Indiana Sportsmen’s Roundtable joins the Indiana Wildlife Federation

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  • AGarbers

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    This was sent to me by fellow HOW member Dean Shadley:

    "Dear Indiana Sporting Organization Leaders,
    Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Dean Shadley, and I am a recently retired Indiana Conservation Officer. I served the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division for over thirty-three years. Sixteen of those years I served as a field officer. The remaining years I was in charge of Indiana’s Turn In a Poacher Program and public relations for the Law Enforcement Division.
    Recently, the Indiana Wildlife Federation’s (IWF) Executive Director John Goss invited me to work for IWF. The job involves PR and membership recruitment. IWF has taken on a new challenge, and I’m proud to be a part of this new effort to raise the profile and effectiveness of conservation groups at the Indiana Statehouse.
    Hopefully you are familiar with IWF and the Indiana Sportsmen’s Roundtable (ISR). In case you are not I’ll give you a brief description: ISR has been the primary lobbying organization for hunters, fishermen and other outdoor enthusiasts for many years; IWF also supports the hook and bullet crowd and is heavily involved in various aspects of outdoor education.
    Until now these two organizations were separate entities. In order to preserve the ISR and to strengthen the political position of Indiana sportsmen and women, these two organizations have joined hands. We are very excited about this arrangement and believe it will be an excellent marriage. ISR will continue to be a separate organization, but it will be administered by IWF.
    In the past ISR was under the direction of Dick Mercier. Dick has done an excellent job of conducting ISR business, but he is no longer able to give the organization the time necessary to conduct the day-to-day tasks. We wish Dick well, and he will still be associated with ISR in an advisory capacity.
    IWF wants ISR to remain a very strong hook and bullet organization with hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation being the center of its attention. In the past the ISR was the loudest voice to lobby on behalf of Indiana sportsmen and women. If the ISR is allowed to dissolve, the voice will go silent. We intend to rebuild ISR so it can once again represent Indiana outdoorsmen. In order to implement this plan, the members of the Board of Directors for the new Indiana Sportsmen’s Roundtable were chosen very carefully. They are as follows:
    Gene Hopkins – Gene has been the backbone of the Indiana Bowhunters Association for many years and has spent hundreds hours lobbying on their behalf. Obviously he enjoys bow hunting and has traveled extensively to hunt. Gene will serve as the new chairman of the ISR Board of Directors.
    Bud Dennemann – Bud is a longtime member of the National Wild Turkey Federation. He has served on just about every NWTF board that exists in Indiana and is very well known among Indiana turkey hunters. Bud is also an Indiana Hunter Education Instructor and an avid fisherman.
    Doug McPherson – Doug is the owner/manager of The Outdoorsman Sport Shop in Greenwood. Hunting and fishing is Doug’s business and his passion. The Outdoorsman Sport Shop is heavily involved in Indiana Hunter Education and the promotion of hunting and fishing activities.
    Greg Seketa – Greg is one of the founding members of the Indiana Sportsmen’s Roundtable. Greg is a avid hunter and fisherman and has supplied the ISR with free legal counsel for many years
    Eric Simpson – Eric is the past owner of Royal River Fly Shop in Indianapolis. He is a dedicated fly fisherman and conservationist. Eric has been actively involved in many Hoosier conservation projects. He also enjoys bird hunting and shooting.
    John Goss – John is currently the Executive Director of the Indiana Wildlife Federation and served as the Director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources during the last Democrat administration. John is no stranger to Indiana’s legislators or politics. He has spent many hours lobbying on behalf of Indiana’s outdoor enthusiasts. When time permits John enjoys fishing, kayaking and rowing.
    Kyle Hupfer – Kyle also is a past DNR Director with many valuable connections to the Indiana Legislature. Kyle is a passionate bow and gun hunter. His talents as an attorney and lobbyist are valuable assets to the ISR.
    As you can see this Board represents one of the most experienced and prestigious groups ever assembled for the purpose of lobbying for Indiana’s hunting and fishing community. This team has a lengthy background in two mandatory areas of expertise: outdoor sports and Indiana politics.
    The goals of the new ISR are few and simple. It is our intention to build a large membership base, keep those members informed of issues that concern them as Indiana sportsmen and women and present their views on those issues to the Indiana Legislature and Indiana’s DNR.
    Your organization is invited to become a member of the Indiana Sportsmen’s Roundtable and the Indiana Wildlife Federation for 2010. There will be at least three meetings each year for all Roundtable member groups to discuss DNR policy and conservation legislation.
    The first meeting for all interested organizations is December 12, 2009 in the Natural Resources Education Center at Fort Harrison State Park at 1 PM. Prior to the meeting you will receive a list of issues compiled by DNR Advisory Council Chairman Pat Early. Included in the list are some of the issues that will be considered for change during the next year. This meeting will afford you and your organization the opportunity to discuss these issues with the people that will be offering your opinions to DNR officials and the Indiana Legislature. Please plan to attend.
    An aggressive lobbying organization is not without its costs. Our intention is to involve as many hunting and fishing groups as we can. We intend to be frugal but we will need funding if we are going to be successful in our lobbying effort. Below you will find a payment schedule for membership in the Indiana Sportsman’s Roundtable. Fees will be assessed according to the size of your group. We urge you to participate in the only organization in Indiana that has the ability to make you an informed outdoorsman or outdoorswoman.
    The Indiana Wildlife Federation has over 50 local and state conservation groups as affiliates. Your organization is invited to affiliate with both the Indiana Wildlife Federation and the Indiana Sportsmen’s Roundtable for 2010. One membership fee covers both organizations for the coming year. Your membership in the ISR insures that you and your organization’s members will be kept abreast of the latest issues concerning hunting, fishing, trapping and other forms of outdoor recreation.
    Indiana Sportsman’s Roundtable Membership Fees:
    1 – 25 Members $50.00
    26 – 50 Members $100.00
    51 and Over $150.00
    Additional contributions are greatly appreciated from all supporters.
    Groups that contribute $1,000 or more are considered lobbying partner groups and will be regularly consulted on conservation legislation. Please fill out the attached application and send it to the address below.
    Membership fees should be mailed to:
    Indiana Sportsmen’s Roundtable
    4715 W 106th Street
    Zionsville, IN 46077
    Please include the name and address of your organization and the name, address, phone number and email address of the contact person for your organization and at least one additional contact person with an email address who would like to receive Roundtable communications. Remember, our most effective means of communication will be through email, so it is important to include someone who can forward information to your members.
    If you have questions, please email me at shadleyds@verizon.net. Be sure to leave a daytime phone number where you can be reached.
    I’d also welcome an invitation to attend one of your organization’s meetings to discuss upcoming legislative issues and the future of the Indiana Sportsman’s Roundtable.
    Sincerely,
    Dean Shadley

    Here is a listing of issues taken up by the ISR:

    ISSUES ADOPTED BY FULL CONSENSUS SUPPORT of All ISR organizations present on December 12th:
    1. NEW CROSSBOW LICENSE AND SEASON COINCIDING WITH GUN SEASON FOR DEER
    2. YEAR ROUND COYOTE SEASON
    3. ALLOW COON DOG RUNNING IN LATE WINTER DEER SEASON
    4. PERMIT SHAD AS BAIT FOR STRIPER FISHING FOR 6 DNR RECOMMENDED LAKES AND ALLOW 10 FOOT CAST NETS TO CATCH SHAD. PROHIBIT TRANSFER OF SHAD OFF LAKE WHERE TAKEN.
    ISSUES TABLED FOR MORE INFORMATION
    1. DEER MANAGEMENT PLAN- (ISR task force appointed)
    2. REQUIRE HUNTER ORANGE IN DEER BLINDS
    3. CROSS BOW FOR AGE 65 AND OVER IN ARCHERY SEASON
    4. 14 INCH SIZE LIMIT FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS STATEWIDE
    5. TELECHECK FOR TURKEY AND DEER REPLACING CHECK STATIONS
    6. CATFISH SALES TO PAY LAKES
    7. COON DOG RUNNING IN EARLY DEER SEASON-ISR task force appointed)
    8. REDUCTION OF GROUSE SEASON
    9. WATERFOWL HUNTING DATES

    Next meeting: Indiana Sportsmen’s Roundtable,
    February 6th,
    Fort Harrison State Park, Garrison 10-Noon.


     

    AGarbers

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    ISR joins the IWF addition...

    Indiana Sportsmen’s Roundtable
    Fort Harrison State Park
    December 12, 2009
    (Highlights from the first meeting of the newly revitalized Sportsmen’s Roundtable)
    Organizations attending:
    New ISR member organizations already committed include: Sand Creek Conservation Club-Jennings County – John Meyer, Indiana Conservation Officers Organization - Jeff Wells, Bartholomew County Conservation Club, Pheasants Forever – Dean Farr, Pheasants Forever – Tim Smith, Indiana Deer Hunters Association – Dave Delaney, ISR – Dick Mercier, National Wild Turkey Federation – Bud Dennemann (ISR Board Member), Fur Takers of America – Tim Julien, Hoosier Tree Dog Alliance – Jerry Moll, Hoosier Tree Dog Alliance – Chris Powell, Association of IN Taxidermists – Brad Jones, North West IN Steelheaders – Jack Hires, North East Indiana Trout Association – Lynn Burry, IN Bowhunters Association – Herb Higgins, Delta Waterfowl – Travis Peters, ISR Board of Directors – Eric Simpson, Ducks Unlimited – Curt Lee, IBF – Woody Woodcock, ISR Board of Directors – Doug McPherson, ISR Board of Directors – Gene Hopkins, IN Wildlife Federation/ISR Board of Directors – John Goss
    Gene Hopkins called the meeting to order and introduced the new officers of the ISR Board:
    President-Gene Hopkins, Vice President-Eric Simpson, Secretary/Treasurer-John Goss, and Dick Mercier as President Emeritus. Other members of the ISR Board are Doug McPherson, Greg Seketa, Bud Dennemen and Kyle Hupfer.
    Gene Hopkins explained that the Board would meet regularly to track DNR Policies and natural resources issues with the legislature. The Indiana Wildlife Federation will provide communications through email and staff support for the Sportsmen’s Roundtable. There will be at least 4 meetings each year inviting all active member organizations to attend and participate in decisions on issues. In past years, there have been as many as 80 conservation organizations that were active ISR members.
    John Goss, Executive Director for the Indiana Wildlife Federation, explained the new alliance that has been formed between the affiliate groups of IWF and the Roundtable. IWF currently has over 50 affiliated organizations including statewide and local conservation groups. Beginning in 2010, the IWF and the Indiana Sportsmen’s Roundtable are merging their affiliate groups into one lobbying group for conservation issues. Any organization that joins the Roundtable will also be an affiliate member of the Indiana Wildlife Federation with one membership paid each calendar year. Any organization that does not wish to be an IWF affiliate can contact John Goss to discuss.
    Goss further explained the ISR goals-active lobbying at the Indiana General Assembly, consensus building and issue position statements, representation with Indiana Department of Natural Resources rule and policy making meetings and regular communications with all ISR member organizations.
    Dean Shadley, retired Conservation Officer, is the membership coordinator for ISR. Dean presented the 2010 ISR membership structure-
    Gene Hopkins further emphasized that two way communications from conservation groups to the Roundtable and from the Roundtable to conservation groups is the primary reason for groups to join and actively participate in the new Roundtable.
    Goss also reported that the Fish and Wildlife Action Committee that has operated as an ad hoc lobbying organization for the past two years voted in August to merge their efforts with the ISR for 2010. There were 21 organizations participating in the lobbying projects the past two years that are all invited to join the Roundtable.
    Decision making by Indiana Sportsmen’s Roundtable will put issues in 4 categories:
    1. Full consensus support of all ISR groups
    2. Full opposition of all ISR groups
    3. No consensus of ISR, individual groups supporting will be listed, groups opposing will be listed
    4. No position taken by ISR pending further discussion

    The DNR Commission will review a list of recommendations for possible DNR Rule Changes at the January meeting. This is the result of a year long process with over 1000 written rule improvement suggestions from individuals and from hundreds of public comments at 5 public hearings conducted by the DNR Advisory Council over the past year. The ISR members reviewed the list and voted as follows.
    ISSUES ADOPTED BY FULL CONSENSUS SUPPORT of All ISR organizations present on December 12th:
    1. NEW CROSSBOW LICENSE AND SEASON COINCIDING WITH GUN SEASON FOR DEER
    2. YEAR ROUND COYOTE SEASON
    3. ALLOW COON DOG RUNNING IN LATE WINTER DEER SEASON
    4. PERMIT SHAD AS BAIT FOR STRIPER FISHING FOR 6 DNR RECOMMENDED LAKES AND ALLOW 10 FOOT CAST NETS TO CATCH SHAD. PROHIBIT TRANSFER OF SHAD OFF LAKE WHERE TAKEN.
    ISSUES TABLED FOR MORE INFORMATION
    1. DEER MANAGEMENT PLAN- (ISR task force appointed)
    2. REQUIRE HUNTER ORANGE IN DEER BLINDS
    3. CROSS BOW FOR AGE 65 AND OVER IN ARCHERY SEASON
    4. 14 INCH SIZE LIMIT FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS STATEWIDE
    5. TELECHECK FOR TURKEY AND DEER REPLACING CHECK STATIONS
    6. CATFISH SALES TO PAY LAKES
    7. COON DOG RUNNING IN EARLY DEER SEASON-ISR task force appointed)
    8. REDUCTION OF GROUSE SEASON
    9. WATERFOWL HUNTING DATES

    Next meeting: Indiana Sportsmen’s Roundtable,
    February 6th,
    Fort Harrison State Park, Garrison 10-Noon.
     

    AGarbers

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    Last but not least... ISR Application

    Posting the application didn't work. Anyone interested in the application can PM me and I'll send a MS Word doc via e-mail.
    Thanks,
    Alan Garbers
    Member Hoosier Outdoor Writers​
     
    Last edited:

    tenring

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    Glad to see that the ISRT is back up and running, waiting for a good while to see this news, as I have been involved with it from day one.
     
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