.

Goose Pond is rapidly becoming known as prime territory for bird watching. A confirmed sighting of a Roseate Spoonbill occurred on June 2, making the FWA the first location in the state to have such a sighting.

Hunters may apply for a reserved hunt online by visiting www.IndianaOutdoor.IN.gov and clicking on the "Register for a Reserved Hunt" link, beginning July 1. The online method will be the only way to apply.

From NRA website:

In anticipation of House Bill 182 being transmitted to Governor Pat Quinn (D), anti-gun groups are mounting a campaign urging the Governor to veto this important pro-gun reform bill.

The 2009 spring season harvest was Indiana's second highest since modern-day turkey seasons began 40 years ago, exceeding the 2008 harvest by 789 birds.

Of the approximately 59,000 hunters who pursued wild turkey in the state this spring, 12,993 were successful. Wild turkeys were killed in 88 of the 92 counties open to turkey hunting during the regular season, April 22 to May 10, and the youth season, April 18 and 19.

More boaters will be on Kentucky waters during the upcoming July 4th holiday weekend than at any other time of year. Families will head to the water to fish, tube, water ski and enjoy a long weekend away from work. Boats full of vacationing friends will navigate crowded waters to find the best spot to watch fireworks.