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Indiana Department of Natural ResourcesDivision of Fish and Wildlife

Spring 2001

Topics this issue...Eurasian collared dove

Wild turkey genetics

Private lands initiative

The mushroom classroom

Wild turkey hunting season forecast

In 2000, hunters harvested 7,822 wild turkeys in 72 of the 74 coun-ties open to hunting. The harvest this year is predicted to be more than8,300 birds.

DNR wild turkey biologist Steve Backs predicts hunterswill harvest about 8,300 turkeys this spring. He expectsthe proportion of 2-year-old birds to increase due to goodreproduction in 1999. Two-year-old gobblers are generallythe most active gobblers and tend to be more receptive tocalling. Backs’ predictions are based on historic trends,brood production and harvest data.

There are no turkey hunting regulation changes thisyear and the hunting range will remain the same as in2000.

This year’s season begins on Wednesday, April 25 andruns through Sunday, May 13. Last year’s harvest of morethan 7,800 birds was the 18th consecutive season ofincreased harvests. Hunters harvested wild turkeys in 72of the 74 counties open to hunting during the 19-dayseason.

Top 10 counties for birds harvested in 2000

1. 476 - Switzerland 6. 320 - Parke2. 370 - Jefferson 7. 277 - Crawford3. 349 - Perry 8. 275 - Ripley4. 337 - Dearborn 9. 257 - Washington5. 327 - Orange 10. 255 - Harrison

2000 wild turkey brood productionThe size of wild turkey broods was smaller last summer.

Brood production decreased to 3.1 poults per hen, whichwas fewer than the 4.2 poults per hen recorded in 1999.The decrease may reflect a higher proportion of juvenilehens in the breeding population resulting from goodproduction in 1999, and a general maturation of thestatewide population.

Despite smaller broods, the overall state turkeypopulation continues to increase. Poult survival inIndiana appears to be directly related to weatherconditions between normal peak hatch time in late Mayto early July.

Steven E. Backs, wild turkey biologist, Division of Fish and Wildlife

Biologist predicts another record turkey harvest

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Focus on Fish & Wildlife is a quarterlypublication from the Indiana Departmentof Natural Resources Division of Fish andWildlife. Focus on Fish & Wildlife seeksto educate sportsmen and women, con-servationists, wildlife recreationists andall Hoosiers on topics related to the man-agement of Indiana’s fish and wildliferesources.

Larry D. MacklinDepartment of Natural Resources

Director

Gary DoxtaterDivision of Fish and Wildlife Director

Jon MarshallPublic Affairs Chief

Michael Ellis, EditorJohn Maxwell, Photographer

Focus on Fish & Wildlife is distributed freeof charge. To subscribe, send name, completeaddress, city, state and zip code. Sendaddress changes or subscription requests to:

Focus on Fish and Wildlife402 W. Washington St., Room W273

Indianapolis, IN 46204

If you have questions, please write tothe above address or call (317) 232-4080.

MissionTo manage fish and

wildlife for present

and future

generations,

balancing ecological, recreational and

economic benefits.

Director of

Fish & Wildlife

Printed on recycled paper

Visit the DNRDivision of Fish & Wildlife website:

www.state.in.s/dnr/fishwild/

Gary Doxtater

President signs wildlife funding bills

For the last several years, the InternationalAssociation of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ top priority

has been to build a structure of reliable andadequate federal funding for state nongame and

endangered wildlife species conservation. Lastyear, we laid the foundation. When Congressconcluded business on Dec. 15, 2000, it hadcompleted work on two bills that containfunding for state wildlife conservation. Themain difference between the two bills is howthey are administered. The Department of Interior appropriationsbill (DOI) provides $50 million through the

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service for state wildlife grants. The DOI billspecifies that funds be distributed to the states on a competitive basisand that the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service leverage the federal funds tothe greatest extent possible. Since the new executive branchadministration must be in place before a process is developed for thedistribution of the funds, this may take some time.

The Commerce, Justice and State Appropriations bill (CJS) amends thePittman-Robertson Act of 1937 to include a new subaccount for “WildlifeConservation and Restoration.” The $50 million is to be allocated to statefish and wildlife agencies based on each state’s size and population. Thisscaled-down version of CARA (Conservation and Reinvestment Act) isfunded for only one year and requires states to put up a 25 percentmatch. Indiana is eligible for nearly $1 million of CJS money.

Because many of the details of the DOI funds are still unknown, theIndiana Division of Fish and Wildlife will concentrate on CJS funds thatwill be available in early 2001. Using input from the Teaming WithWildlife (TWW) Coalition, our staff, and some suggestions from thenational TWW steering committee, priorities for this one-year funding arebeing developed for the protection of wildlife, conservation educationand wildlife-related recreation.

The Indiana Nongame and Endangered Species Program currently existsthrough contributions from tax payers. The program receives no state orfederal funds, yet it accomplished the successful restoration of the baldeagle, river otters, and peregrine falcons in Indiana and discovered thepresence of the endangered lake sturgeon in Indiana waters. To view theannual report for the program see: www.state.in.us/dnr/fishwild/nongame/anl.html

Much more remains to be done for the more than 550 nongame speciesand 85 state endangered species in Indiana. The DOI and CJS bills are agood first step. Now the TWW coalition intends to go to the 107th

Congress for a more permanent source of funds with the already highprofile CARA bill. Stay tuned and watch for news about our plans in thecoming year.

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The Eurasian collared doveExotic dove almost ducked detection by determined birders

Like the calm before a storm, weare at the forefront of somethingbrewing. A new bird has arrived inIndiana, and given its history, it willlikely show up in your neighborhood.The species is Eurasian collared dove(Streptopelia decaocto).

A native of Asia, the Eurasiancollared dove has aptly shown itsability to spread its wings well beyondits natural range. It swept acrossEurope beginning around 1930 andhasn’t looked back. Eurasian collareddoves were first reported in NorthAmerica in Florida in the 1980s, afterhaving spread from the Bahamaswhere they had escaped captivity. Thespecies has since expanded its rangenorthward and has been reported inabout half the states including severalin the Midwest.

In 1999, there were at least fourseparate reports of Eurasian collareddoves in Indiana, although only oneof these was well documented. Thisreport came from the town of Brookin northwest Indiana’s NewtonCounty. In September of 2000, sixbirds believed to be Eurasian collareddoves were found in a neighborhoodin Lebanon in Boone County.Neighbors say the birds have beenpresent for at least three years (moreinformation and photos can be foundat: www.wbu.com/chipperwoods/index.htm).

Identification is challengingThe Eurasian collared dove can be a

challenge to identify even by themost astute birders. They closelyresemble the ringed turtle dove(Streptopelia ‘risoria’), a domesticateddove and common cage bird thatsometimes escapes captivity. Add tothis confusion the fact that the twoare capable of interbreeding andproducing hybrids.

The Eurasian collared dove and theringed turtle dove both sport a blackcollar on the back of the neck andhave more squared-off tails than ournative mourning dove. Eurasiancollared doves are noticeably largerand chunkier than either the ringedturtle dove or mourning dove. Theplumage of the Eurasian collared doveis pale grayish-brown and the primaryfeathers are darker than the rest ofthe wing.

Perhaps the best physicalcharacteristic to note in separatingthe Eurasian collared dove from theringed turtle dove is the color of whatis known as the undertail coverts.These are small feathers that extenddown from the belly region onto theunderneath side of the tail in a “V”pattern. The undertail coverts aregray on Eurasian collared doves, butwhite on ringed turtle doves. Voice isbelieved to be the surest way forbirders to identify Eurasian collareddoves. Their three-parted call, a softkoo-koooo-kook is distinctive fromboth ringed turtle dove and mourningdove. Eurasian collared doves alsofrequently give a harsh squawk or crywhen being flushed or upon landingon a perch.

Like mourning doves, Eurasiancollared doves take advantage ofavailable seed at birdfeeders andgrain storage areas. Although theyobviously can be found in town, astheir numbers grow, Eurasian collareddoves may populate rural agriculturalareas.

The Eurasian collared dove has a black band or“collar” on the nape of the neck. A white bor-der can generally be seen surrounding the blackcollar. Eurasian collared doves are much palerand chunkier than native mourning doves.

Future impactShould we be concerned? Eurasian

collared doves have spread quickly.It’s difficult to speculate how theycould potentially affect our nativemourning dove or perhaps otherspecies. Non-native species oftencompete with native species for foodand nesting sites. Exotics may alsocarry diseases that adversely affectnative species. It is simply too earlyto tell what impact, if any, Eurasiancollared doves may have on mourningdoves or other birds. All we can do istrack their spread and monitor theirimpacts on other species. At any rate,it appears that Eurasian collareddoves are here to stay.

Roger Hedge, heritage ecologist, Division ofNature Preserves

Undertail colors are black and white. The blackoften reaches the tip of the gray “V-shaped”undertail covert feathers. The black extendsin a thin line down on to the outermost tailfeathers.

Chi

pper

Woo

ds B

ird

Obs

erva

tory

Older field guides do not illustratethe Eurasian collared dove. Newguides that include this species are:

• The National Audubon Society SibleyGuide to Birds by David Sibley

• Focus Guide to the Birds of NorthAmerica by Kenn Kaufman

• National Geographic Society FieldGuide to the Birds of North Americaby Jon Dunn

Chi

pper

Woo

ds B

ird

Obs

erva

tory

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Wild turkey status in IndianaWhere we have been and where we are going in the future

The ritualAs the daylight lengthens and the

winter storms yield to the warmerwinds of spring, wild turkeys andother birds begin their breedingseason rituals. The wild turkeybreeding season not only signals thecoming of warmer days, but also ofanother spring ritual enjoyed by agrowing number of Hoosier hunters.The 2001 wild turkey hunt begins.

Restoration of the wild turkeyIndiana’s wild turkey restoration

program began in 1956 and the majorobjectives of the restoration programwere completed in 1999. A total of2,639 wild turkeys were trapped andreleased at 176 sites through thestate. Wild turkeys now exist in 81 of92 counties in Indiana. Since 1998,74 counties have been opened tospring wild turkey hunting.

1999 questionnaire resultsHunter effort and success data

were collected through 5,500 postseason, mail-in questionnaires andmandatory check stations. In 1999,the overall estimated success rate for27,285 hunters was 24 percent.

Private lands continue to support71 percent of the total hunter effort.

Huntable private lands within thehunting range continue to increase.

2000 check station resultsThe 31st wild turkey hunt was held

April 26 to May 14, 2000 andbiological data was collected at 277check stations throughout the turkeyrange. Hunters harvested 7,822 wildturkeys in 72 of the 74 counties opento hunting during the 19-day season.This was the 18th consecutive year ofincreased harvest—a 19 percentincrease over last year’s harvest.Fifty-three percent of the harvestoccurred during the first five days ofthe season with 38 percent occurringon the three weekends.

One-year-old birds, “jakes,” madeup 27 percent of the harvest; twoyear olds made up 44 percent; andthree year olds made up 28 percent ofthe harvest.

Jakes averaged 15.2 pounds whilethe average two-year-old weighed20.7 pounds. Three year olds andover, weighed 21.9 pounds.

Harvest summariesData from the 1999 questionnaires

and the 2000 check station analysiswere incorporated into a summary ofIndiana’s wild turkey hunting

seasons. Projections for 2000 and2001 were estimated from trend linesfor the previous five years. Anestimated 27,500 hunters participatedin 2000 season and the huntersuccess was projected at 28 percent.In 1997, there was a 58 percentincrease in the amount of availablehunting range. The new areas openedto hunting were primarily inagricultural land. The amount offorest cover in the hunting rangedropped from 32 percent in 1996 to24 percent.

Hunter successAs the harvests of wild turkeys has

increased, a parallel growth patternin hunter numbers has also occurred.The trends in harvests and hunternumbers are generally related to theamount of hunting range that hasincreased due to restoration effortsthroughout the state.

Hunter success has been around 22percent since 1987. The amount ofhunter effort expended to harvest aturkey has remained close to 20efforts per bird harvested since 1985.

Harvest variables have beeninfluenced to some degree by thepoor summer production (1995-98)and countered by increases in theavailable hunting range.

Turkey populations are stillgrowing in most areas. Increases inthe available hunting range haveabsorbed increases in hunter numberswith no radical changes in huntersuccess and effort per bird harvested.The overall indication is a gradualmaturation or leveling off of thestatewide turkey population growthfollowing restoration, especially inthe more traditional range where therestoration effort was initiated.

Steven E. Backs, wild turkey biologist, Divi-sion of Fish and Wildlife

Wild turkey hunter, Jon Marshall, has honed his calls and pre-scouted the area. Now, it’s time toplay the waiting game.

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Turkey hunting, a journey to an experienceThe joy of turkey hunting is in the journey, not the destination

The 8,300-acre Minnehaha Fish and Wildlife Area is located near Sullivan, Ind. Recreational opportunities include: fishing for bluegill, catfish, crappieand bass; hunting for deer, upland game, dove, squirrel, waterfowl and turkey. Pre-registration is required for the opening days of turkey season. Theproperty also has picnicking facilities and a hiking trail. For more information about Minnehaha Fish and Wildlife Area, call (812) 268-5640.

I’ve always had an avid interest inwildlife, even though I grew up in asuburban environment. I hoped thatsomeday I could learn more aboutrecreational outdoor activities, suchas hunting.

After graduating from PurdueUniversity, I attended the graduateprogram at South Dakota StateUniversity. My goal was to obtain agraduate degree in wildlife science.

While attending college in SouthDakota, I enrolled in the Becoming anOutdoors Woman program. One of theclasses I attended was on turkeyhunting. After completing the class,I was hooked.

After more than four years inSouth Dakota, I came back home toIndiana where I met some friendsthat were willing show me the turkeyhunting ropes.

Having just completed the finalrequirements for my graduate degree,I made plans with my friend, De, togo hunting at Minnehaha Fish andWildlife Area. The turkey hunt wassort of a graduation present tomyself. After we checked in at theMinnehaha office, we proceeded toour hunting site.

De told me to sit in front of a largetree for safety. I would also have

something to lean against while shetried to call in a wild turkey. I gotcomfortable and surveyed mysurroundings. In front of me weresaplings and some low, shrubbyvegetation. I sat there as still as Icould while De used a slate callto see if she could attract a turkey.We sat in our position for two hours.The adrenaline was still coursingthroughout my body, and I was at-the-ready.

After more than three hours ofbeing ready, the adrenaline waswearing off. I was also trying toignore the hungry hoards of peskymosquitos that had selected me astheir own quarry.

At 8 a.m. De said, “let’s try anotherlocation.” Just as we were getting up,De loudly whispered to me, “Beth,look hard right.” There, maybe 15yards away, was a wild turkeystrutting around like he hadn’t a carein the world. The adrenaline rushcame back in a flash. My pulse racedand I could feel my heart pounding inmy ears. I had never been this closeto a wild turkey in the field before. Iwas awe-struck at the sight of him.He was spectacular.

There was just one problem. I wassitting in the opposite direction of

the turkey. If I turned too quickly mymotion could scare him into thebrushy vegetation nearby. Slowly, Ibegan to reposition myself and mygun for a good shot. Being a novice, Imade too much noise. The turkeystopped, turned and looked directlyat me, then strutted away into thebrush. I was so excited at seeing theturkey that De had to remind me tobreathe again.

The sun was now overhead, makingthe air warm. The wind had pickedup, and conditions were no longer asfavorable for turkey hunting.

We walked around other areas closeto where I first saw the turkey. Westopped a couple of times to use theslate call, but with no response. Wereluctantly called it a day and droveback home.

Some turkey hunters might thinkour hunt was a failure. I think it wasa big success. No, I didn’t bag my firstwild turkey, but in my mind, justseeing the turkey up close, in itsnatural habitat, and hunting with agood friend was all that I could haveasked.

Beth Hippensteel, assistant property manager,Greene-Sullivan State Forest

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Wild turkey geneticsIf you think getting blood out of a turnip is difficult, try getting bloo

Hunters on state wildlife management areasover the past few years have become used tothe phrase “Excuse me, but could we take bloodfrom your turkey?” If you have experienced thisrequest, you have likely participated in one ofthe largest wild turkey genetics projects in theworld today.

Wild turkey restoration in Indiana has been very successful, relocating 2,639birds in 176 releases over the past 45 years. The Division of Fish and Wildlifehas used several different stocking strategies over the course of the

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The Indiana DNR Division of Fishand Wildlife and researchers fromPurdue University are collaborating toobtain a comprehensive sample ofwild turkey DNA from a number ofselected locations in the state. Withthe help of wild turkey hunters, thiscollaborative effort toward sampleacquisition across the state has beenan overwhelming success, and, in afew more years, sampling will becomplete. Using these samples, Dr.Gene Rhodes and Ph.D. student EmilyLatch are currently evaluating geneticdiversity in reintroduced populationsof turkeys in Indiana. By doing so,they hope to increase the long-termviability of turkeys in the state.

Turkey restoration programsThroughout the United States, wild

turkey restoration programs havesuccessfully translocated thousands ofbirds. As these reintroductionprograms reach their conclusion,questions arise regarding thesustainability of these populations.Despite diverse stocking strategies, acommon theme of most restockingprograms is that, in most states, thevast majority of relocated birds came

from only a few source populations.Furthermore, these sourcepopulations may have originated fromonly a few individuals. Populationsfounded by individuals from acommon gene pool can suffer lossesin genetic diversity.

Genetic diversityLosses in genetic diversity can lead

to a number of problems includingloss of adaptability and a higherprobability of local populationcrashes. By the time populationsvisibly show the effects of geneticloss, it may be too late to correct theproblem. Thus, we must evaluate thecurrent genetic diversity present inwild turkey populations in order topredict their future viability, and todevelop optimal strategies for futurewild turkey reintroductions.

Turkey restoration in IndianaThe Indiana wild turkey population

provides an exceptional opportunityto examine potential problemsstemming from losses in geneticdiversity. The wild turkey restorationin the state has been extremelysuccessful, relocating more than2,600 birds in 176 releases over thelast 45 years. The DNR has utilized amultitude of different stockingstrategies over the course of itsrestoration efforts. In general,individuals were taken from differentareas in an attempt to maximizegenetic diversity in relocatedpopulations. However, sometranslocations used reintroduced birdsfrom previous release sites for laterreintroductions. Although usedcommonly throughout the UnitedStates, this leap-frog style of

restoration efforts. In geattempt to maximize gennow found in 81 of 92 In

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od out of a wild turkey

The research team is experienced and very con-scientious about doing the job right. The goalis to take a DNA sample with minimal handlingstress to the birds.

The use of DNA-based technologies enables Pur-due researchers to detect even minute geneticdifferences between individuals and to identifyreductions in genetic diversity before they be-come unmanageable.

Thanks to the DNA-based information beinggathered by researchers, appropriate manage-ment strategies can be used to ensure the long-term success of the wild turkey in Indiana.

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reintroduction may accelerate the lossof genetic diversity.

Turkey tracking - DNA styleInterestingly, the diversity of

translocation strategies and the sheermagnitude of the reintroductioneffort make Indiana a particularlygood study area. In addition, the DNRhas been meticulous in itsdocumentation of each turkey used inthe program, providing researcherswith the background informationessential to the study. In severalinstances, blood and tissue sampleswere taken before the birds werereleased. Currently, the DNR isassisting in the collection ofadditional blood, tissue, and feathersamples for the project throughhunter check stations, ensuringefficiency and comprehensiveness.

We are currently in the initialphase of our project, developing cost-effective methods for performinglarge-scale surveys of geneticvariation in the wild turkey. Thesesurveys will use DNA-basedtechnologies, which allow us toquantify genetic variation amongindividuals and populations. We arefocusing on DNA-based surveys forseveral reasons, including ease of datacollection, the need for very smallamounts of sample from anindividual, and the ability to collectlarge amounts of data from eachindividual.

DNA technologyThe use of DNA-based technologies

enables us to detect small-scalegenetic differences betweenindividuals and to identify reductionsin genetic diversity before theybecome insurmountable. Surveys ofgenetic diversity within and amongreintroduced flocks of wild turkeysthroughout Indiana will allow us toidentify wild turkey populations thatmay have lost genetic diversity, andto prescribe supplements of geneticstock to populations before theirviability is affected. In addition, DNAtechnologies allow us to examine theamount of interaction between flocksin localized areas (such as statewildlife management areas), and topredict the potential genetic problemsthese flocks may be expected toexperience.

With these types of data, we willgain a better understanding of thecomplex genetic effects associatedwith reintroductions, and can employappropriate management strategies toensure the long-term success of wildturkey populations in Indiana.

Emily K. Latch and Dr. Olin E. Rhodes, Jr.,Purdue Universityneral, individuals were taken from different areas in an

netic diversity in relocated populations. Wild turkeys arendiana counties.

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Planting and maintaining filter strips

With every springtime rainstorm,surface run-off moves down the slope,collecting soil particles and debrisalong the way and ends up in sometype of water course. If not protected,the quality of the water course can beadversely affected.

When surface water flows overunprotected soil, it can cut rills andgullies and carry off precious topsoil.Soil is then carried into streams,ponds and lakes and muddies thewater and covers the bottom of thestream, pond or lake. This can reducefish habitat. It also reduces theamount of water a stream, pond orlake can store and thus decreases thewater supply storage for your town.

One effective and economical wayto protect a water course is to plantand maintain filter strips alongditches, streams, ponds and lakes.Besides water-quality-protectingbenefits, filter strips also serve asexcellent habitat for wildlife.

The most natural and best filtermaterial is grass. A strip of good grasscover will help filter out most soil

particles, plus some of the nutrientsthat are either suspended in thewater or attached to soil particles.Although any width of filter strip willhelp, the wider the filter strip, thebetter the filtering effect. If notmowed, a grass filter strip providesgood nesting and escape cover formany ground-nesting birds andmammals.

Biologists recommend that nativegrasses be used whenever possible,since they are more adapted to agiven site. Top choices for most areasof Indiana are: big bluestem, littlebluestem, Indian grass, switchgrass,and side oats gramma. All of them arebeautiful when mature, easy tomanage, and maintained simply byburning.

When considering water qualityprotection practices, think nativegrass filter strips. They’re effective,economical, maintainable, attractive,and beneficial to fish and wildlife.

Mark Bennett, district biologist, Division ofFish and Wildlife

The use of filter strips along this creek is an ef-fective way to keep sediment and nutrientsfrom entering the waterway after a rainstorm.

Bobwhite quail use vegetation planted for filterstrips as escape cover and a source for food.

Protecting water quality and providing habitat for wildlife

This farm pond is encircled by grass and other vegetation that will intercept and help trap sedi-ment, organics, pesticides and other pollutants before they can enter the pond.

A filter strip of natural vegetation around thiswater area has effectively filtered out the sedi-ment that can destroy good fish habitat.

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Making a difference on private landWildlife biologists can develop a wildlife plan for your land

If you own property and have aninterest in improving wildlife habitaton your land, give your local districtwildlife biologist a call.

The primary focus for Indiana’s 22district wildlife biologists is toenhance wildlife habitat on privatelands. With more than 97 percent ofHoosier lands in private ownership,the opportunities to make wildlifehabitat improvements are almostlimitless.

Each biologist covers a specificregion ranging from one to sixcounties in size. A directory ofdistrict biologists is available in theIndiana Hunting and Trapping Guideor at: www.state.in.us/dnr/fishwild/.The guides are available at most DNRproperties and where hunting andfishing licenses are sold.

Make an appointment with adistrict biologist to meet with you tolook over your land. During the visit,the biologist will scrutinize theexisting wildlife habitat and discussvarious management practices thatcould be implemented to improve thetract for desirable wildlife species.

Management practices providewildlife with habitat. Wildlife habitatconsists of food, cover, water andspace. The quality and quantity ofwildlife habitat and how these arearranged on your property will dictatethe abundance and variety of critterson your land.

Examples of habitat improvementprojects might include: grasslandestablishment or enhancement, foodplots, tree or shrub planting, wetlanddevelopment, artificial homeconstruction, strip discing, controlburning, selective cutting, woodlandopenings, edge development, andclear cutting.

A Wildlife Habitat ImprovementPlan or WHIP can be developed forthe landowner by the district wildlifebiologist. A WHIP is map for wildlifehabitat management techniques. The

plan may also discuss future projectsor habitat maintenance needs.

Landowners may qualify forfinancial assistance or cost sharemonies to implement these practices.

A wide assortment of funding isavailable from various governmentalagencies, such as the Division of Fishand Wildlife, U.S. Fish and WildlifeService and the Natural ResourceConservation Service (Farm ServiceAgency). Other not-for-profit

conservation organizations such asQuail Unlimited, Pheasants Foreverand the National Wild TurkeyFederation may also assist privatelandowners by providing equipment,seed, and financial backing.

Call your district wildlife biologistand see how you can make adifference for wildlife on your land.

Roger Stonebraker, district biologist, Divisionof Fish and Wildlife

Wildlife habitat consists of food, cover, water and space. Wildlife biologist Rick Peercy examinesthe seed mixture in a warm season grass drill. DNR biologists are establishing native warm seasongrasses with forbs back into the Indiana landscape to provide food for wildlife.

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Cutworm killerToads are cold-blooded predators.

While they may look short, squat,slow, and generally unworthy of ourattention, they stalk, capture and eatunwanted yard and garden pests.Their tongues dart out to catch flyinginsects faster than our eyes canfollow. One of their favorite meals isthe cutworm—a known gardendemolition expert.

Toads also can add song to yourbackyard world. Toads and frogs havea different song to communicatewithin their species—just like birdsdo. Go outside on a warm, spring orsummer night and listen. That’s whenyou will hear toads singing a high-pitched, monotone trill to delineatetheir territories and attract mates.

Indiana has three species of toads:Fowler’s, Eastern spadefoot andAmerican. The American toad (Bufoamericanus) is one of the mostcommon amphibians foundthroughout Indiana and the UnitedStates. American toads breed in ponds

and wetlands in the spring and laystrings of eggs in the water. Afterhatching, the newborns spend a fewweeks as tadpoles, then emerge fromthe water. Adult toads spend most oftheir life away from water, and aremost active at dusk and on drizzlydays. Take a walk at dusk to do a toadinventory—you might be surprised tofind that toads reside in yourbackyard.

Toad abodesPonds and natural wet areas attract

toads. If you don’t have a natural wetarea, you can create one with a pieplate or similarly-sized dish filledwith water placed in a shady spot.Toads seek dim, moist spots duringthe day. Something as simple as abroken clay pot, placed on its sidelike a cave, works well for a toadshelter. Or, you can build a toadabode from piled bricks, rocks, orscraps of wood. Garden centers offerattractive toad homes if you wantsomething more stylish for your

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A cold-blooded predator with “warts”Toads are the tiny tigers of their terrestrial territory

amphibian guests. You may want tocreate a small pond or wetland inyour backyard. A small pond orwetland area will also attract avariety of wildlife.

Toad talesToads cause warts is an old folk

tale. The “bumps” you see on the skinof a toad may look “warty.” However,they’re not warts, and the big glandsyou see behind a toad’s eyes are notwarts either. Touching a toad cannotgive you warts—just as kissing a toador a frog cannot turn it into a prince.Toad glands secrete a toxin—a toad’sbest defense against predators such assnakes, cats, and dogs. The toxinirritates the mouth of would-be dinersand usually causes the predator tospit out the toad.

It’s about balanceAmphibians should always be

considered when trying to maintain anatural balance in your backyard. Re-evaluate the chemical fertilizers andherbicides you use on your yard.Some amphibian deformities havebeen traced to over-exposure tochemicals.

In general, amphibians are alsohaving a hard time surviving becauseof loss and degradation of theirhabitat. Toads can live for severalyears. One toadagenarian lived to theripe old age of 31.

Given the right habitat, once theymove into your neighborhood, toadsare likely to stay. Support a toad—itmay turn out to be a different kind ofprince in your natural kingdom.

For more information, call theUSDA Natural Resources ConservationService at 1-888-526-3227, for a free,colorful Backyard Conservationbooklet and tip sheets.

Michael Ellis, program director, Division ofFish and Wildlife

The large bumps behind this Fowler’s toad’s eyes are parotoid glands, which contain a poison. Thepoison can irritate the mouth of any predators who try to eat these amphibians.

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Some of my most memorablemoments as a child were fishing andhunting rabbits, squirrels andmushrooms with my dad. I rememberhim telling me to “go look aroundthat tree,” and after he herded meback to the same tree several times, Ifinally found the mushroom he hadspotted a half-hour earlier. Hey, thatfirst one is the hardest to find.

Looking back, I’m not sure it wasthe mushrooming I enjoyed as muchas the fact that I was spending timeoutside with my dad. If you haveenjoyed those experiences with yourparents, relatives or close friends, youknow what I am talking about, andyou also know the value of passingthose experiences on to youryoungsters.

I don’t consider myself an expertin mushroom hunting and havemoderate success at best, but I don’tthink there is anyone who enjoys itmore. The only advice I want to giveyou is to make sure you first gohunting mushrooms with someonewho can identify the ones that aresafe to eat.

A quick search on the internetshowed me how far behind I am inhigh-tech mushroom hunting.I found there is a National MorelMushroom Hunters Association atwww.morelmushroom.org withnumerous links to other mushroomsites.

Why hunt mushrooms? Mushroomhunting is inexpensive. You don’tneed a license or special equipment.Mushrooms are not only tasty, but arealso high in the B complex vitamins.It’s fun just to be outside after a longwinter doing something, anything, toget fresh air and exercise. Forget theproblems and anxieties of the day,and just enjoy exploring the woods.

Have you ever noticed howchildren sometimes find more than wedo? Sure, they are closer to theground, but I also think they seemore easily what they are looking for.

Their minds are not cluttered withthe day-to-day cares and problems weface. Well, at least that’s my excuse.

Hunting mushrooms helps usrecharge our batteries, to spend timein a woods where we can appreciateand learn about our natural resources.

I support nature programs ontelevision, but it seems we are raisinga generation of kids who know moreabout the penguins in Antarctica andmonkeys in the rainforest than theydo about the trees, flowers, birds andbugs in their own back yards. If wedon’t know what resources we have inour own woods, and along ourstreams, how can we appreciate whatwe have? If we don’t appreciate andrespect what we have, then how canwe expect people to care enough tomanage, conserve, preserve or protectour natural heritage.

There was a time when youngstersknew their trees. I remember early onbeing able to identify an elm tree,

especially a dead one. It’s importantwhen mushroom hunting to be able toidentify those special trees wheremushrooms are “supposed” to grow -elm, sycamore, tulip. It’s similar tohearing a squirrel cutting and tryingto figure out which tree it’s in—hardto do if you don’t know your trees.

Let’s not let television give us ourenvironmental fix. Instead, let’s headto the woods this spring, clear ourminds, get some exercise, learn a fewwildflowers and bird songs, watchsome butterflies, and along the waypick up a few mushrooms to eat.

There is nothing quite as satisfyingas building memories together withour children. Showing them thechallenge of hunting mushrooms, andthe pleasure and enjoyment ofspending time together. What greatmemories for them and for you.

Mark Bennett, district biologist, Division ofFish and Wildlife

focus on

The mushroom classroomBuilding great memories with your children in the out-of-doors

Sarah Maxwell of Indianapolis, Ind. shows morel mushrooms found behind her grandpa’s house.Mushroom hunting with kids exercises winter-weary limbs and minds. It’s a great time to teach kidstheir wildflowers and trees, watch bluegill build a nest underwater, or listen to spring peeperswhile searching for the delicious edibles.

12

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDINDIANAPOLIS, IN

PERMIT #7429

Division of Fish and WildlifeDepartment of Natural Resources402 W. Washington St., Room W273Indianapolis, IN 46204317/232-4080

Address Service Requested

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

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Find out where the fish are biting,how to spot rare wild birds, and how thisyear’s hunting season is shaping up – allthrough Wild Bulletin, a FREE e-mailinformation service offered by the DNRDivision of Fish and Wildlife. Wild Bulletin provides frequentupdates about Indiana’s natural resourcesand recreation through e-mail. Sign on toreceive information about hunting andfishing season dates, regulation updates, wildlifeand fisheries research status reports, tips onwildlife watching and reminders aboutIMPORTANT DATES for Hoosier outdoorenthusiasts. You’ll also get updates about newinformation available on the DNR web page. To subscribe to Wild Bulletin, sendan e-mail to: majordomo@ai.org with themessage body: subscribe wildbulletin<your e-mail address> Leave the subjectof the message blank. To subscribe to Wild Bulletin on theDNR web site, go to:www.state. in.us/dnr/f ishwi ld/