December 13, 2013

Celebrate the New Year with a First Day Hike on Jan. 1

Usher in the New Year with other outdoor lovers at one of the many First Day Hikes, and one First Day Horse Ride, offered Jan. 1 at Indiana's state parks and reservoirs.

First Day Hikes are a healthy way to start 2014 and a chance to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and connect with friends. The family-friendly, guided hikes are organized by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with America's State Parks.

According to America's State Parks, First Day Hikes will be held in all 50 states in 2014. Last year, state parks across the country hosted 22,000 people who hiked a combined 43,911 miles.

"Think of it as the start of a new and healthy lifestyle, for the whole family," said Priscilla Geigis, president of the National Association of State Park Directors.

DNR's Division of State Parks & Reservoirs is hosting 30 First Day events throughout the state, including a trail run/walk at Monroe Lake, and a First Day Horse Ride at Tippecanoe River State Park.

Information on First Day events in Indiana is at http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/files/sp-first_day_hikes.pdf.

Putting On The Feedbag

As this runs, the rut in the north is, for the most part, finished, but things are still “happening” in the south. For whitetails, this time of year is all about perpetuation of the species and putting on enough weight and fat to survive the winter. Even though bucks cut their food intake for a period surrounding the peak of breeding, does continue “putting on the feed bag” throughout the fall months and into early

Big Game, Deer, Land Management

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