April 25, 2012
04/26/12 Indiana Conservation Officers cited a Chicago man for illegally taking a wild turkey by the aid of bait on the opening morning of Indiana’s spring wild turkey season. Indiana Conservation Officers Keith Wildeman and Major Terry Hyndman were on foot patrol in Starke County on property that was known to be baited. As the officers approached the baited area, they heard a shotgun blast a short distance away. They made contact with the property owner Aaron W. Longenecker, 64 of Chicago who was retrieving a dead wild turkey. The turkey was laying near a feeder containing cracked corn. The area around the feeder showed fresh signs of turkey activity and was located less than 50 yards from Longnecker’s hunting blind. He admitted to shooting the turkey as well as placing the feeder on his property. Longenecker was issued a summons for illegally taking a wild turkey by the aid of bait. His Browning 12 gauge shotgun and the turkey were seized as evidence. Upon conviction for the Class C Misdemeanor, he faces a fine of $500 for the replacement cost of the illegally taken turkey paid to the DNR in addition to any court costs and fines.
Indiana Conservation Officers remind the public to report illegal hunting activity to the Turn-In-A-Poacher Hotline. 1-800-TIP-IDNR.