The report shows that field trials, while a legitimate use of public lands, at some state fish and wildlife areas are interfering with the purposes for which the lands were acquired. The Service concluded that some field trials, particularly those that are conducted on horseback over large areas for an extended time, can disrupt hunting on the properties, damage wildlife habitat, and direct staff time away from managing the areas for their primary purpose: the benefit of fish and wildlife. The Service, a Federal agency, conducted the study because these lands were purchased, developed or managed with Federal grant funds through the Services Federal Aid in Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration programs.
"The Service recognizes the popularity of field trials and the high interest among field trial participants in pursuing their sport on public lands," said Bill Hartwig, director of the Service s Great Lake-Big Rivers region. "However, the Service has a responsibility to ensure that these lands purchased with Federal Aid funds are managed for the benefit of wildlife resources."
Horseback field trials are competitions in which hunting dogs locate pen-reared game birds in the field, with handlers, judges and spectators following along on horses. These events can require large areas of land and extensive work to prepare and maintain courses and trails. They may last from a few days to two weeks. Winamac in northern Indiana and Glendale in southern Indiana are the two state fish and wildlife areas where horseback field trials are most commonly held. Other types of field trials take place at Tri-County and Pigeon River state fish and wildlife areas in northern Indiana.
Of particular concern were horseback field trials at Glendale, where heavy trail use by horses leads to soil erosion and runoff into 1,400-acre Dogwood Lake, a popular fishing spot. Turbidity, sedimentation, and siltation in the lake degrades aquatic habitat.
The report also concluded that some field trial participants received preferential treatment through exclusive use of clubhouse facilities, horse barns, and bird pens. Construction of these facilities on land purchased, developed or managed with federal grant funds was not in compliance with grant rules and regulations, the report found.
Corrective actions outlined by the Service in its report include discontinuing field trials on state fish and wildlife areas when they interfere with legal hunting seasons, legal fishing seasons, and other accepted wildlife-related uses. Field trials must also be discontinued when they are primarily commercial in nature, disrupt breeding and nesting activity, or damage wildlife habitat. In addition, facilities constructed for the exclusive use of field trial participants are to be converted to uses that support fish and wildlife management on the area.
The Service did not recommend discontinuing all field trials. Many smaller trials require less area and are not intended as commercial events, do not interfere with hunting and fishing, and do not result in damage to habitat. The Service report concluded that in the future all proposed field trial activity will be reviewed for compliance with federal grant rules and regulations.
"Small field trials, in which people bring their dogs to prepare for hunting seasons, and those that are not commercial in nature, are not as likely to affect fish and wildlife resources or availability of these areas to hunters and anglers," Hartwig said.
The Service review of field trials on state properties in Indiana was mandated by an independent audit which examined all aspects of the states activities under the Federal Aid program. The audit was conducted by the Defense Contract Audit Agency in 1997 and 1998. As a result of the audit, the Service was required to develop a Corrective Action Plan for the Interior Departments Office of the Inspector General. The Service agreed to conduct a thorough review of field trial activity on state fish and wildlife areas purchased, managed, or developed using Federal Aid grant funds.
The U.S. Congress, in its passage of the of the Federal Aid Improvement Act of 2000 provided guidance regarding field trials that was followed during preparation of the Indiana Corrective Action Plan. To address the Congressional concerns on a national basis, the Service has developed interim guidelines. "The Corrective Action Plan is an example of a state plan that is very responsive to the interim field trial guidelines and the language on field trials contained in the report from the U.S. Senate," said Hartwig.
In accordance with these guidelines, the IDNR is implementing the Corrective Action Plan defined in the Indiana field trial report.
"Indianas wildlife biologists agree with the Services findings. We see an immediate need for modifying field trial activities on our fish and wildlife areas to better protect our wildlife resources," said Gary Doxtater, director of the IDNRs Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Because state properties were purchased, developed, or are managed by the state using federal money, the state must comply with federal regulations and laws governing management and recreational use at these sites. Implementation of corrective actions will ensure that Indiana continues to receive annual apportionments from the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration and Sport Fish Restoration programs, which in recent years have ranged from $5.3 million to $6.8 million annually.
Federal Aid funds for the Wildlife Restoration program are generated from excise taxes on sport hunting equipment including guns, ammunition, and archery gear . Federal Aid funds from the Sport Fish Restoration program are generated from excise taxes on fishing equipment and a sales tax on motor boat fuel. Revenues are then distributed each year by the Service through grants to state wildlife agencies for approved wildlife and sport fish restoration projects. Apportionments to states are based on the states land area and number of licensed hunters and anglers. Funds are generally used by states to purchase land for fish and wildlife management, to fund research programs, and for specific fish and wildlife restoration efforts.
The complete report and other information may be viewed on the Services Region 3 website at: http://midwest.fws.gov/audit/
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 94-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 535 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 70 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov
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