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Hunting Tips & Reflections
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By Mike E. Neilson
Mike Neilson, longtime Danville High School teacher and longtime hunting enthusiast is sharing his hunting experience with our readers. He’s also shared his knowledge in book form with Class Dismissed: I’m Going Hunting! (2004); We’re Gonna Need More Arrows!: Hunting Adventurs Around the Country and Around the World (2009); and Pig Tails and Other Hunting Adventures (2014)
Squirrel Season
Note: With humble apologies to our friend “Archy”, this article references his wilder cousins out in the Indiana woods and NOT the local town celebrities.
It’s August and that can only mean one thing for guys like me: squirrel season. Every August 15th for as long as I can remember has been the traditional opening day to hunting squirrels. Even in my advanced age, I still get a kick out of heading to the woods to try my hand at hunting these tree rats. Heck, I was out in the woods on opening day this year! Why hunt squirrels? Well first of all, they taste great. Secondly, those little buggers are the bane of deer hunters. I don’t know how many times I’ve looked behind me thinking a deer is slipping by only to be greeted by an obnoxious tree rat. Thirdly, squirrels are a great game animal to introduce new hunters to the sport. The weather is great, the game abundant, and a mentor can control the shooting situation so that it’s safe and ethical for a shot. Fourthly, you get a great yoga stretch constantly looking up, contorting your body to peak around tree trunks trying to spot a tree rat before they spot you. And I’m sure there are even more reasons that just don’t come to mind.
Indiana has two species of squirrels that are huntable. The first, and most common around here, is the fox squirrel (Sciurus Niger for my friends that read Latin). These big bushytails love the Indiana hardwoods. In the early season I’ve had the most success near walnut trees, but oaks and hickory will attract squirrels as well. I listen to the tree rats either jumping from limb to limb or “cutting” a nut for a meal. Once I hone-in on a squirrel, I’ll slip through the woods and look for movement in the tree or nut debris falling. Early in the season, it can be difficult to pinpoint a squirrel due to the heavy leaf foliage.
The other species in Indiana is the gray squirrel (Sciurus Carolinensis, again for my Latin reading friends). These litter buggers prefer the larger woods north, south and west of Hendricks County. I’m sure there are some around here, I’ve just never seen them. I’ve seen the black phase of the gray squirrel in the town of Auburn in northeast Indiana. I’ve never seen them in an area I can hunt but they sure our cool.
Currently, flying squirrels are protected so Rocket J. Squirrel (Rocky from Rocky and Bullwinkle) is safe from hunters. Piney (red) squirrels are also around. The hunting regs only mention fox and grays as huntable species. The piney is so small they wouldn’t make a mouthful and not being mentioned in the regulations, I’d leave them alone and concentrate on their cousins, the fox and gray squirrels.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention our unique town squirrels. A few years ago, there was a white fox squirrel that hung around the houses from the town library south to the government center. It was not a true albino because the eyes were not red. I have not seen that critter in a few years.
I started my teaching career at Danville in the late 80’s, splitting my time between the old middle school in Hargrave Hall and the high school. Looking out the windows of my classroom in Hargrave, I was entertained by the golden tailed fox squirrels that called the trees around the building home. There were several around there and I was sure somebody had caught a family of squirrels and dipped their tails in bleach.
Gear
First and foremost, bug spray! Ticks, chiggers, no-seeums, mosquitos, and deer flies will drive you crazy if you don’t bring something to deter these beasts.
Hunters take squirrels with either a .22 rifle or a shotgun. A few of us will even use bows and arrows on occasion. Some die-hard squirrel hunters will also use dogs to hunt the tree rats. I’ve never used dogs for squirrels, but I’d be game to give it a try. Heck, I even used a squirrel call back when I was a kid. Okay, it really didn’t sound that much like a barking squirrel but a guys gotta try. Whatever weapon of choice you use or style of hunting, be proficient, take responsible shots and know your effective range.
Camouflage clothing isn’t necessary but since most hunters have a plethora of it in their hunting wardrobe, why not use it. However, be aware that during deer firearms season, squirrel hunters are required to wear hunter orange. Check out the rules and regulations to stay safe and legal.
A great, sharp knife is a must for skinning and gutting squirrels. For a small critter, they have one of the toughest hides to take off. I’ve tried a lot of different ways and including an air hose but the best I’ve found is using a scalpel or a Havalon type knife.
However you hunt them, whenever you hunt them, tree rats, I mean squirrels, are a great game animal to hunt either as a new hunter or a veteran. Enjoy the challenge, enjoy the outdoors and best of luck this season.
Exploring Hendricks County
By Jackie Horn
Jackie Horn and her husband, John, transplanted from Warsaw to Plainfield to be near family. An Advanced Indiana Master Naturalist, Jackie is a retired substitute teacher who continues to teach (and learn) about all things outdoors. John is a retired CNC programmer and the photographer on the team. The Horns enjoy traveling, walking, hiking, kayaking, and bicycling.
All the Buzz
Lately, there’s been a lot of “buzz” about protecting pollinators. Plants in garden center sport labels announcing “Attracts pollinators.” Roadside signs warn against spraying in the area as it’s a pollinator protection zone. So what’s a Pollinator and why is it important?
Pollinators are animals that move pollen from plant to plant allowing for fertilization. Fertilization is required to produce fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains. Without pollinators, approximately one-third of the foods we enjoy would be eliminated. Poof! Insects are the most important pollinators with bees earning the title “Most Important.”. In fact, almost 100% of almonds are fertilized by honey bees. Butterflies and hummingbirds are two favorite pollinators because of their beauty but beetles, flies, bats, and even lemurs are also necessary to various plants’ survival and reproduction.
Pollinators became a concern over the last several years as bee populations were threatened by Colony Collapse Disorder. Monarch butterflies qualified as an Endangered Species. Hummingbird populations have been declining since the late 1990s. How can a concerned person help protect and encourage pollinators?
Plant a garden. It’s too late this year, but never too early to start planning for next year.
Most people think they need to plant only flowers to attract pollinators but vegetables work too. Swallowtail butterflies love carrots, dill, and fennel. Bees are drawn to squash blossoms, peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, and most fruit trees and berry bushes.
Just add water. Much like songbirds, insects need water. I put a clean sponge in a shallow dish or saucer of water for the butterflies and bees. Consider adding a rock to your birdbath so the critters can “rest” while getting a drink. We don’t want to drown them.
A little bit goes a long way. Think about limiting the use of pesticides. Butterflies and bees are insects so it would make sense that insecticides can kill them. If there’s controversy about the danger to humans about the use of RoundUp and other herbicides, how much would it take to make a tiny hummingbird sick? Just sayin’.
Shelter from the storm. Hedges, shrubs, trees, an old log, a wood or compost pile are all potential home sites for pollinators.
Less lawn work. Do you REALLY enjoy mowing the yard? Instead of a perfectly manicured lawn, maybe let some of it “go wild”. Letting the grass grow a bit longer between cuttings allows pollinating insects more opportunity to do their work. And those dandelions, think of them as wildflowers, not weeds.
Caught your attention and you want to learn more? There are LOADS of websites dealing with attracting and protecting pollinators. Google it. If something more Hands-On is what you’re looking for, Hendricks County Parks has just the thing!
McCloud Park’s Bee Fest is Saturday, August 28th from 1-4 p.m. Local beekeepers will be there to teach beekeeping basics and answer questions. The Bee House will be open for viewing an active hive. Kids will enjoy the games and crafts. It promises to be fun and educational for the entire family. Best of all, it’s FREE. Buzz on over and Bee Happy!
A Note From Bee
I have seen several produce stands offering tomatoes for canning and corn for freezing. That reminds me of my canning and freezing days probably forty years ago. Those days at most lasted five years. For lack of a better phrase I was a token canner. I greatly admired people who canned enough food for the whole year. I canned green beans (maybe 18 quarts in a summer, bread and butter pickles and 1 canner of hot pepper mix. Oh I almost forgot , I tried making jelly a couple of times. I could never make it jell. I froze corn (got 5 or six bags a summer). It was a very messy job.
I think I got the idea to can when I belonged to a Homemakers group and there was a lesson on canning. My grandmother canned before I was born. My mother never canned. The first thing I bought was the Ball Canning Book (the Bible for canners). From the book I learned all the other things I needed to can, pressure cooker, water bath, jars. I was ready to CAN.
The first time I canned green beans. I finished at 2 a.m. but I was so proud. I left it on the counter for a week for everyone to admire.
The reason I only made the hot pepper mix once was because I did not pay attention to the warning, WEAR GLOVES WHEN CUTTING UP BANANA PEPPERS. I started cutting up the peppers and didn’t notice any burning. A few hours later I felt like my hands were on fire. I was so desperate to stop the pain. I almost went to the ER. I was so desperate to stop the pain. I almost went to the ER. I decided to call Poison Control first. They said there was an oil on the peppers and I needed to break it down. I should start washing my hands with detergent - that did the trick.
I decided because of that incident and other reasons, I would stop canning.
Bee Jones
A Squirrel About Town
By Archy
“Anchors,” the squirrel said.
Archy unilaterally decided to arrange our discussion topics alphabetically. It usually takes me a few seconds to adapt to his train of thought. “Literal, figurative or combination?” I asked.
“All of the above,” he said, trying not to giggle. “It seems humans tend to use the word in multiple ways.”
“You mean ‘anchor’ can be something that ties you down or something that gives you limits.”
“Precisely,” Archy said. “It can mean danger or safety. The way some people see religion as an anchor in a world they see as evil. But an anchor can keep you from finding other things that can lead to good.” I asked what kind of anchors he observed in humanity. “Anchors can be people, your family or your friends, when they give you a feeling of consistency at times when the world doesn’t make sense,” the squirrel said. “They can also be something that holds you back, from reaching your potential. You’ve heard husbands talk about their wives as “the old ball-and-chain.” They convince themselves that another person is keeping them from doing what they want, when they really use that as an excuse for not having good sense.”
I looked at the court house behind us. “That’s an anchor, too, isn’t it?”
Archy nodded. “Yes, it’s a community anchor, one that keeps the town centered, even as it slowly spreads in all directions. Some towns are trying to create a new center in the midst of sprawl, but it doesn’t work as well as building from the center, with roots that grow over time.” I asked Archy what his anchor was. “Reason,” he said. And as always, the squirrel was right.
Garden Plants That Repel or Attract Insects
By Colletta Kosiba Hendricks County Master Gardener
Petunias are pretty; they also repel several harmful insects.
Sometimes a garden can take care of itself.
Here are a few things that can make your work a little easier. Select plants for your garden that will help control insect pests. Some plants invite beneficial insects, who prey onpests—most of us know ladybugs and praying mantis. Some plants repel harmfulinsects. Here a list of plants you may already be growing and what they are doing for you!
Borage discourages some insects and attracts others.
Artemisia –a strong antiseptic aroma that repels insects Basil - oils in basil repel thrips, flies, mosquitoes Bee Balm –attracts bees Borage – a real workhorse-- repels tomato hornworms, cabbage worms Plus attracts beneficial bees and wasps.
Catnip –repels everything, except cats! Keeps away flea beetles, aphids, Japanese beetles, squash bugs, ants, weevils. Chives –repel Japanese beetles, carrot rust flies. Dahlias- repel nematodes—Plus their blooms add bold color
Dill -tomato hornworms are attracted to dill (see photo at right). Plant it at a distance from tomatoes to draw the destructive insects over. Dill repels aphids spider mites. Foliage is food for swallowtail butterfly caterpillars.
Artimesia repels insects with its strong aroma.
Four O’clock- favorite food of Japanese beetles-- because of its poisonous foliage they die
Garlic –plant near roses to repel aphids--deters codling moths, Japanese beetles, root maggots, snails, carrot root fly
Hyssop – Hyssop great for attracting honeybees. Lavender- favorite of beneficial insects --- repels fleas, moths
Marigolds –French marigolds repel whiteflies -- kill bad nematodes. Must be scented to work as a repellant
Nasturtiums –ward off wooly aphids, whiteflies, squash bugs, cucumber beetles
Petunias – repel asparagus beetles, leafhoppers aphids, tomato worms, Sunflowers - use to draw aphids away from other plants Chrysanthemums –insecticide made from chrysanthemums called pyrethrum. This all-natural pesticide can help control things like roaches, ticks, silverfish, lice, fleas,
Using plants for pest control cuts down on your work and reduces the number of insecticides used in your garden. Fewer insecticides mean there are more good bugs. (Note Remember insecticides kill all the insects in the garden)
Find out out what works best for you.
My house is filled with insects that help me with my taxes. I guess they’re account ants.
Got Questions? Call The Home-Landscaping-Garden Help Line and Master Gardeners will answer your questions every Tuesday. May 18 to Sept 28. Hours 9:00-Noon and 1-4:00pm call 317-745-9260 (Hendricks County Extension)
A Bark From the Past: Henry
[Editor’s Note: The Republican’s first four-footed correspondent was Henry. A mixed breed rescue dog, Henry would make observations about being a dog in a small town. The articles, which ran in 2006 - 2010, have been languishing in the computer’s memory and we thought a new audience might enjoy some canine commentary.]
Woof! Do I have some good news for you this week! I have a new gal-pal and she’s a doll! Her name is Geraldine. She’s a little small for her breed, and she’s a beautiful fawn color.
When she came to stay with us last week, she was in bad shape. My humans found her as a stray. She had been dumped or abused or neglected. She was super skinny and had some open sores that looked awful.
My humans took her to see Dr. Howard. He said that she didn’t have heartworm, but she did have a kind of mange that we can’t catch. (Woof! Lucky!) She will have to be treated for it for a very long time. He said the sores were probably from scratching the mange spots. So, she’s staying with us while my humans treat her until she gets better.
Geraldine, the sweetest, gentlest dog I have ever met, is an American Staffordshire terrier. That’s a lot to write, and I had to work hard to spell it right, so I’m just going to say AmStaff.
The AmStaff is the dog that most humans call a pit bull. For some reason, people are usually afraid of AmStaffs. They do look big and strong. Some people say they look fierce. And some people say that nobody should have an AmStaff because they are too dangerous.
That’s all a bunch of kitty litter! There isn’t any dog that is born mean. AmStaffs only become pit bulls when a bad human makes them that way. My humans were talking about a story on the radio. It was about a man in Pay-O- Lee who was arrested for raising pit bulls for fighting. That’s what ought to happen.
Anybody, animal or human, would get mean if they were starved, teased, and beaten every day. That’s just the way it is. Remember a couple of years ago when I wrote about human courts being like a dog show and the judge sent poor specimens to HCJ spa for some improvement? I found out that I was wrong. HCJ is not a spa. It is a pen for humans who are dangerous to other humans. How do you think the humans that are in HCJ got there? I bet they were not treated well when they were pups. (Has anyone thought of neutering those humans before they are let loose? It would calm them down for sure.)
Geraldine is an amazing, loving dog. She isn’t a pit bull. She’s an AmStaff. There’s a big difference.
Thought for the Day: There are several states pursuing species specific legislation prohibiting possession of pit bulls. American Staffordshire terriers should not all be judged on the behavior of a few. If that is right, then all humans should be in prison, too.
Our Readers Write
Everyone is Progressive
I think that a lot of people have formulated a lot of thoughts and perspectives, opinions and insights in the past year, having survived more than a year of a global pandemic and arguably one of the most contentious elections we living Americans have endured. One perspective, insight and opinion I have gained is that everyone is progressive. Regardless of which political party you support, the fact is that everyone is progressive.
I was born in the 1960s. So, during the first 20+ years of my life, domestic abusers, aka “wife beaters,” were rarely arrested. Finally in 1984, the U.S. Attorney General recommended arrest as the standard police response to domestic violence. It took another ten years for Congress to pass the Violence Against Women Act.
Also, for the first 20+ years of my life, drunk drivers with multiple convictions continued to drive and often killed innocent victims. It took grieving mothers mourning their dead children, killed by drunk drivers, to organize Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and launch a public awareness campaign that led to lowering the legal Blood Alcohol Content level and more appropriate consequences for repeat offenders. Unless one is perversely obtuse, everyone should agree that the progression of domestic abusers and drunk drivers suffering harsher penalties is beneficial for society and the preservation of life, freedom and the pursuit of happiness for their victims. It is simple human decency and dignity. And for all of us who are over the age of about 40, we have watched this progression occur.
In the 1990s, insurance companies had to be forced, through new laws, to pay for longer hospital stays for new mothers who had delivered via Caesarean Section. These new moms were regularly incurring infections as a result of being booted from the hospital too soon after delivery because insurance wouldn’t cover the cost of the additional days. New laws now need to be passed requiring insurance companies to start paying for more mental health care, including addictions. Since the decommissioning of mental health facilities in the 1990s, America’s streets have been full of people suffering from mental health disorders while CEOs of health insurance companies have salary and bonus packages worth millions of dollars from profits partially generated from refusing to care for the mentally ill. We have also come to realize, especially as a result of the pandemic and the economic strain that ensued, how much the average American needs their insurance to cover mental health care services such as counseling and addictions.
I hope that you are recognizing that if you have never considered yourself progressive that you really are. No one political party can claim the term “progressive.”
Finally, embracing that America was built on racism and finally devoting time and resources to implement methods and systems to finally dismantle racist systems is a progression that desperately needs to occur. Perhaps if Derek Chauvin had had proper mental health care paid for by his insurance company, George Floyd’s life could have been spared. Of course, he also would have needed to work for a governmental entity that didn’t allow “bad cops” to continue to be “bad cops.” It took an angry and arrogant man killing a defenseless Black man for governmental representatives across this country to start instituting new laws which finally allow police departments to remove bad cops and be able to report a bad cop’s abusive patterns so they don’t hop from one department to another.
This is only the tip of the iceberg. I hope you agree that we are all progressive. Consider that in Jesus’ day, crucifixions were a legal form of capital punishment. We’ve come a long way. Thankfully. But we have a longer way to go to recognize the humanity, dignity and worthiness of literally every human being on this earth.
Amy Comer Elliott Danville
Kin Hubbard
ALLEN’S CORNER ON THE MUSIC SCENE
By Allen Kiger
Vince Neil on the Free Stage
Were you as excited as myself and hundreds of thousands of people when the concert announcement was made in 2019 that Motley Crue was going to headline the biggest, most expensive concert tour of all time? Yet you’re still waiting for that concert that has now been rescheduled until 2022. Seeing Vince Neil, front man and lead singer of Motley Crue, on the Indiana State Fair Free Stage Friday evening was as close as we are getting until next year.
Vince did not disappoint. He hit the stage with full power. The band started off the set with “Dr. Feelgood” and continued to play many hits in Motley Crue’s extensive collection of hard rock classics including “Girls Girls Girls,” “Smokin’ in the Boys Room,” “Wild Side,” and “Kickstart My Heart” before Vince sang Motley Crue’s signature ballad, “Home Sweet Home.” He told the audience of a trip he had recently taken on an aircraft carrier where the admiral told him that they play “Home Sweet Home” each time the ship arrives back in port. Vince who was almost in tears telling the story, just gave the song even more meaning.
What a great night the fans were treated to. I watched the crowd and listened to everyone sing along to every song including my friends that accompanied me to the concert.
You know that Vince must just love to sing and be gratified by the audience applause and fans knowing all the songs by heart. Why else would such a huge rock musician who is getting ready to embark on the biggest world tour ever, want to perform at a smaller venue. I just know that I was fortunate to get to see a great performance up close!
Until next time…Remember we have a few concerts coming up in Ellis park. The Gun Show August 28th at 7:00 p.m. with Josh Chalfant, Blake Whiteley, and Levi Riggs. This is a fundraiser and all performers are Danville residents. For $20 you can hear great music and support a great cause.
Then, September 11th at 7:00 p.m. Sights N Sounds Promotions Presents Crush, a Bon Jovi Tribute Band, with special guest Snakeskin Cowboy opening up the show. Gates open at 6:00 p.m and the admission is only $10. Be ready for a great night of music. Bring a lawn chair and no coolers allowed.
philanthropy fəˈlanTHrəpē
...the desire to promote the welfare of others, especially by the generous donation of money to good causes.
Liza L. Taylor holds a master’s degree in philanthropy and a graduate certificate in nonprofit management, both from IUPUI. She has taught philanthropy at the university level and provided consulting services to Hoosier nonprofit leaders. She is a member of the Hendricks County Crisis Response Team and on the board of the Hendricks County Trauma Resource Center.
Can Philanthropy Fail?
In 2020, Americans donated over $470 billion to nonprofit organizations (Giving USA). In addition, according to Independent Sector, 63 million Americans volunteer a total of 8 billion hours of their time for an economic value of over $200 billion. All of this activity produces advancements in medicine, provides social services, and promotes the well-being of humankind.
But, can philanthropy fail? If so, in what ways does it fail? Author, Lester M. Salamon, identified four sources of philanthropic failure: insufficiency, particularism, paternalism, and amateurism which are explained below.
Philanthropic insufficiency: nonprofit organizations are not capable of meeting all of society’s needs. Sometimes, this is due to donors not giving enough funds. Sometimes during a recession or as is experienced now, during the pandemic, many donors do not have the resources to give as much as they wish or as they have historically. This inhibits a nonprofit’s ability to meet their goals and provide for their beneficiaries.
Philanthropic particularism: when nonprofits focus on a demographic group based on geography, ethnicity, religion, and/or ideology. On its face, this is not a problem as every philanthropic effort has to choose a mission on which to focus, a group of people to serve, and a region to work within. The trouble with particularism is when it produces either duplication or gaps in service. This results in societal needs going unmet.
Philanthropic paternalism: when nonprofit leaders perceive problems as they see them instead of how clients perceive them. A great example of this came from a former student of mine from Africa. His country is challenged with food insufficiency. At great expense, a generous, good-intentioned American donor shipped farming equipment and implements to Africa so that they could grow their own food. A very noble plan. But, the soil in this part of Africa was too clay-like for the equipment to turn the soil. The equipment now sits dormant in a barn because it does not work there. The donor did not work closely enough with the beneficiary to determine together what would be needed to truly meet their current needs.
Philanthropic amateurism: when nonprofits rely on less credentialed workers than are necessary to perform the necessary tasks. This is a very common problem for nonprofits, often due to budget constraints. Amateurism can lead to decreased program outcomes and fewer people served by the nonprofit’s mission.
Another area of failure that all organizations are susceptible to is ethical or moral failure. This is especially egregious in nonprofits because they, as receiving monetary donations, are designed to uphold the public trust. When failure happens is this regard, the media plays a crucial role to alert people to the transgression. In addition, nonprofits have watchdog groups that monitor the nonprofits. Some of the more commonly known include CharityNavigator.org, GuideStar.org, and the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance: Give. org. It is wise for donors to investigate the organizations they partner with.
Philanthropy is most often celebrated for its incredible achievements. But, failure can and does happen.
Ways you can alleviate philanthropic failure: Insufficiency: give financial resources Particularism: look for and support underserved groups Paternalism: develop strong communications to work with those you serve Amateurism: donate your expertise.
