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Sunday, October 23, 2005

Ind. Gov't. - Pros and cons of Indiana game "preserves"

The pros and cons of so-called Indiana game preserves are explored today in a lengthy front-page story by Will Higgins in the Indianapolis Star. Some quotes from mid-way through the article:

Mainstream hunting organizations say high-fence hunting amounts to the shooting of what are essentially farm animals. Critics say high-fence hunting cuts off an animal's escape route, negates the time-honored concept of "fair chase" and gives hunting a bad name.

Animal-rights activists such as the Humane Society of the United States oppose all hunting but especially high-fence hunting, which they consider exceptionally foul. Foes also worry that confining deer increases the chance of disease, such as chronic wasting disease, which could spread to the wild deer population.

The potential death knell of Bruce's preserve came this summer when the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, after allowing the practice for a decade, pronounced it illegal. Kyle Hupfer, the DNR's newly appointed director, gave Bruce and the other high-fence preserves operating in Indiana until next spring to cease operations.

[Rodney]Bruce, who works a factory job during the week, doesn't understand the outrage. "What I've got is the same principle as a pay (fishing) lake," he said.

In 1999, when Bruce was considering getting into the business, he wrote to the DNR to make sure it was legal. "My question is," he wrote, "can I legally charge people to come to my place for this vacation/hunting experience?"

The DNR gave him the green light, though it cautioned that "state statutes and rules may change in the future that would disallow the type of business venture that you have described to us." Bruce moved ahead with his plans.

For earlier, related ILB entries, see 8/13/05, 8/26/05, and 8/27/05.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on October 23, 2005 07:53 AM
Posted to Environment | Indiana Government