The IN DNR is leasing OUR public land, 300 prime acres in Parke county for hunting.

Going rate is $1200 for 3 days (minimum length) including use of the "lodge"

This information is publicly available or has been confirmed with IN DNR officials.

This is just not right!

Not it isn't right at all, how can they get away with this? Let alone justify it?

Phil Bloom, if you're watching can you please provide a response on behalf of the IDNR.

They can "get away" with it because they are "renting out" one of the "lodge". Just like they do at all the state parks. This one just happens to have hunting ground that goes with it……..What do you want to bet that someone within the DNR or some high up public official has it rented out for the gun season…. I remember seeing this last year.

If this is public land what would keep other hunters off the land? It wouldn't bother me if it is the lodge but if it is "public" I don't see how anyone could be asked to stay off the property.

Exactly if I were to go hunt it while the cabin was rented by someone else what would happen?

Exactly .... This is no "LEASE"!!!
You are renting a cabin and land goes with this....

Anyone can rent this if they have a reservation !!

BTW ..... A lot folks rent this and ride the horse trials they have there!!!

you are only allowed to hunt there if you "Rent" the entire property. Public is NOT allowed to hunt here otherwise.

This is a short term hunting lease, paying for access for hunting access and use of the facilities.

Call it what you want, this is however just semantics on the part of the DNR.

Lots of folks rent campsites and ride horse in out state forests too, they don't rent out exclusive hunting and horse riding access for this though. Big difference.

The public can reserve it here. Gun season is "not available"

details:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/7422.htm

Reservation info:
http://indianastateparks.reserveame...11/06/2014&contractCode=IN&parkId=571000

"Fully furnished and equipped 3-bedroom, 2.5 bath, newly updated lodge with all appliances and three levels of living. Bedding, linens and some basic paper goods are provided. Access to 1-acre fishing pond, 6 horse stables and 4.5 miles of woodland trails. No more than 6 horses allowed. Overnight indoor stalls are available at the stable / riding barn. Hitching rail provided at the main lodge. An inventory check list of items in the main lodge must be completed and returned to Turkey Run Inn within 24 hours of arrival."

http://indianastateparks.reserveame...teId=12901&contractCode=IN&parkId=571000

•Amenities http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/7422.htm#tabs-2

Just because the state owns it doesn't mean anyone can use it...

Honestly, I kind of like the idea...it is only 300 acres that is barely enough for 4-6 people to hunt safely. Unless you guys hunt with one stand every 50 yards....Given the fact the facility is mainly used as a place to trail ride it seems like a good use of resources.

At least this ground has a use...what about the ground INDot purchased during the I-69 process to replace woodlots and wetlands...there is NO access to that but the state owns it.

Buster posted this back in 2012. His sources were correct and the DNR is in fact now leasing/renting this property out for hunting, horseback riding and recreation.

"Not long ago, the Nature Conservancy purchased the Gelhausen Property, located in Parke County, Indiana. It was roughly 300 acres of pristine old growth hardwood forest along the Sugar Creek corridor. The DNR Divsion of Forestry 'acquired' the property in hopes of operating a horse camp there and creating more public land for all to enjoy. For several years, only privledged persons with close affilations of DNR upper brass were allowed to hunt it. It was NEVER opened to the public, but was managed by DNR (state) funding. I just learned from VERY credible sources that the state has decided to LEASE Covered Bridge State Forest for deer hunting beginning this 2012 hunting season. The entire 300+ acres and the lodge are available for 6 hunters for 7 days at a time at a cost of $1300. Although the attachment does not mention hunting in bold print, I found it under the amentities tab as a listed activity.
Nice to know that our fine folks at the DNR who manage our public lands are NOW LEASING OUR PUBLIC LANDS, and therefore making them unavailable to the rest of us who help funding.

http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/7422.htm"

link:
http://hunt-indiana.com/thread/43741

Chevy.... You should call and talk to the folks in charge there.... There is more to the story than what you have posted!!

At one point only certain people had a "key" that has now changed..... The field was leveled for all!!!

BTW..... This is nothing more then "more opportunity" like it or not!!

$200 per person for 3 days of vacation. I'd do it. Got 5 more? I am not sharing a bed and I call dibs on the Master bedroom!

"Not long ago, the Nature Conservancy purchased the Gelhausen Property, located in Parke County, Indiana. It was roughly 300 acres of pristine old growth hardwood forest along the Sugar Creek corridor."

Read the above folks........... it IS NOT public land!

the Indiana DNR said in a press release, " The property was acquired by the DNR Division of Forestry in 2009."

http://www.in.gov/activecalendar_dn...Details&information_id=11628&print=print

Think that is the property I walked last month. Awesome cliffs and rock formations. I got the impression that it had been hunted plenty. More turkey sign than deer. Not many Forest areas I hunt have hemlocks and cliffs. It's a nice acquisition by the DNR.


Back to the original post: Seems like the area was called the "Covered Bridge State Park" in the beginning but now I see it referred to as the "Covered Bridge F&W Area". Did the property change divisions, designation?

I`ve heard of this place before. never realized where in Parke county it was located.
Ends up only 1.5 miles north of me. I've seen hundreds of deer in the fields to the east of that place.

"Covered Bridge F&W Area".....where are you seeing that....

I am not aware of it ever being called either of these.

It was Country Haven (privately owned) then sold to the Nature Conservancy and the acquired by the IN DNR Forestry division.

Now it is called the Covered Bridge State Forest Retreat and is managed by the IN DNR Forestry Division.

Great great area, I hunt in an adjacent property. I have taken several nice bucks over the years. Basecamp leases a lot of ground out there too