Free beginner waterfowl hunting workshops to be offered this fall
Two free waterfowl hunting workshops will be offered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources this fall.

The first will be at Grouse Ridge Public Fishing Area on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The second will be on Saturday, Oct. 8, at Monroe Lake’s North Fork Service Area, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The same material will be covered at both events – there is no need to attend both.

The workshops are intended for novice waterfowl hunters and those who want to try waterfowl hunting for the first time. All ages are welcome.

“We had folks at last year’s event aged from 8 to 73,” said DNR waterfowl biologist Adam Phelps. “All beginners are welcome.”

Parents who already hunt waterfowl are welcome to bring children, but the material is tailored for beginners; experienced waterfowl hunters are not likely to get much out of the workshops.

Organizers hope to build on the success of last year’s novice waterfowl workshop at Monroe Lake.

“We had over 50 people at last year’s event,” Phelps said. “Feedback from participants was excellent and helped fine-tune the presentations for this year.”

Presentation topics will include waterfowl hunting regulations; duck and goose identification; and equipment and techniques, including a show-and-tell segment. Waterfowl hunting equipment, including blinds, waders, clothing, decoys, gadgets and boats will be displayed and discussed at length.

“Despite all the equipment you can use, we stress that you can hunt ducks and geese with a minimum outlay, so we focus on what you must have,” Phelps said.

DNR Law Enforcement and Fish & Wildlife personnel will be available to answer questions. Lunch will be provided.

Both workshops are free but registration for the Monroe Lake workshop is required; no registration is required for the Grouse Ridge workshop. Participants may register for Monroe Lake by calling South Region Law Enforcement at (812) 837-9536. Questions on the Monroe Lake workshop may be addressed to Phelps at (812) 334- 1137. Questions on the Grouse Ridge workshop may be addressed to Steve Mund at (812) 346-5596.

For more information: Adam Phelps, DNR waterfowl biologist, (812) 334-1137, aphelps@dnr.in.gov .