"Catch the Combo" and protect more habitats

DNR Director Kyle Hupfer congratulates state forestry staff on their dedication
to the conservation of Indiana’s natural resources

 Over the last year, you have learned that I am an avid hunter and outdoorsman. Through my experience outdoors, I realize that not everyone who enjoys Indiana’s natural resources hunts or fishes.

I appreciate the conservationists throughout the state who spend their time afield with binoculars, cameras and hiking boots instead of shotgun shells and turkey calls. The articles about bird watching in this issue highlight just one of the non-consumptive uses the state has to offer.

While we all enjoy the state’s outdoor opportunities, we should also recognize how they came about. Each Indiana taxpayer has provided some part of the funding required for the DNR to acquire and manage the properties that we hold. However, hunters and anglers have always borne the primary financial responsibility.

Over the years, they have contributed millions of dollars through the purchase of hunting and fishing licenses. Also, with each gun, bow or fishing pole bought, a portion of the purchase price goes to the federal government as an excise tax. Indiana then gets its share of those excise taxes back to put toward land acquisition and habitat management.

Non-consumptive conservationists have also made plenty of contributions of their own. Most recently, they joined hunters and fisherman across the state to purchase Indiana Heritage Trust Environmental License Plates. Funds from plate purchase have allowed the DNR to acquire property that it would have been unable to purchase.

Now it is time to reach out to non-consumptive users to ask them to do a new thing to help sustain our resources: buy a combination hunting/fishing license.

Why would a non-hunter or non-angler want to buy a combination hunting/fishing license?

Because for every license Indiana sells for $24, we get approximately $20 in additional federal funding to be used to conserve vital habitat. From a financial perspective, the combination license provides instant leverage of your original dollars, even if you choose not to hunt or fish. A $24 contribution becomes a $44 contribution.

We are then able to take that pool of funds and leverage it even further with private dollars to buy and manage land. That is exactly how Goose Pond became a reality. Leveraging your dollars and spending money that comes from outside Indiana on Hoosier projects seems like a pretty good idea to me.

That’s why I hope all non-hunters and non-anglers will consider going to a store or online to purchase a combo hunting/fishing license.

The other great way for all conservationists around the state to support the environment is by purchasing the Environmental License Plate for their vehicles. The money this generates ($1.5 million in 2005) goes directly into the Indiana Heritage Trust. Last year that fund allowed for the purchase or protection of 38 properties in 25 counties around the state. Additionally, the Heritage Trust can leverage its funds with matches from private individuals, not-for-profit organizations, and other governmental entities. That leverage allowed for every dollar raised to result in almost $5 dollars spent.

You will continue to hear and see more about our effort to get Hoosiers to “Catch the Combo.” To “Catch the Combo,” purchase a combo hunting/fishing license and put an Environmental License Plate on your car.

Thank you in advance for your support in ensuring that Indiana’s outdoor resources continue to thrive for generations to come..