BEDFORD—As summer transitions to fall, visitors to the Hoosier National Forest can expect cooler nights, shorter days, and lower humidity. The trees’ chlorophyll production will start to drop, and the green will fade from the leaves and turn gold, red, orange, and brown before falling. As forest staff prepares for the inevitable surge in visitors, both newcomers to the forest and veteran nature lovers alike should remember to take certain precautions and safety measures when visiting during this dry part of the year.
“During this time of year, the drier air and vegetation makes for potential fuel for wildfires,” said Hoosier National Forest trails manager Luke Haworth. “That’s why most of the counties where our forest is located have instituted a burn ban for large campfires, debris burns and burn barrels. Small campfires in established Forest Service fire rings are still allowed, but campers should be aware of the dry conditions that can be exacerbated by the lack of rainfall.”
In addition to maintaining increased fire awareness, campers in the forest should continue to take all usual precautions when having a campfire in the forest.
“Keep plenty of water handy and have a shovel nearby to put out the fire,” said Haworth. “Never leave a campfire unattended and all flammable material such as leaves should be ten feet from the fire area to keep away from sparks. Drown the fire with water when extinguishing and make sure all embers, coals, and sticks are wet.”
For a current list of Indiana counties that have instituted a burn ban, go to https://www.in.gov/dhs/burnban/.
Forest visitors are also encouraged to be wary of increased yellowjacket activity as the insects’ population is at its highest in the fall before the winter freeze comes and kills most of the population.
As the hot and humid days subside, many hunters are gearing up for hunting season in Indiana. Hunting is allowed in the Hoosier National Forest, so long as you are not hunting in Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest and other developed recreation sites and are following the rules set by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. All forest visitors in areas where hunting is permitted should utilize safety measures.
“Visitors to the forest should not assume hunters will hear you coming even if you’re riding a horse or mountain bike, said Haworth. “Blaze orange colored clothing is recommended for forest visitors during all major firearm seasons and mandated for all hunters as all state guidelines for hunting must be followed on the Hoosier National Forest. Outer clothing is easily seen, such as a hat, coat, or vest, is best. Avoid wearing white clothing as it may be mistaken for a deer’s tail.”
A list of hunting season dates can be found here: https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/files/fw-hunting_trapping_seasons.pdf. A guide to hunting and trapping in Indiana can be found here: https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/hunting-and-trapping/hunting-trapping-guide/.
In addition to precautions that should be taken due to the drier weather, a list of frequently asked questions at this time of year can be found below.
Can I disperse camp/where can I disperse camp?
o Yes. They offer designated roadside campsites and backpacking opportunities where you can set up a campsite off of a trail. You can find maps of these designated dispersed camping sites, as well as the rules regarding dispersed camping, on our webpage.
Can I make a reservation for your campground?
o They cannot make reservations for camping at our developed campgrounds at Forest Service offices. To make a reservation, please visit recreation.gov and search Hoosier National Forest in the search bar, or call recreation.gov @ 877-444-6777 to make a reservation over the phone.
Do you sell America the Beautiful passes at your office?
Yes, they do. It’s recommended that you call our office ahead of your visit to make sure they are open when you want to visit. If you are planning to get a military or access pass, extra paperwork may be required, so please call ahead to ensure you have everything you need.
Is the Peninsula Trail still closed?
o Yes. Following the heavy straight-line winds we experienced on June 25, many trails throughout the forest, especially around the Deam Wilderness, were heavily damaged. Wilderness policy mandates careful analysis of management actions in congressionally designated wilderness areas to ensure the qualities of wilderness character are upheld. While the Forest Service conducts this analysis, a closure of the Peninsula Trail will remain in effect. Trails in the Deam Wilderness cannot be cleared using chainsaws, but our recreation team is working hard to clear trails using hand saws and axes. They will post updates on our website and Facebook page when trails are cleared and open to the public.
Photo: Hoosier National Forest visitor at Campsite #9 in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness. (USDA Forest Service photo by Quentin Melson)
