DESCRIPTION

Splinter Ridge Fish & Wildlife Area is dedicated to providing quality hunting opportunities while maintaining 2,460 acres of woodland and steep hills.

The Splinter Ridge Fish and Wildlife Area, named after the major ridge and historic logging road, was purchased by the state from Charles Perin in 1997. The DNR began looking at the 2,460 contiguous acres of wooded hills and grassy pastures in the early 1980s. With direct contributions from the Indiana Bowhunter's Association, the Indiana Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Indiana Deer Hunter's Association and the Indiana Sportsmen's Round Table, the DNR started the process to purchase the land.

Most revenues used in land acquisition, development, operation and maintenance of Splinter Ridge Fish and Wildlife Area are derived from the sale of game bird habitat stamps. Funds were also provided by the federal aid program of the Wildlife Restoration Project. This federal aid program provides reimbursement on federal taxes levied on the sales of hunting and trapping equipment.

ACTIVITIES

Hunting

• The steep, wooded hills of Splinter Ridge Fish and Wildlife Area provide excellent white-tailed deer and wild turkey habitat. Squirrels are also abundant at Splinter Ridge. Limited hunting opportunities are available for cottontail rabbit, quail and woodcock.
• Check-in is required. A self check-in station is located at parking lot 3 (see map). Daily permit cards must be in the possession of the hunter to enter the field. The cards must be returned to a drop box at the end of the day. Drop boxes are located in parking areas 1, 3 and 6.
• All hunting seasons and bag limits apply.
• Night hunting is by special permit only. Permits available at Crosley Fish and Wildlife Area headquarters.

Wildlife Watching

• 2,460 acres of rolling hayfields, steep, wooded hills, brushy tracts and small creeks attract a wide variety of songbirds and woodpeckers.

Neighboring Land

• Crosley Fish and Wildlife Area provides 4,228 acres of steep to gently rolling hills and seven miles of the Muscatatuck River for hunting and fishing. Located in Jennings County south of North Vernon on SR 3.  
• Clifty Falls State Park offers camping, picnicking and swimming. Located near Madison, Ind., entrances are off SR 62 and SR 56.
• Muskatatuck County Park provides camping, picnicking and playgrounds. Located three miles from Crosley Fish and Wildlife Area on SR 3 and SR 7 between Vernon and North Vernon.

Additional Opportunities

• Wetland trapping is available through drawing only. The drawing is held the first Saturday in October at Crosley Fish and Wildlife Area.
• Additional hunting opportunities include reserved hunts by drawings held at Crosley Fish and Wildlife Area. Pre-registration is required for wild turkey hunting.
• Steep terrain and limited vehicle access to the interior makes hunting accessible to persons with disabilities difficult. Contact Crosley Fish and Wildlife Area for information on accessible sites.
• Blackberries, raspberries, walnuts, morels, shaggymanes, puffballs and shelf mushrooms may be gathered from Splinter Ridge Fish and Wildlife Area.

NO Camping and NO Swimming Allowed.

Please Read and Obey All Signs.

RULES

Authority

In addition to state fish and wildlife laws, this property is governed by posted regulations affecting the public use of lands and facilities owned, leased or licensed by the Department of Natural Resources.

Posted Areas

Safety zones, property boundaries and other restricted areas are marked with appropriate signs. PLEASE READ AND OBEY ALL SIGNS. DO NOT TRESPASS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.

Violations

Violation of any law, rule or regulation governing this property may be cause for forfeiting your hunting or visiting privileges on this area.

Responsibility

The Division of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, will not be held responsible for any accidents or deaths occurring from the use of these facilities.

Permits

In addition to a hunting and/or fishing license the following permits are required:

• Permission to hunt during the day on Splinter Ridge Fish and Wildlife Area must be obtained before entering the field. Daily hunt permit cards must be in possession of the hunter and recorded through established self-service procedures outlined at the check-in station. Self-service drop boxes are located on the property for your convenience.
• Night hunting is only permitted by special permit cards available from Crosley Fish and Wildlife Area.

Traffic

Traffic on public roads through the area is governed by state and county laws. No motorized vehicles, horses or bicycles are permitted beyond county roads. Traffic over service roads and trails, except by authorized vehicles, is restricted to walking. Please be courteous to neighboring landowners. Look for property boundary and safety zone signs. Stay at least 500 feet inside boundaries. Do not trespass on private property.

MAPS

• Splinter Ridge Fish and Wildlife Area Map in online viewable format.
• Splinter Ridge Fish and Wildlife Area Map in Acrobat Reader format

GALLERY

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