The deer firearms license allows one deer to be taken with that license, and it must be a buck. If you want to take a doe with a firearm during the firearms season, a bonus antlerless license, resident youth combo hunt/trap license, deer license bundle, or lifetime license is required.

The doe counts toward that county’s bonus antlerless bag limit for resident youth, lifetime, and bundle license holders. Some DNR properties have restrictions on bonus antlerless deer that can be taken.

Buy your deer hunting license now

You can purchase your license online, at a retailer, or over the phone/in-person through our Customer Service Center (317-232-4200) during normal business hours.

Resident youth must purchase a youth hunt/trap combo license, which includes deer hunting privileges. If you buy your license online, do you know your username (email address) and password? Has your email changed recently? Log in now to make sure you have the correct information. If you aren’t sure, click on the appropriate links to find your username or reset your password, or call 317-232-4200 during normal business hours for assistance.

An online account can be used to purchase licenses only for the person whose name and customer ID is on the account, with the exception of youth hunting and trapping licenses that may be purchased through an adult’s account. If you get your license at a retailer, buy early to avoid long lines. A list of license retailers can be found online. Be sure to check your license for accuracy before you leave the store.

Check-in your deer, wild turkey, or river otter

The Indiana CheckIN Game system allows hunters and trappers to check in their harvested game from any device connected to the internet. You will receive a confirmation number that must be written down on a temporary transportation tag for the harvested game species (turkey, deer, and/or river otter).

Be sure to check your information to ensure accuracy before submitting the check-in. Deer and wild turkey must be checked in within 48 hours of harvest, and river otters must be checked in within 24 hours. Have your customer ID (CID) and harvest information ready. 

Do not re-enter the correct information if you have entered incorrect information into the CheckIN Game system; each submission is considered a harvested animal. Email your confirmation number, name, and changes that need to be made to INhuntfish@dnr.IN.gov.

To view all game that was previously checked in with the CheckIN Game system, you will need to set up an account through our online system. You can purchase licenses, check in game, complete your HIP registration, and make a donation through your account. 

Hunters still have the option of visiting traditional check stations where a confirmation number will be provided to hunters to place on their temporary transportation tag. There is also a phone-in option at 1-800-419-1326 for a $3 fee (Visa or Mastercard only).

INDOT contractor E&B Paving Inc. will conduct two traffic switches later this week on I-65 in Jackson and Bartholomew Counties as part of the $143 million reconstructions and added travel lanes project that began last year.

The switches will be the first step toward moving traffic into the project’s winter shutdown configuration.

On Friday night (Nov. 15), southbound traffic will be shifted back to the southbound side of I-65 from just south of S.R. 11 to Seymour (MM 53.8 to MM 50).

On Saturday night (Nov. 16), northbound traffic will be shifted back to the northbound side of I-65 from just north of S.R. 11 to the south of S.R. 58 (MM 56 to MM 61.2).

Following both switches, traffic will travel in its respective lanes through the entire length of the project (MM 50 to MM 64).

Although any planned work during the winter months is not expected to impact traffic, motorists should continue to adhere to the 55 mph speed restriction and use extra caution in the construction zone.

All trucks should continue to use the left lane for travel. The project is expected to be completed in 2020. All work is weather permitting.

The Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District is sponsoring a free Beginning Farmer Breakfast on Saturday, December 7, 2019, for beginning farmers and new landowners.

This event co-sponsored by Purdue Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, and Washington Co. Farm Bureau Inc. will provide attendees with information about the programs and services that each of these organizations has to offer as well as opportunities and agricultural updates for beginning farmers.

Breakfast and registration begin at 7:30 AM on Saturday, December 7 at the Washington Co. Government Building Meeting Room (806 Martinsburg Rd., Salem).

Participants are asked to RSVP to the Washington County SWCD by Wednesday, December 4 at 812-883-3704, ext. 3 or by email to jill.roll@in.nacdnet.net.

The two newest attractions at French Lick Resort are just days away from opening their doors to guests.

Reservation dates are open starting Friday for the new Valley Tower, a 71-room hotel includes larger suites and adjoining rooms, while the Valley Bar will bring a new type of informal setting to share drinks with friends or grab a bite to eat.

Both are part of a $17 million addition to French Lick Resort.

The new guestrooms and bar will cover more than 50,000 new square feet at French Lick Resort, and they are also expected to bring more than 100 new jobs to the resort as well.

The Valley Tower is located adjacent to the resort’s Event Center and French Lick Casino.

The Valley Tower, a 71-room hotel, and the Valley Bar are both set to officially open on Friday, November 15. Media guests are invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony from 2 to 4 p.m. that day at the Valley Tower, located adjacent to the resort’s Event Center and French Lick Casino. Guests will be able to take a tour of the Valley Tower and Valley Bar facilities, as well as the two other additions at French Lick Resort that have been completed within the past year: the new sportsbook and sports viewing area at French Lick Casino, and the refurbished Exhibition Hall.

Valley Tower and Valley Bar are both part of a $17 million addition geared toward providing resort guests more variety and options during their stay.

In the six-story Valley Tower, guestrooms will feature connecting room options for a new level of flexibility. It will also include 12 suites configurable in one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom combinations for a spacious stay. ADA-accessible rooms and pet-friendly rooms will also be available. Adorned with modern décor, Valley Tower rooms will also provide a new look and a complementary option to guestrooms at the resort’s historic French Lick and West Baden Springs Hotels. 

The additional rooms will supplement the existing 686 guestrooms at French Lick Resort’s two historic hotels (443 at French Lick Springs Hotel and 243 at West Baden Springs Hotel) and bring the resort’s overall capacity to 757 rooms.

Valley Bar, located just off the Valley Tower lobby, will be the resort’s only 21-and-over eating establishment with a menu featuring light fare including appetizers, sliders, wings and hearty soups. From the drink menu, guests can choose from nearly 20 regional craft beers, along with domestic brews, signature and traditional cocktails, and a selection of wines. Rustic décor and plenty of big-screen TVs will also make this a cozy new spot to meet up with friends during the day and after hours. Two event rooms will also be available for larger groups to rent.

Already the largest employer in Orange County with 1,700 associates, French Lick Resort is adding approximately 100 new jobs to expand its workforce for the resort additions. The sports bar and new guestrooms are the latest major capital investment the resort has made over the past 12 years, following the opening of French Lick Casino in 2006; the adjacent Event Center that underwent a $20 million expansion in 2015; and the nearby Exhibition Hall that recently underwent an extensive renovation. 

Construction on the Valley Tower and Valley Bar was contracted to Krempp Construction, Inc., a Jasper, Ind.-based company that was also highly involved in the historic restorations at French Lick and West Baden Springs Hotels in the mid-2000s

On November 12, 2019, Deputy Johnney Coomer with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop in Scottsburg. 

An investigation led to the arrest of Carla Guilmette, 46, of Scottsburg for Driving While Suspended Prior. 

On November 12, 2019, Deputies John Hartman and Johnney Coomer and Reserve Deputies Tim Hall and James Siler went to an address on Melody Street in rural Scott County in an attempt to serve an outstanding arrest warrant. 

Upon arrival Kimberly Bishop, 45, of Scottsburg was arrested on an outstanding warrant through Marion County Indiana. 

On November 8, 2019, Deputy Keith Hartman with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of theft on Alsup Road in rural Scott County. 

After speaking with the victim, Deputy Hartman began patrolling the area.  Shortly thereafter he located a vehicle sitting at a residence that was described as a possible suspect vehicle. 

While continuing the investigation Deputy Hartman discovered a male in possession of a stolen article that had just been reported. 

This led to the arrest of Jimmy Gay, 48, of Lexington, for Theft with a Prior Unrelated Conviction. 

Deputy Hartman continued investigating which led him to locate numerous other items that had been reported as stolen.

During his investigation, Deputy Hartman working with Washington County Deputies applied for a search warrant.

The search warrant was granted and executed in the evening hours of November 9, 2019, at a residence which was located in Washington County, (close to the Scott County line).

As a result of the search warrant, additional stolen items were located and additional charges will be sought.       

Sheriff Jerry Goodin said, “People work hard and when other people steal something that does not belong to them, it makes you angry.”

“Anytime we can recover stolen items and take an alleged thief off the streets it is a good case,” said Goodin, who commended Deputy Hartman and the other deputies involved on their continued dedication to making Scott County the safest county in the mid-west.

Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation on August 13, 2019, after receiving information from the Dugger Town Marshall concerning allegations of physical and sexual battery, as well as strangulation.  

The investigation revealed that  William T. Smith, age 20, of Dugger, IN, on two separate occasions, had allegedly physically and sexually battered and strangled two females under the age of 17. 

These allegations were to have occurred in Sullivan County.

After reviewing the investigation, the Sullivan County Prosecutor, Ann Mischler, asked for a warrant to be issued for Smith’s arrest. A warrant was issued by Sullivan Circuit Court on November 12, 2019. 

Smith turned himself into the investigating detective, Master Trooper Angie Hahn, at the Sullivan County Sheriff’s office and bonded out.  

Arrested and Charges:

William T. Smith, 20, Dugger, IN

• Strangulation (2 counts) Level 6 Felony
• Sexual battery victim compelled to submit by force or imminent threat of force (2 counts) Level 6 Felony 
• Battery resulting in bodily injury (2 counts) Class A Misdemeanor 

Assisting Agencies:  Dugger Town Marshall

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.