Staff Reports
The firearms deer hunting season opens in Indiana Nov. 14 and runs through Nov. 29.
A license allows a hunter to harvest one buck, but antlerless deer can also be taken with the proper license.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources also has announced ways hunters can help with the study of the chronic wasting disease problem by submitting samples for biologists to examine.
On the weekends of Nov. 7 and 8, Nov. 14 and 15 and Nov. 21 and 22, officials will staff sampling stations to collect lymph nodes in Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, Starke, Dekalb, LaGrange, Noble and Steuben counties.
Although those are the prime survey areas for the biologists, hunters will have the option of bringing samples to certain fish and wildlife areas, national wildlife refuges and state fish hatchery sites around the state. There is no fee for bringing sample material to selected areas. Availability and hours can be checked through on.in.gov/cwd.
CWD is a disease that affects white-tailed deer and is transmitted through bodily fluids or through water or contaminated soil. There has never been a documented case of meat tainted by CWD affecting humans, but the disease is viewed warily as it spreads through herds.
It should be noted that Nov. 28 and 29 are free youth hunting days. Resident and nonresident youths do not need hunting licenses on those days and must be accompanied in the field by an adult at least 18 years of age.
