WHIP and Hunting: A True Story

Perry County Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor, farmer, and conservationist Jim Fiedler sent us this inspiring story about a fifth-grader bagging her first turkey. The turkey flock was attracted to Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) land - acreage that had been preserved specifically to attract wildlife and all the benefits it brings to a farm's ecosystem.

Jim writes, 

"Miss Kayla is 11 years old and in the 5th grade at Perry Central Elementary and an avid hunter. The Turkey was measured at Michael’s Market’s check in. It weighed 25 pounds with an 11 inch beard and 18 mm spurs. I know that is big but a turkey hunting enthusiast who has hunted all over the country...told me he has only killed two that big: one 25 pounds and one 26 pounds. (I believe the Indiana state record may be 25 pounds!)

"Kayla killed her first deer last fall but did not even take a photo because it was too ‘small’. This certainly makes up for it! Her dad, Bert took her hunting on Saturday which was the first day of youth hunting. But it was late after he got home. So he got home earlier the next day on Sunday and took her to the blind they had set up on my property on the far edge of the big field in front of my house.

"There were several turkeys in the field and they started coming toward their blind but they became spooked and turned back. Bert decided it was late and left Kayla alone in the blind while he went for his truck. He heard the shot and Kayla yelled, 'I got the son of a gun!' as he walked to the truck! So it definitely was her turkey all by herself. She used a single shot 20 gauge shotgun...and is having a full mount of the turkey to keep in the corner of her bedroom!

"Here is an interesting side note about the field where she shot it. The 40 acre field was planted in cover crops last fall as part of the government WHIP (Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program) for drought relief for farmers. I think an 11 year old girl killing her first turkey while the flock was feeding on WHIP acreage is just what [the conservation program] intended. She should be the poster person!

"Kayla is very modest and did not at first want to be seen ‘bragging’ about killing a turkey but decided it was okay when she understood how it can encourage others [to value conservation]."

Conservation's values and rewards aren't limited to farmers. Wildlife, hikers, hunters, bird-watchers, pollinators, scientists, young people, teachers - the list goes on, but the point is that conservation's benefits are realized not just by the folks who are responsible for its implementation on their lands, but by all of us.

Learn more about conservation and hunting by checking into organizations such as Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever. Learn more about ecologically and personally responsible and ethical hunting from organizations like Orion, the Hunters' Institute and the Indiana DNR's safety course.

Celebrating Stewardship in Indiana

Stewardship Week kicks off on Sunday, April 28. The theme this year is "Where Does Your Water Shed?" The purpose of having a week dedicated to learning about and celebrating stewardship gives us the opportunity to remember our own commitment to protecting our resources, as well as show off our accomplishments and announce our goals and expectations for the coming challenges.

In Indiana, our abundant natural resources are truly something to celebrate, as are the women and men who work tirelessly to protect and improve them. Farmers who value the sustainability of their operation and the long-term health of their land; scientists who are committed to determining the best practices for conservation, improving water quality, and soil health; community members dedicated to making sure their neighbors are aware of the value and benefits of conservation; the elected or appointed leaders of the state who make sure conservation issues are given a voice; and volunteers who go above and beyond to be good stewards of the land in all capacities.

Inspiring stories can be found in all corners of the state. One of my favorites comes from the southeast, an area known for old coal mines, freeway construction projects, and low-lying river bottom land. In this instance, invasive weeds had totally dominated an area of an abandoned, exposed surface mining project. A local man, dedicated to restoring the land's integrity, worked with all sorts of companies, government agencies, and neighbors to eradicate acres of kudzu, honeysuckle, tree of heaven, and other rampantly-growing invasive plants. It involved renting heavy machinery, hours and hours of time, and a sustained commitment to seeing it through.

In another story, closer to our office's home in Indianapolis, a section of a parking lot at the Indiana State Fair was reclaimed in order to build a model of a healthy watershed. Crazy idea, huh? The crazier thing is that twenty years later it's still there, attracting hundreds of visitors and learners each year. Pathway to Water Quality was featured in the February issue of My Indiana Home - check out the article here. This coming Tuesday, we'll be reading a proclamation recognizing Stewardship Week and the value of watersheds out at PWQ with members of the Indiana Conservation Partnership and state government.

What is your commitment to stewardship? Make sure to let your community know! Any time is good, but this coming week - Stewardship Week - is particularly good.