News & Views
November/December 2007
Saving Private Nave (or at least his tombstone) ...
In 1864, Christian Nave of Danville mustered into Indiana’s 9th Calvary (121st Regiment Volunteers), led by Col. Eli Lilly. His regiment saw action during the Nashville (Tenn.) Campaign, and in Vicksburg, Miss., and Pulaski, Tenn. The regiment lost four officers and 232 enlisted men. Christian survived and returned to Danville after the Civil War to live out his life. He was buried in East Cemetery at the family plot, where he rests in peace today.
Why then did his tombstone turn up this summer in a newer housing development as a decoration in someone’s yard?
More than 20 years ago, the story around town was that some of the stones in East Cemetery disappeared when someone wanting to make walkways and other “useful things” acquired them.
In 2007, a current homeowner was removing landscaping from his yard when he turned over a “rock” to see a military-issued, Civil War tombstone for “C.A. Nave.” He sought advice from his neighbor, a soldier serving at Stout Field in Indianapolis, who took the stone to the base and contacted the archaeologist for the Indiana Army National Guard, who referred him to the DNR Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology.
After a quick site visit and some research in the National Park Services’ database of Civil War veterans, DHPA staff found some basic information, then contacted a few Civil War roundtable groups to find someone in Danville who could tell them more. Enter Libbe Hughes, a longtime friend of the Division’s Cemetery and Burial Ground Registry, who has an interest in Civil War history.
She located Nave’s gravesite, learned the history of the lost stones, and contacted the sexton for the cemetery (her cousin), who allowed the old tombstone to be erected next to the replacement stone.
Libbe, who had taken the Cemetery Preservation Workshop sponsored by DHPA, agreed to clean the stone and repair the break. With the repair done and the stone rededicated, now Christian Nave has the honor and respect he earned during his time in the military.
Jeannie Regan-Dinius, special projects coordinator, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, telling Private Nave's story to a local news station (above right).
One youth hunting weekend left ...
Indiana’s second year of free hunting opportunities for young Hoosiers is in full swing. One of the two Youth Free Hunting Weekends is left, Nov. 24-25.
Any resident 15 years or younger on the date of the hunt, accompanied by an adult of at least 18 years of age, can take any legal game in season during these weekends.
Seasons open during the remaining weekend include deer, grouse, quail, rabbit, coyote, raccoon and pheasant. The youth hunter does not have to possess a hunting license, HIP number or any stamp but must comply with all other hunting regulations.
An accompanying adult must be in close enough proximity in order to monitor and communicate with the youth hunter at all times and may assist the youth hunter, including calling, but may not carry a firearm or bow and arrow. The accompanying adult must possess a valid hunting license, unless exempted.
“Our first youth-only hunting seasons worked,” said DNR Fish and Wildlife director Glen Salmon. “Between 6,000 and 10,000 young hunters were in our fields, wetlands and woods learning about hunting and the outdoor world. Our young hunters harvested about 1,200 antlerless deer during the 2006 Youth Deer Season and bagged more than 700 toms during the spring 2007 Youth Turkey Season.”
Salmon reminded hunters with youngsters about the value of Indiana’s Youth Consolidated Hunting and Fishing License. “At $7, this is quite a bargain. The license for kids 17 and younger is equal to an annual resident hunting and fishing license; spring and fall turkey licenses; game bird habitat, Indiana migratory waterfowl and trout/salmon stamp privileges; and all deer licenses.”
A youth pheasant hunt at the Conservation Bird Dog Club near Amo (above left).
White River boat ramp one of seven opened in 2007 ...
The new Burnett Public Access Site on the West Fork of the White River is open. The site built by the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife includes a no-fee boat launch ramp, parking lot and an ADA-accessible loading platform.
The new river access is in southwest Morgan County about 1.5 miles south of State Route 67 on Paragon Road. A DNR Lake Permit sticker is not required for boat launching.
“Burnett PAS is one of seven ramps opened by the DNR during the last year,” said James Kershaw, supervisor of the DFW’s Public Access Program.
The six other new ramps access the Ohio River at Charlestown State Park; the Tippecanoe River at Germany Bridge County Park in Fulton County; the Mississinewa River at Matthews in Grant County; Shipshewana Lake in LaGrange County; the Tippecanoe River southwest of Pulaski in Pulaski County; and Shriner Lake in Whitley County.
See if some of the 366 DFW river, pond and lake public access sites are near you. Visit wildlife.IN.gov and click on Where to Fish.
Become a pioneer woman at Spring Mill State Park ...
Girls and women can explore 1860s pioneer life during the “Becoming a Pioneer Woman” weekend at Spring Mill State Park, Nov. 3-4. Up to 20 women can enjoy quilting, weaving, hearth cooking, moccasin construction, and pioneer era music.
Minimum age is 12 (under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). Cost is $135 per person for programming and meals. For an authentic sleeping experience, a limited number of beds will be available in the Pioneer Village, but overnight lodging is also available at Spring Mill Inn and the park campground.
Register now at (812) 849-4129, on weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jill Vance, jvance@dnr.IN.gov, can field questions.
Fly fishing at the Fairgrounds ...
Those who enjoyed “Small streams & smallmouth bass: Fishing Indiana’s unknown waters with the fly rod” in the July/August ‘07 OI, may find our state’s first fly fishing show, Indiana on the Fly, an antidote to winter boredom. This one-day show, Jan. 5, in the Farm Bureau Building at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, features seminars, demonstrations and vendors.
For more information, www.reelwomen-reelmen.com, click on “current club news.”
Web site shows what it takes to become a CO ...
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is always looking for potential conservation officer candidates. Now, 
potential candidates can look back—and find out what training to become an Indiana conservation officer is like.
Even though there aren’t any immediate openings, anyone interested in this fulfilling career should visit dnr.IN.gov/lawenfor and click on Career Opportunities. The site offers the opportunity to view videos and photos of past recruit classes, and register to take the next available screening test.
Since the training is physically demanding, those considering this career should take advantage of this chance to view what is required from this convenient source.
Conservation officers patrol Portage Marina (above right).
Awards abound at IWF banquet ...
Honored at the Indiana Wildlife Federation Conservation Awards, Sept. 18, at Fort Harrison State Park were Father Damien Schmelz, Lifetime Conservation Achievement; Emily Kress, DNR Staff Person of the Year; and Rep. Robert Bischoff, Conservation Legislator of the Year. Father Schmelz served six Indiana governors as a member of the Indiana Natural Resources Commission starting in 1976, and co-authored Natural Areas of Indiana, which guided the formation of Indiana’s nature preserves. Kress led the development of a state trails program and creation of Redbird SRA, the DNR’s first off-road vehicle facility. Rep. Bischoff, chairman of the NRC in the Indiana House of Representatives, provided creative leadership in adopting a Senior Fishing License. The new $3 license will allow Indiana to qualify for hundreds of thousands of dollars previously lost in federal matching funds.
IWF Conservation Award winners: Father Damien Schmels, Emily Kress and Rep. Robert Bischoff (above left).