This weekend at the 2010 Deer, Turkey, & Waterfowl Expo I shot some videos with some local businesses that had booths. Knightstown Meats & Catering is located in Henry County.

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Doug Nally harvested this “Big Buck” in Putnam County on Nov. 19th. Doug says the “Big Buck” had 13 scorable points with possibly 2 more on the main beam and dressed out at 220lbs.

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Here is a press release about the STATE PARK DEER HUNT.

Another successful year for state park deer hunts

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Volunteer hunters helped the effort to restore habitat during the recent controlled hunts at 17 Indiana state parks, taking a total of 1,334 deer.

The controlled hunts took place Nov. 16 – 17 and Nov. 30 – Dec. 1 at Chain O’Lakes, Charlestown, Harmonie, Lincoln, Ouabache, Pokagon, Potato Creek, Prophetstown, Shades, Shakamak, Spring Mill, Tippecanoe River, Turkey Run, Versailles, Whitewater Memorial, Fort Harrison, and Clifty Falls.

Versailles had the highest number of deer taken in the special hunts with 202, followed by Potato Creek (186), Charlestown (133) and Tippecanoe River (119). To view a full report, see www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/files/sp-09DeerRMRR.pdf.

DNR biologists evaluate which parks require a deer reduction each year, based on the recovery of vegetation that deer eat and previous harvest information at each park. The state parks are home to many unique natural communities and rare plants. The controlled hunts help reduce browsing by deer to a level that helps ecosystems and associated vegetation recover.

“In spite of poor weather during the first reduction and expanses of standing corn adjacent to many parks, our effort in 2009 was successful in maintaining the comfortable trend we’ve seen in recent years,” said Mike Mycroft, chief of natural resources for the DNR Division of State Parks and Reservoirs. “Though hunters aren’t taking as many deer as they once were, that’s a good sign for the vegetation. These reductions are about managing habitat.”

Not all parks require reduction every year. Approximately one-third of the parks have achieved maintenance status since the program began and regularly take a year off from reductions.

This morning as I was going out to get in my truck to go to work, I heard something, looked over, and there was a coyote about 20 yards from me. He could have cared less I was there. I shined him with my camera light and he slowly walked away. I have never had that happen. Usually, I’m hunting and they run up on me. Just thought I’d share this.

If you have any coyote stories please share!!!!

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Matt Semler harvested this “Big Buck” near New Castle on Black Friday Nov. 27th. Matt says after 13 years he finally made the record books. His antlers scored 177 5/8 Boone and Crocket. Way to go Matt for an awesome “Big Buck”

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