Mission Statement
Mission
Our mission is to professionally manage Indiana's fish and wildlife for present and future generations, balancing ecological, recreational, and economic benefits.
Statute
Indiana statute defines the authority and responsibilities of the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife:
The [Division of Fish and Wildlife] shall . . . provide for the protection, reproduction, care, management, survival and regulation of wild animal populations regardless of whether the wild animals are present on public or private property . . . [and) Organize and pursue a program of research and management of wild animals that will serve the best interests of the resources and the people of Indiana.
(Indiana CodeTitle 14, Article 22, Chapter 2, Section 3)
Values
- Fish and wildlife resources belong to all the people of Indiana.
- Regulated hunting, fishing and trapping are important wildlife management tools.
- Professional management is essential to the long-term welfare of fish and wildlife resources.
- Fish and wildlife resources enrich the quality of human life.
- Fish and wildlife resources are renewable and when wisely managed, will indefinitely provide numerous public benefits such as hunting, fishing, trapping and wildlife viewing.
- Stewardship of fish and wildlife resources is a shared responsibility between resource managers and the citizens of Indiana.
- Public participation is essential for effective resource management.
- Regulated hunting, fishing and trapping are legitimate pursuits when conducted in fair chase.
- Hunting, fishing, trapping and wildlife conservation are vital parts of our heritage.
Targets
- The mission and values of the Division of Fish and Wildlife provide a foundation for the following targets:
- Protect aquatic and terrestrial habitat for all wildlife species through initiatives such as land acquisition, conservation easements, reserve programs (2002 Farm Bill), partnerships, improved land use and educational strategies.
- Establish a computerized point of sale sport licensing system.
- Utilize proactive marketing strategies to increase the sale of hunting, fishing and trapping licenses, and to communicate and educate the public on the importance of fish and wildlife management and conservation programs.
- Increase the capabilities of the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program commensurate with new federal funding opportunities.
- Develop solid, landscape-level biological information and utilize that information to communicate the importance of active management for all wildlife species.
- Improve opportunities for the hunting, fishing and trapping public to enjoy their traditional pursuits.
- Establish protocols to address invasive species and wildlife disease issues.
Participation / Economics / Funding
According to the 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, 874,000 anglers, 290,000 hunters and 1.7 million wildlife watchers spend $1.5 billion annually to participate in these wildlife-related activities in Indiana. Funding for the Division of Fish and Wildlife is derived through license sales, donations to the non-game tax checkoff and federal reimbursement through the Sportfish and Wildlife Restoration and State Wildlife Grant programs.
Accomplishments
- The 2,500-acre Blue Grass Fish and Wildlife area near Evansville, was opened to the public.
- Riverwatch, a volunteer water quality monitoring program, was added to the division's aquatic education program.
- Extensive fisheries surveys were completed at Lake James and Lake Wawasee.
- The first comprehensive fisheries survey and analysis across the full length of the 466-mile long Wabash River was completed.
- Shooting ranges were upgraded at Pigeon River, Winamac, Tri-County, and Atterbury Fish and Wildlife areas. A state-of-the-art shooting range was opened in northwestern Indiana at Kingsbury FWA.
- Fish and Wildlife and the Board of Animal Health, tested more than 3,000 deer for chronic wasting disease during the 2002 hunting season.
- Fish and wildlife biologists, working with private land owners, enrolled 2,500 acres in the wildlife habitat improvement program, 78,000 acres in the classified wildlife habitat program, and 1,500 acres in the wildlife habitat cost-share program.
- Public access crews constructed and upgraded 58 access sites, including a major ramp at Patoka Reservoir, and new Chustak fishing area in Porter Co.
- The Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program was initiated. The program provides access to $800,000 in Federal funds for Hoosier wildlife species most in need of conservation.
- West Fork White River restoration efforts continued with surveys and stocking to facilitate the recovery of the fishery after the 1999 fish kill.
