October 1, 2025 • 37 mins
The start of archery deer season, updates on what is going on at Indiana state parks this month, plus the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.
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Speaker 1 (00:29):
Well, happy first weekend of October. I love this time
of the year. So many Hoosiers love this time of
the year. So we're gonna have a great show. It
is the Indiana Outdoor Show, and I am your host,
Brian Pointer. Always glad to be with you. But there's
just something about the change in the air. The leaves
are change and the crops are coming out. Hunting seasons
(00:49):
are in full swing. This is the first weekend of
Indiana's archery season for deer, a great tradition for so
many many Hoosiers. I do remind you we've been doing
this the last couple of weeks here that there's a
new license purchase system. Don't wait till you're ready to
head to the field, because it might take a step
or two. More So, just a friendly, curty courtesy reminder
(01:11):
from your friends at Indiana Outdoors. I your host, Brian Pointer,
Great to be with you. Were brought to you by
Indiana Donor Network. I really want to get right into
the show because I've been looking forward to this for
a long time. Our dear friend Jeene Hopkins, who is
the president of the Indiana Sportsman's Roundtable, is also one
(01:32):
of the country's most acclaimed collector of historical archery traditional
archery equipment, and he's amassed over some forty years this
absolute extraordinary collection. So we're going to have him on
the air. He's waiting and Jamison Hibbs back country hunters
(01:53):
and Anglers, he's going to be with us. They always
got some great stuff going on in the fall, and
no better place than parks, and we're going to visit
and find out what they've got on store for one
of the busiest months of the year in October in
Indiana State Park. So with that, we're going to get
right to it. And Gene Hopkins is waiting. It's the
Indiana Outdoor Show. I'm your host, Brian Pointer. Don't go anywhere.
(02:16):
We're gonna be back in just a minute. In what
a beautiful part of the year, my word would have
beaut If you want to experience Indiana at its finest,
(02:38):
come in early October, end of September. What a great
time we've had. It is the Indiana Outdoor Show. I
am your host, Brian Pointer. Of course, we're brought to
you by our good friends at Indiana Donor Network Driven
to Save Lives dot org. Send out to be an
organ or tissue donor when you buy that hunting and
fishing license and as you know, some changes to that
new license purchase system in the state of Indiana and upgrade.
(03:02):
So give yourself some time and while you're there, send
them to be an organ and tissue donor. As we
mentioned at the top of the hour, I always love
it when we can have great people be a part
of this show. That's what this show is all about.
And we have regulars on like our good friend Geene Hopkins.
(03:23):
Traditionally he is the spokesman. He is the president for
the Indiana Sportsman's Roundtable. But the thing I love about
Indiana Outdoors is there's so many other things that people
give their time, talent and treasure, and this is one
of those moments. So Geene, it's great to visit with
you today. It's been a minute since we've been on
the air together. But have you been What have you
(03:44):
been up to.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
I've been doing well, Brian, in your retirement, I should say, yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
As you know, I retired last January, so I'm trying
to make the most of it. I've got a lot
of years that I worked hard to get to this
point and now it's time to reap the reward.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
I don't believe. I don't know what that feels like,
but one of these days maybe right. So, you know,
you and I have been friends for a very, very
long time, and often you wear different hats. Maybe it's
talking about the tip board, the turn into poacher board,
or the sportsman's roundtable when we're keeping track of things
(04:20):
going on in Indiana's legislature and rallying the troops, so
to speak. But one of the things that I don't
believe many people would know is that you're probably one
of the country's greatest collectors of traditional archery equipment. And
this has been going on for years, and you've assembled
quite a historic package. And I know it's very important
(04:41):
to you. You're a tremendous advocate for archery, especially traditional archery,
and I know that's a passion that you carry into
the field with you. But when someone says you collect
traditional archery equipment, what in the world would you tell somebody?
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Well, would I wouldn't tell them? Probably? First of all,
I'm not really a collector of archery equipment. I'm a
caretaker of archery history, and that's the way I prefer
to talk about it, and that's the way I prefer
to think about it, because so many people came before
us over the years, going back to the Thompson Brothers
(05:20):
in eighteen seventy eight writing the book Witchery of Archery,
they actually lived in Crawfordsville, Indiana, which that book got
us into a mindset where you know a lot of
bow and arrow, which basically had been almost forgotten even
among the Native Americans, that the bone arrow could be
(05:41):
used for sport and challenge. And that book, The Witchery
of Archery, is really what got us started. So going forward,
you know, from the Witchery of Archery into the story
of Issue the last Stone Age Indian coming down out
on the mountains in California in nineteen eleven. Through the
years with Saxon Hope and are Young, we all that
(06:01):
history is something that I don't want to be forgotten
and being able to as symbol and share. And that's
another thing. It's not really fun to have this history
if you can't share this history. So I like to
go around and I like to share my collection with
people at bigger shows around the country. But caretaker is
(06:22):
the word I prefer to use instead of collector.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
I like that very much. As a matter of fact,
aren't we caretakers for all of the good things that
have come from the past. But I love that framing
of what you do because I have a lot of
hobbies and things where I would call myself a collector,
But you know what, I think, I'm going to call
myself a caretaker. But we are on the verge of
archery season here in Indiana, and it just gave a
(06:46):
perfect opportunity for open up to have another conversation and
open up the things that are important to you that
I have known about, and I think it's fantastic for
you to share. So you're the caretaker of history, and
you mentioned a lot of historical references. But as you
travel around and you go to these shows and tell
(07:08):
us about the depth of your collection, tell us about
what you have been able to pull together and what
you like to share with people.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
You know. I was very fortunate that I've always been
a history buff. Back in school, history was one of
my favorite subjects, so it was pretty easy for me.
I loved being outdoors. I loved hunting, fishing, and trapping.
I really loved hunting with the bow and arrow, and
put that together with my love for history, just kind
of naturally. About forty forty five years ago, I started assembling.
(07:42):
I had different items of archery history and started small.
But you know, back then, there weren't a lot of
people that were saving archery history. I thought at one
time I might be the only guy around who was
doing this weird thing and collecting saving archery history. So
it was fairly for me to go into an old
(08:02):
archery shop and they might have a drawer full of
old broadheads, they might have some old bows on the wall.
I'd go through old magazines, archery magazines, and I'd look
for names and addresses of people that were shooting in
the thirties and forties and fifties, and i'd call them up.
Back then, we had white pages and we didn't have
the internet email, and so I would look them up.
(08:25):
I would look up their phone number, I'd look up
their address, and i'd go visit them. And in most cases,
almost every case, they were happy that somebody cared. You know,
I didn't know anybody really cared about this stuff anymore.
I'm so happy you're here, you know, And they'd said,
and they'd love to just share stories of their early
days with the ball and arrow. And you know, a
lot of people listening may not know it, but in Indiana,
(08:50):
we didn't get a deer season into nineteen fifty one.
That wasn't that long ago. You know, the first gentleman
to take a bow I would take a deer with
a bow and arrow Indiana. I had bitch guy took
it in Brown County Park. You know, legally we were
able to hunt the park back then. Yeah, and all
(09:10):
that history and the people and the effort they made
to get us an archery season, to get us a
dear season, to restock dear and in the state of Indiana,
and restock turkey in the state of Indiana. There's so
much they did for us that I think honoring them
and keeping their memory alive and keeping their story alive
(09:30):
is something that I really enjoyed doing.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
So I love that. And you just kind of took
me back and I was reminiscing about the white pages,
and you remember you used to call one four one
one and get a telephone. I need a telephone number,
and those old days. That's shoe leather work right there.
But you call yourself a caretaker, and you thought you
(09:53):
might be the only person that was doing this. What
did you find as time went on over these forty years,
were there other people like you?
Speaker 3 (10:00):
You know?
Speaker 2 (10:00):
Yeah? And back then, you know, in the late seventies
through the eighties, I had an archery shop in Columbus,
and through my archery shop, I was able to meet
a lot of people in the business, you know, the
archery industry. And I came across a group of people
who had started a club in nineteen seventy four called
the American Broadhead Collectors Club ABCC, and they were from
(10:23):
all around the country and eventually all around the world,
and they were collectors, savers, custodians, caretakers of archery history.
And so now I've got a network of people. You know,
there may be two hundred people in ABCC at that time.
And I was able to share, and I was able
to trade, and I was able to learn. And so
(10:45):
from there, you know, now you start to see things
like eBay come along, and you start to see the
Internet and you see Facebook and all the Facebook groups
that are out there about archery history. If you go
into Facebook and do a search for archery history or
archery collect or, Broadhead Collecting, there's a lot of groups
out there now of people that are doing this and
(11:05):
are interested in and it's a good way to build
a network. So if you think you're interested in archery history,
collecting old archery memorabilia, learning more about it, there's so
many avenues now to be able to do that.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
How do you pick and choose what goes into your
caretaking collection? Wow? Do you discern if it's something you
should trade for? I hear a lot of things that
I'm processing this in my head. Where you collect enough
mass and you have such a great body of material,
but what's left? Is there still things that you pursue?
Do you still trade?
Speaker 2 (11:39):
You know?
Speaker 3 (11:40):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (11:40):
My collecting again, I've been doing it for forty five years,
so I've kind of specialized myself down to I like
the early stuff, you know, from the eighteen seventies to
the nineteen forties, nineteen fifties. Other people will collect something
maybe you know a good friend of mine up in Michigan,
he specializes in Fred bher anything fred Bear related. You
(12:02):
know other people I know that collect things that are
related to the state they live in. Other people collect
just old broadheads or old bear bows, bear archery bows,
or old browning bows. So you get into it and
you'll find yourself maybe I'm just kind of shotgunning it
(12:23):
and just picking up what I can when I can,
And then you'll find yourself mature or evolving to a
point where you know, this interests me more than that,
and then you'll start to concentrate and focus on that
one area that you're most interested in. But most people do.
Most people just start saving, collecting anything and everything until
(12:45):
they find out what it is. It really trips the trigger.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Are you pursuing other things? Do you find that you
come across gems that you had no idea?
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Still to this day, I have found some of the
best history over the last five years that I've ever found.
And you know, a lot of That's another thing. A
lot of guys say, well, it's too late. You know,
all you guys have gotten everything already. If it was
any good, you've already got it. That's not true. There's
still some really good things out there. And you know,
(13:16):
my grandfather did, or my great grandfather was, and now
it's you know, the great grandson or the grandson has
that stuff now and he doesn't necessarily cherish it like
the son did. Or the person did and he'll sell it.
One of the best broadheads I have ever found was
found just last year over in Park County at the
(13:39):
Covered Bridge Festival at the flea market over there. No way, Yeah,
in a box just last year. Wow, and just broadhead.
It was a four blade barbs a wiki that was
made nineteen thirty nine, and nobody had ever found it.
And it was just you know, it was one of
those unicorns that you'd heard about, but no that he'd
(14:00):
ever found it, so maybe they didn't even make them. Well,
sure enough, a good friend of mine from over there
went to the Park County Covered Bridge Festival flea market
called me up and said, hey, look what I found
And he found one in the bottom of a cardboard box.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
Unbelievable, so unbelievable. As you have made this your passion,
what do you hope to do with this now that
you have, as you said, matured in the short time
we have left. What do you hope to do as
you ride out of your retirement and continue to collect
and display and show and teach and share the history.
(14:35):
What's next?
Speaker 2 (14:36):
Well, you know, I hope I've got another twenty or
twenty five or thirty years to do what I'm doing.
I just turned sixty seven, so you know, I still
feel like I'm fourteen oh thirty. Yeah, But at some
point that is the magic question, that's a million dollar question,
is what am I going to do with my collection
of things? You know when that dadas come? And so
(14:58):
I've got some ideas. I want to get it to
a you know, a position where it can be shared
in long term and perpetuity with people. So how can
I do that. I've got some ideas in their work,
I'm working them.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
I know you are. You always are. So there's probably
somebody listening and go, wow, what a neat thing to do.
But where would you steer someone if they said, you know,
I'd really like to go someplace now to see the
best representation of archery history. But the first thing that
comes to mind is is Fred Bhaer, Where would you go?
(15:33):
Where would you direct someone?
Speaker 2 (15:34):
I would I recommend you know, if you want to
take a short weekend vacation and you want to go
to Springfield, Missouri, and you want to go to the
bass Pro complex out there in Springfield and the Wonders
of Wildlife Museum that they have out there, which is spectacular,
but in the Wonders of Wildlife. In the bass Pro
Complex is the Archery Hall of Fame and Museum. You
(15:57):
can go there free charge and you can walk through
the Archery Hall of Fame and Museum there in Springfield,
and they've got a lot of memorabilia on display. I've been, yeah,
and coming up next March. I think this is something
everybody should put on their calendar if you have any
interest in this, or if you have interest in hunting
with the ball and arrow. The Professional Bull Hunter Society PBS,
(16:20):
it's an organization of people who just love to hunt
with the ball and arrow. The word professional in this
case doesn't mean you make money by doing it. It
simply means this is a lifestyle. This is a culture.
The PBS is having their biennial every two year convention
and in Annapolis next March.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
No way, I'm writing this down as you talk.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Good work, Okay, Yeah, and you know that's it only
happens every two years, and it goes around the country
and this maybe the only chance you get to have
it this close to you. So look up, look up,
you know, Google a Professional ball Hunter Society. They also
have a Facebook page. Go into them. Go there and
(17:01):
look up the events, the conventions, and you'll see all
the details you need to know about the PBS.
Speaker 1 (17:07):
Well, Gene, we love to have this conversation. I'm so
glad we get to highlight you. The people are what
make this show great. And not only are you dedicated
to conservation and resources and putting your money where your
mouth is, but you're a good steward collecting and preserving.
So thanks for being a part of Indiana Outdoors and
enjoy your hunting trips this fall. Let's kind of find
a time to catch up and we'll find out what's
(17:27):
going on in Indiana with the other business stuff when
we have another opportunity. But thanks for being a part
of it today. Great story, Thanks Brian, have a great day. Indeed,
one of our favorites, Gene Hopkins. In this case, I
have something to do in March now. I think I'm
going to look up the Professional Bowhunter Society. It is
the Indiana Outdoor Show. I am your host. We're brought
(17:48):
to you by Indiana Donor Network, Driven to Save Lives
dot org. Back right after this in what a great
(18:10):
show we've had here. It is the traditional start of
the archery season. That means we are on the down
hill slide to so many great fall activities. The dear
firearm season coming up in November, We've got waterfowl, We've
got all sorts of stuff to be outside. Fishing is
(18:31):
still great, So we're going to celebrate all things Indian
Outdoors because it is the start of the archery season.
It was great to visit with Gene Hopkins. And usually
we're talking to him about the Sportsman's Roundtable as he
runs the Sportsman's Round Table, but in this case, a
lot of people don't know. And this is what I
love about Indian Outdoors is people bring passions, but they
(18:51):
also bring a lot of their own stuff, if you will.
They don't just be a part of an organization, but
they contributed to the outdoors in so many ways. One
of the foremost collectors of traditional archery equipment in the
entire country, and it was great to visit with him.
Speaking of which, because Indiana Outdoors loves to highlight the
(19:12):
great people doing great work. Jamison Hibbs is with US
Backcountry Hunters and Anglers BHA chapter here in Indiana thriving
and we love to check in with them from time
to time. Jamison. It's been a few minutes since we
actually connected, but keeping up with you guys as schedule
and activities and bringing people to the outdoors could be
a full time job. What's going on at BHA.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
Yeah, Roan, I appreciate you having me on. It has
been about a month or two since we've had a
chance to chat. Back at the beginning of August. Man
VHA is just a continues to role. There's never really
a dull moment with us nationally and of course with
our Indiana chapters. Always stuff forth, new in public land,
advocate for access and opportunity and like you just said,
sunting seasons. So that's what brings us all to the table.
(19:56):
So I think people are gearing up to get up the.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
Field, sure, Aret, And one of the things that is
kind of the theme for the day, which it didn't work.
I didn't plan it this way, but you know, people
like you and your organization. People have jobs, they have careers,
they have families, they have so many things drawing on
their time, their talent, their treasure, their money. And yet
(20:21):
the passion that people bring to organizations like this. You
do a great job of reaching out to recruit new people.
To inform new people, to educate people on what's going on.
As you look at BHA right now, I know you
have recruitment events, pint nights and other things like that.
Anything scheduled for this fall. Are people just going to
be out doing what they do in the great Indiana outdoors.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
Well, you know, we're coming off a couple of big
events that we've had this past month. So you know,
back in August, we had that Conservation Conversations at Wade
Oaks and Wildlife, which required a lot of effort from
our A lot of our volunteers showed up. It was
a very impactful event there Beer Brewery and Noblesville. We
had about seventy five people in attendance. Ian Hopkins was there,
he was part of our panelist. We had Brandon Butler,
Alan Purcell from the Samshine Foundation. It was a very
(21:07):
great event.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
Well, other than Brandon Butler, who's a regular guest here,
you did pretty well.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, he did pretty well. Yeah, he kept
it under wraps. Now, he did a great job. Delivered
early good message only about hunter ethics and like the
hunting culture that we have today. So I mean, I
think it resonated with everybody extremely well. It allowed everyone
to think, even after they left, about where they're at
and their journey as far as in participation in the outdoors,
how they ripped it hunting, you know, in the in
(21:33):
the light of social media, especially nowadays.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
No, Brandon is the only one that's gotten me in
trouble on the radio because you know, Brandon can be unscripted,
and after twenty eight years, I love that. But I
missed the the foul reference and let's just say, the
affiliates that carry this let me know about it. So
he holds that top. Keep going, keep going. We love
(21:58):
brand No, that was.
Speaker 3 (21:59):
Yeah, Brandon's good people man. It's good to have him around.
Speaker 1 (22:01):
In the common I wish I was available, as you know,
I was out of the country at that time. But
Gene Hopkins was our guest here just a minute ago.
One of the greatest advocates for public lands conservation, hunting
and fishing. But he also has one of the best
collections of archery. What a great addition to your panel.
Speaker 3 (22:19):
Yeah, absolutely, And Gene came to us. You know, we
had we had Brandon, and we had Alan, and we
had Joe caudel Or our gear biologist and Gene. They
both joined Brandon and Allen for the panelist discussion and
a lot of the still got culture, you know what,
really what's some of the biggest challenges we might face
and hunting hunting community in Indiana and Gene chimed in,
you know phenomenally well, as you well know, and as
(22:41):
you've already stated that he's a welcome knowledge, such an
asset to the hunting community and Indiana outdoors especially we're
having in there and his expertise was was a phenomenal
add on.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
I know, you guys advocate for public lands, that's what
you're all about, and I love the charter. Where do
things stand right now with the conversation about the public
planned debate in this country?
Speaker 3 (23:02):
Oh? Man, Yeah, I think that's an ongoing debate NonStop.
You know, we we were everyone rallied earlier this year
and kind of feed in some of those pre instant
ideas of taking three million acres of National Forest BLM
and turning that into privitization. That conversation is never going
to stop. There are always going to beat people out
there that what did they see that as a commodity,
(23:23):
as an asset and a valuable asset that they can
sell off and you know, have a quick fix so
to speak, that's going to quote unquote fix the national debt,
which is inevitably untrue. You know, BHA, we stay on
top of those issues. That that is our forefront of
our mission. And recently now we have the road the
rescending of the rogus rule, which is something that came
(23:44):
back in the early nineties of that that's to help
protect those wild places. Not only does it protect those
wild places and that habitat, inevitably everything flows downstream quite
literally where those areas that robust rule protects is what
filters our drinking water, It's what helps you clean our area.
It's what provides us with that access and opportunity those
pesteam places that are very marginally left on this planet
(24:07):
that we can still go out recreate on see how
and participate in a natural setting the way it's a
bit to be. So the resenting of the roadless rule
has been something on the spotlight for BHA, which is
still kind of an attack on public land access and
opportunities too. But you know, that's that conversation with public
lands and the balance of is going to be It's
an ongoing debate amongst you know, people that really want
(24:29):
to kind of use that those lands as as a
privatized asset and the people that want to keep those
open for the American people, because that's what it's there for.
That was the purpose of those public lands. And that's
what's so uniquely American about what we have there is
everyone is a shareholder in six hundred and forty million
acres of public lands around this country, and you can't
say that anywhere else on Earth.
Speaker 1 (24:50):
Indeed, indeed, Jameson Hibbs is our guest and he's one
of the leaders of BHA, the back Country Hunters and Anglers.
In the short time we have left anything that you'd
like for people to know about BHA events coming up,
how to get involved, who to call, et cetera.
Speaker 3 (25:04):
Well, I think the biggest things we have a big
membership instead of going on right now or anyone that
signs up or joins with BHA gets a free gerber knife,
pretty nice little drop point knife. They can go to
back Country Hunters dot org. And then I have a
brand new website we just launched this past couple of weeks.
Easy to find that joint now button. Click on that
you'll see the knife to see the promo, you can
join and then of course follow the Indiana Chapter on
(25:26):
both Facebook and Instagram you can see what's going on.
They just had a great event at the new boos
Ron property down there in Sullivan County. They went out there,
they pulled a couple hundred yards of fencing, they opened
up access some overgrown head DROs or our fensrows, and
they helped build kind of a new check in Kiosk.
So the chapter's very active with boots on the ground advocacy.
And then we also had our chapter chair, Brian Stone.
(25:49):
He went and did public testimony for the Sendate and
ad Committee whenever they're doing their assessment right now on
the value of public lands. So Gene Hopkins was there
a great representation Brian Stone, our chapter chair was they're
talking about the value of public lands, opportunity for hunting
and fishing on those lands, and how valuable those are
to the Indiana economy.
Speaker 1 (26:08):
Jamison always great to visit with you. You always have
an open phone here. Keep up the great work. Go
to BHA dot org, become a member and we look
forward to having you back here as we turn into
the fall, which is success field and for us this
fall wherever it may take you, and let's get together
real soon.
Speaker 3 (26:23):
Okay, awesome man.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
I appreciate it, Brian, appreciate you. It is the Indiana
Outdoor Show, brought to you by Indiana Donor Network, driven
to Saved Lives. I your host, Brian Pointer. We're going
to continue this party. What's going on in state Parks
when we return right after this? And what a fantastic show.
(26:55):
Many many thanks. Our guests make this as do our listeners.
But great to have Gene Hopkins kicking off today. We
started the archery season and for deer in Indiana, and
he is one of the nation's foremost, as he says,
caretakers of traditional archery and he has amassed quite a collection.
Great to visit with him, along with Jamison Hibbs, backcountry
(27:17):
hunters and anglers. Good to catch up with them. But Indiana,
one of our premier gems is Indiana State Parks. And
I should probably tell you this is Indiana Outdoors and
I'm Brian Pointer since I'm already into this, but we
already know that by now, and we're brought to you
by Indiana Donor Network. Blah blah blah. So now we
get to the fun stuff joining me. One of the
(27:38):
outreach coordinators for our Division of Parks is with me
now and it's always great to visit with my friends there.
But Amanda Anyas is with us. Amanda, it's great to
have you be a part of Indiana Outdoors. This is
such a big part of Indiana's history and a great
part of traditions fall in Indiana and our state parks.
(28:00):
What in the world can we look forward to? And
thanks for being here.
Speaker 4 (28:02):
Today, Hey, thank you for having me on. Always good
to talk about our state parks where memories are made naturally.
So yes, good to be here. Thank you for having
me on.
Speaker 1 (28:15):
You know, one of the great taglines that my dear
friend and longtime colleague and contributor here to Indian Outdoors
and my work on the commission was Director Bortner, and
many years ago when he took over in parks, she said,
we're in the business of making memories. And I don't
think there's been a better tagline. So I like the
way you just said that.
Speaker 4 (28:36):
Absolutely, absolutely, we're in the memory making business. So people
come to our parks to enjoy all the outdoors has
to offer. And my goodness, October is full of activities
at the parks.
Speaker 1 (28:49):
Well go into it. I mean we could be here
all day long. But I know this is huge for
state parks. You got Halloween activities in the parks, you
got capacity with the leaf changing going on around the
state in all of our state parks because people love that.
It's a great traditional fall. But there's so many other
things that you guys do this time of the year.
Speaker 4 (29:10):
Share some stuff, yeah, definitely. So I want to highlight
that I'd like to point out is Profeetown State Park
over in Lafaia, Indiana. They have this incredible thing called
the Trail of Scarecrows and you can walk along their
ada accessible path and see these scarecrows that community members,
(29:34):
school classrooms have put together. They're all really creative scarecrows
and you can vote for your favorite and by donating
a small amount and all of that goes back into
our interpretation, our Interpretive Services Fund. So that's a wonderful opportunity.
(29:54):
It runs first of October all the way to November two.
Take the whole family out. The Trail of Scarecrows is such.
Speaker 1 (30:03):
A fun ac gerecrows kind of creep me. They're like clowns,
they can.
Speaker 4 (30:07):
Be a little creepy, but these are so creative they imagine.
Speaker 1 (30:11):
I bet you there's some artistic gems.
Speaker 4 (30:14):
Absolutely, absolutely, And like you said, we have lots of
Halloween activities going on. Every weekend seems to be filled
with things. So I always suggest check the calendar see
when your favorite property is hosting their Halloween or fall festivals.
They usually choose like one, sometimes two weekends to host
(30:38):
all of those, so make sure you get those right
dates so you can come on the right time.
Speaker 1 (30:43):
You know, the calendar is so big. And your predecessor,
who was with me for all these years as principal
spokesman and just a great advocate for parks, Ginger Murphy,
always we always used to laugh because it's the best
resource you could go to to check the calendars. If
you're going into an area you think you might want
to stop into a state park, Guess what, there's probably
a million different things you could do that weekend based
(31:05):
on the interpretive naturalists and programming that's going on this
time this time of year.
Speaker 4 (31:09):
Especially, there is there is, So I'll go to that
calendar check it out. It's a really great opportunity if
you are playning a head, though, I will suggest checking
out Hardy Lake on October twenty fifth. They we're going
to have breakfast with the birds as well as al Oween.
Speaker 1 (31:29):
So oh, I see what you did there? I see it.
Speaker 4 (31:33):
You see they're so creative. There's so many there's haunt
autumn Alloween. Yeah, there's so many good ones that are
interpretive naturalists have come up with.
Speaker 1 (31:44):
Well. Parks is always busy, and I have said this
in the last several years. Despite everything that is challenging
in Indiana Department of Natural Resources, funding and other things,
our parks have never looked better. The resources available to
people in our parks have never been greater. The services
(32:05):
are first class. And I know it's probably hard to
get a campsite this fall in October, but you know
the CAMPI in dot gov and other places. Is there
still availability in different in different locations.
Speaker 4 (32:22):
Yeah, these weekends are pretty popular. So my suggestion to
folks looking for a camp site, you can check out
the camp this Weekend feature on our reservation and that'll
pop up any available spaces and things open up at
the last minute, so keep checking, keep looking back. There
(32:42):
may be some primitive spots open for folks. But yes,
like you said, camping is very popular this October, so
I know.
Speaker 1 (32:50):
That as we get closer to Halloween, one of the
great traditions in a lot of the parks, they have
trick or treating amongst the guests, and it's quite a
thing with decorations, and that's something to look forward to
as well. Check the calendar, right.
Speaker 4 (33:06):
Yes, exactly, they have a campground decorating contests and things
like that, so you can definitely walk around they have
trick or treats at the campsite. It's quite fine.
Speaker 1 (33:18):
Well, Amanda, it sounds like you've got a lot going on,
and my best everybody in state parks and we have
a new director, Bront Bowman, is doing such a great
job and carrying a big, big history behind him and
a great tradition of leadership and making Indiana State Parks
one of the great destinations in our country. So thanks
(33:39):
for all the work that you do. Check the calendar,
go out to our state parks, go view the leaves,
do all the fun stuff and taking some of the
things that are taking place at our state parks and
properties this fall. Thanks for being with us and we
wish you well. Thank you my pleasure. Aman Anya's was
with US Indiana State Parks Great Desk. It's the nation,
(34:01):
so is the Indiana Outdoor Show. And of course we're
going to be back right after this, and well that
(34:25):
escalated quickly. What a great show started right out of
the gate. It is the Indiana Outdoor Show, and I
am your host, Brian Pointer. This for many, including myself,
favorite part of the entire year. I love October. I
love the fall. There's nothing better than a good fall
in Indiana. And as you know, sometimes that's two days,
(34:47):
sometimes it's several weeks. But what a great opportunity to
be in the Indiana outdoors. So many things come together
at this time of the year. We've got the traditional
starting of archery season for in Indiana, waterfowl hunting, great
fishing still across Indiana in the fall. We've had a
(35:07):
beautiful stretch here of a couple of weeks, and I
was so thrilled to finally get Gene Hopkins away from
the Indiana Sportsman's Roundtable leadership and to talk about some
of the great things that he personally has a passion for,
which happens to be one of the largest collections that
he calls himself a caretaker of traditional archery history, and
(35:30):
I have threatened to come down and see him in
southern Indiana to see this, and this is going to happen.
He has been one of our great guests over the years.
But I think it's important for also people to understand
and highlight that they might lead an organization, but a
lot of these folks have some pretty significant passions that
(35:51):
run pretty deep in the outdoor. So it was great
to visit with Gene and get a little bit of
his passion for traditional archery wuipment. One of the great
organizations here in Indiana is the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.
Jamison Hibbs joined us and they have so many things
reaching out to people all over Indiana join their chapter.
(36:14):
He mentioned their website BHA dot org new website. You
can go and be a member, and you don't have to.
I've always said, be a member of some organization that
advocates and they support the public lands in not only
Indiana but around the country. And there's a huge a
lot of pressure on preserving public lands, which would seem
(36:36):
to be kind of intuitive, but we got to pay attention.
So we got a great friends at BHA and of
course Indiana state parks properties busy, busy time of the year.
Parks and properties have never looked good, never looked as
good as they do. So many traditional fall things going
on in those different state parks. Check the calendar. As
(36:56):
you heard us say, folks, I could do this all
day long, but remember turning a poacher one eight hundred
tip I D n R. Enjoy this beautiful fall. I
will see you in the great Indiana outdoors. See you
next week. Everybody
Well, happy first weekend of October. I love this time
of the year. So many Hoosiers love this time of
the year. So we're gonna have a great show. It
is the Indiana Outdoor Show, and I am your host,
Brian Pointer. Always glad to be with you. But there's
just something about the change in the air. The leaves
are change and the crops are coming out. Hunting seasons
(00:49):
are in full swing. This is the first weekend of
Indiana's archery season for deer, a great tradition for so
many many Hoosiers. I do remind you we've been doing
this the last couple of weeks here that there's a
new license purchase system. Don't wait till you're ready to
head to the field, because it might take a step
or two. More So, just a friendly, curty courtesy reminder
(01:11):
from your friends at Indiana Outdoors. I your host, Brian Pointer,
Great to be with you. Were brought to you by
Indiana Donor Network. I really want to get right into
the show because I've been looking forward to this for
a long time. Our dear friend Jeene Hopkins, who is
the president of the Indiana Sportsman's Roundtable, is also one
(01:32):
of the country's most acclaimed collector of historical archery traditional
archery equipment, and he's amassed over some forty years this
absolute extraordinary collection. So we're going to have him on
the air. He's waiting and Jamison Hibbs back country hunters
(01:53):
and Anglers, he's going to be with us. They always
got some great stuff going on in the fall, and
no better place than parks, and we're going to visit
and find out what they've got on store for one
of the busiest months of the year in October in
Indiana State Park. So with that, we're going to get
right to it. And Gene Hopkins is waiting. It's the
Indiana Outdoor Show. I'm your host, Brian Pointer. Don't go anywhere.
(02:16):
We're gonna be back in just a minute. In what
a beautiful part of the year, my word would have
beaut If you want to experience Indiana at its finest,
(02:38):
come in early October, end of September. What a great
time we've had. It is the Indiana Outdoor Show. I
am your host, Brian Pointer. Of course, we're brought to
you by our good friends at Indiana Donor Network Driven
to Save Lives dot org. Send out to be an
organ or tissue donor when you buy that hunting and
fishing license and as you know, some changes to that
new license purchase system in the state of Indiana and upgrade.
(03:02):
So give yourself some time and while you're there, send
them to be an organ and tissue donor. As we
mentioned at the top of the hour, I always love
it when we can have great people be a part
of this show. That's what this show is all about.
And we have regulars on like our good friend Geene Hopkins.
(03:23):
Traditionally he is the spokesman. He is the president for
the Indiana Sportsman's Roundtable. But the thing I love about
Indiana Outdoors is there's so many other things that people
give their time, talent and treasure, and this is one
of those moments. So Geene, it's great to visit with
you today. It's been a minute since we've been on
the air together. But have you been What have you
(03:44):
been up to.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
I've been doing well, Brian, in your retirement, I should say, yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
As you know, I retired last January, so I'm trying
to make the most of it. I've got a lot
of years that I worked hard to get to this
point and now it's time to reap the reward.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
I don't believe. I don't know what that feels like,
but one of these days maybe right. So, you know,
you and I have been friends for a very, very
long time, and often you wear different hats. Maybe it's
talking about the tip board, the turn into poacher board,
or the sportsman's roundtable when we're keeping track of things
(04:20):
going on in Indiana's legislature and rallying the troops, so
to speak. But one of the things that I don't
believe many people would know is that you're probably one
of the country's greatest collectors of traditional archery equipment. And
this has been going on for years, and you've assembled
quite a historic package. And I know it's very important
(04:41):
to you. You're a tremendous advocate for archery, especially traditional archery,
and I know that's a passion that you carry into
the field with you. But when someone says you collect
traditional archery equipment, what in the world would you tell somebody?
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Well, would I wouldn't tell them? Probably? First of all,
I'm not really a collector of archery equipment. I'm a
caretaker of archery history, and that's the way I prefer
to talk about it, and that's the way I prefer
to think about it, because so many people came before
us over the years, going back to the Thompson Brothers
(05:20):
in eighteen seventy eight writing the book Witchery of Archery,
they actually lived in Crawfordsville, Indiana, which that book got
us into a mindset where you know a lot of
bow and arrow, which basically had been almost forgotten even
among the Native Americans, that the bone arrow could be
(05:41):
used for sport and challenge. And that book, The Witchery
of Archery, is really what got us started. So going forward,
you know, from the Witchery of Archery into the story
of Issue the last Stone Age Indian coming down out
on the mountains in California in nineteen eleven. Through the
years with Saxon Hope and are Young, we all that
(06:01):
history is something that I don't want to be forgotten
and being able to as symbol and share. And that's
another thing. It's not really fun to have this history
if you can't share this history. So I like to
go around and I like to share my collection with
people at bigger shows around the country. But caretaker is
(06:22):
the word I prefer to use instead of collector.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
I like that very much. As a matter of fact,
aren't we caretakers for all of the good things that
have come from the past. But I love that framing
of what you do because I have a lot of
hobbies and things where I would call myself a collector,
But you know what, I think, I'm going to call
myself a caretaker. But we are on the verge of
archery season here in Indiana, and it just gave a
(06:46):
perfect opportunity for open up to have another conversation and
open up the things that are important to you that
I have known about, and I think it's fantastic for
you to share. So you're the caretaker of history, and
you mentioned a lot of historical references. But as you
travel around and you go to these shows and tell
(07:08):
us about the depth of your collection, tell us about
what you have been able to pull together and what
you like to share with people.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
You know. I was very fortunate that I've always been
a history buff. Back in school, history was one of
my favorite subjects, so it was pretty easy for me.
I loved being outdoors. I loved hunting, fishing, and trapping.
I really loved hunting with the bow and arrow, and
put that together with my love for history, just kind
of naturally. About forty forty five years ago, I started assembling.
(07:42):
I had different items of archery history and started small.
But you know, back then, there weren't a lot of
people that were saving archery history. I thought at one
time I might be the only guy around who was
doing this weird thing and collecting saving archery history. So
it was fairly for me to go into an old
(08:02):
archery shop and they might have a drawer full of
old broadheads, they might have some old bows on the wall.
I'd go through old magazines, archery magazines, and I'd look
for names and addresses of people that were shooting in
the thirties and forties and fifties, and i'd call them up.
Back then, we had white pages and we didn't have
the internet email, and so I would look them up.
(08:25):
I would look up their phone number, I'd look up
their address, and i'd go visit them. And in most cases,
almost every case, they were happy that somebody cared. You know,
I didn't know anybody really cared about this stuff anymore.
I'm so happy you're here, you know, And they'd said,
and they'd love to just share stories of their early
days with the ball and arrow. And you know, a
lot of people listening may not know it, but in Indiana,
(08:50):
we didn't get a deer season into nineteen fifty one.
That wasn't that long ago. You know, the first gentleman
to take a bow I would take a deer with
a bow and arrow Indiana. I had bitch guy took
it in Brown County Park. You know, legally we were
able to hunt the park back then. Yeah, and all
(09:10):
that history and the people and the effort they made
to get us an archery season, to get us a
dear season, to restock dear and in the state of Indiana,
and restock turkey in the state of Indiana. There's so
much they did for us that I think honoring them
and keeping their memory alive and keeping their story alive
(09:30):
is something that I really enjoyed doing.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
So I love that. And you just kind of took
me back and I was reminiscing about the white pages,
and you remember you used to call one four one
one and get a telephone. I need a telephone number,
and those old days. That's shoe leather work right there.
But you call yourself a caretaker, and you thought you
(09:53):
might be the only person that was doing this. What
did you find as time went on over these forty years,
were there other people like you?
Speaker 3 (10:00):
You know?
Speaker 2 (10:00):
Yeah? And back then, you know, in the late seventies
through the eighties, I had an archery shop in Columbus,
and through my archery shop, I was able to meet
a lot of people in the business, you know, the
archery industry. And I came across a group of people
who had started a club in nineteen seventy four called
the American Broadhead Collectors Club ABCC, and they were from
(10:23):
all around the country and eventually all around the world,
and they were collectors, savers, custodians, caretakers of archery history.
And so now I've got a network of people. You know,
there may be two hundred people in ABCC at that time.
And I was able to share, and I was able
to trade, and I was able to learn. And so
(10:45):
from there, you know, now you start to see things
like eBay come along, and you start to see the
Internet and you see Facebook and all the Facebook groups
that are out there about archery history. If you go
into Facebook and do a search for archery history or
archery collect or, Broadhead Collecting, there's a lot of groups
out there now of people that are doing this and
(11:05):
are interested in and it's a good way to build
a network. So if you think you're interested in archery history,
collecting old archery memorabilia, learning more about it, there's so
many avenues now to be able to do that.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
How do you pick and choose what goes into your
caretaking collection? Wow? Do you discern if it's something you
should trade for? I hear a lot of things that
I'm processing this in my head. Where you collect enough
mass and you have such a great body of material,
but what's left? Is there still things that you pursue?
Do you still trade?
Speaker 2 (11:39):
You know?
Speaker 3 (11:40):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (11:40):
My collecting again, I've been doing it for forty five years,
so I've kind of specialized myself down to I like
the early stuff, you know, from the eighteen seventies to
the nineteen forties, nineteen fifties. Other people will collect something
maybe you know a good friend of mine up in Michigan,
he specializes in Fred bher anything fred Bear related. You
(12:02):
know other people I know that collect things that are
related to the state they live in. Other people collect
just old broadheads or old bear bows, bear archery bows,
or old browning bows. So you get into it and
you'll find yourself maybe I'm just kind of shotgunning it
(12:23):
and just picking up what I can when I can,
And then you'll find yourself mature or evolving to a
point where you know, this interests me more than that,
and then you'll start to concentrate and focus on that
one area that you're most interested in. But most people do.
Most people just start saving, collecting anything and everything until
(12:45):
they find out what it is. It really trips the trigger.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Are you pursuing other things? Do you find that you
come across gems that you had no idea?
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Still to this day, I have found some of the
best history over the last five years that I've ever found.
And you know, a lot of That's another thing. A
lot of guys say, well, it's too late. You know,
all you guys have gotten everything already. If it was
any good, you've already got it. That's not true. There's
still some really good things out there. And you know,
(13:16):
my grandfather did, or my great grandfather was, and now
it's you know, the great grandson or the grandson has
that stuff now and he doesn't necessarily cherish it like
the son did. Or the person did and he'll sell it.
One of the best broadheads I have ever found was
found just last year over in Park County at the
(13:39):
Covered Bridge Festival at the flea market over there. No way, Yeah,
in a box just last year. Wow, and just broadhead.
It was a four blade barbs a wiki that was
made nineteen thirty nine, and nobody had ever found it.
And it was just you know, it was one of
those unicorns that you'd heard about, but no that he'd
(14:00):
ever found it, so maybe they didn't even make them. Well,
sure enough, a good friend of mine from over there
went to the Park County Covered Bridge Festival flea market
called me up and said, hey, look what I found
And he found one in the bottom of a cardboard box.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
Unbelievable, so unbelievable. As you have made this your passion,
what do you hope to do with this now that
you have, as you said, matured in the short time
we have left. What do you hope to do as
you ride out of your retirement and continue to collect
and display and show and teach and share the history.
(14:35):
What's next?
Speaker 2 (14:36):
Well, you know, I hope I've got another twenty or
twenty five or thirty years to do what I'm doing.
I just turned sixty seven, so you know, I still
feel like I'm fourteen oh thirty. Yeah, But at some
point that is the magic question, that's a million dollar question,
is what am I going to do with my collection
of things? You know when that dadas come? And so
(14:58):
I've got some ideas. I want to get it to
a you know, a position where it can be shared
in long term and perpetuity with people. So how can
I do that. I've got some ideas in their work,
I'm working them.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
I know you are. You always are. So there's probably
somebody listening and go, wow, what a neat thing to do.
But where would you steer someone if they said, you know,
I'd really like to go someplace now to see the
best representation of archery history. But the first thing that
comes to mind is is Fred Bhaer, Where would you go?
(15:33):
Where would you direct someone?
Speaker 2 (15:34):
I would I recommend you know, if you want to
take a short weekend vacation and you want to go
to Springfield, Missouri, and you want to go to the
bass Pro complex out there in Springfield and the Wonders
of Wildlife Museum that they have out there, which is spectacular,
but in the Wonders of Wildlife. In the bass Pro
Complex is the Archery Hall of Fame and Museum. You
(15:57):
can go there free charge and you can walk through
the Archery Hall of Fame and Museum there in Springfield,
and they've got a lot of memorabilia on display. I've been, yeah,
and coming up next March. I think this is something
everybody should put on their calendar if you have any
interest in this, or if you have interest in hunting
with the ball and arrow. The Professional Bull Hunter Society PBS,
(16:20):
it's an organization of people who just love to hunt
with the ball and arrow. The word professional in this
case doesn't mean you make money by doing it. It
simply means this is a lifestyle. This is a culture.
The PBS is having their biennial every two year convention
and in Annapolis next March.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
No way, I'm writing this down as you talk.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Good work, Okay, Yeah, and you know that's it only
happens every two years, and it goes around the country
and this maybe the only chance you get to have
it this close to you. So look up, look up,
you know, Google a Professional ball Hunter Society. They also
have a Facebook page. Go into them. Go there and
(17:01):
look up the events, the conventions, and you'll see all
the details you need to know about the PBS.
Speaker 1 (17:07):
Well, Gene, we love to have this conversation. I'm so
glad we get to highlight you. The people are what
make this show great. And not only are you dedicated
to conservation and resources and putting your money where your
mouth is, but you're a good steward collecting and preserving.
So thanks for being a part of Indiana Outdoors and
enjoy your hunting trips this fall. Let's kind of find
a time to catch up and we'll find out what's
(17:27):
going on in Indiana with the other business stuff when
we have another opportunity. But thanks for being a part
of it today. Great story, Thanks Brian, have a great day. Indeed,
one of our favorites, Gene Hopkins. In this case, I
have something to do in March now. I think I'm
going to look up the Professional Bowhunter Society. It is
the Indiana Outdoor Show. I am your host. We're brought
(17:48):
to you by Indiana Donor Network, Driven to Save Lives
dot org. Back right after this in what a great
(18:10):
show we've had here. It is the traditional start of
the archery season. That means we are on the down
hill slide to so many great fall activities. The dear
firearm season coming up in November, We've got waterfowl, We've
got all sorts of stuff to be outside. Fishing is
(18:31):
still great, So we're going to celebrate all things Indian
Outdoors because it is the start of the archery season.
It was great to visit with Gene Hopkins. And usually
we're talking to him about the Sportsman's Roundtable as he
runs the Sportsman's Round Table, but in this case, a
lot of people don't know. And this is what I
love about Indian Outdoors is people bring passions, but they
(18:51):
also bring a lot of their own stuff, if you will.
They don't just be a part of an organization, but
they contributed to the outdoors in so many ways. One
of the foremost collectors of traditional archery equipment in the
entire country, and it was great to visit with him.
Speaking of which, because Indiana Outdoors loves to highlight the
(19:12):
great people doing great work. Jamison Hibbs is with US
Backcountry Hunters and Anglers BHA chapter here in Indiana thriving
and we love to check in with them from time
to time. Jamison. It's been a few minutes since we
actually connected, but keeping up with you guys as schedule
and activities and bringing people to the outdoors could be
a full time job. What's going on at BHA.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
Yeah, Roan, I appreciate you having me on. It has
been about a month or two since we've had a
chance to chat. Back at the beginning of August. Man
VHA is just a continues to role. There's never really
a dull moment with us nationally and of course with
our Indiana chapters. Always stuff forth, new in public land,
advocate for access and opportunity and like you just said,
sunting seasons. So that's what brings us all to the table.
(19:56):
So I think people are gearing up to get up the.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
Field, sure, Aret, And one of the things that is
kind of the theme for the day, which it didn't work.
I didn't plan it this way, but you know, people
like you and your organization. People have jobs, they have careers,
they have families, they have so many things drawing on
their time, their talent, their treasure, their money. And yet
(20:21):
the passion that people bring to organizations like this. You
do a great job of reaching out to recruit new people.
To inform new people, to educate people on what's going on.
As you look at BHA right now, I know you
have recruitment events, pint nights and other things like that.
Anything scheduled for this fall. Are people just going to
be out doing what they do in the great Indiana outdoors.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
Well, you know, we're coming off a couple of big
events that we've had this past month. So you know,
back in August, we had that Conservation Conversations at Wade
Oaks and Wildlife, which required a lot of effort from
our A lot of our volunteers showed up. It was
a very impactful event there Beer Brewery and Noblesville. We
had about seventy five people in attendance. Ian Hopkins was there,
he was part of our panelist. We had Brandon Butler,
Alan Purcell from the Samshine Foundation. It was a very
(21:07):
great event.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
Well, other than Brandon Butler, who's a regular guest here,
you did pretty well.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, he did pretty well. Yeah, he kept
it under wraps. Now, he did a great job. Delivered
early good message only about hunter ethics and like the
hunting culture that we have today. So I mean, I
think it resonated with everybody extremely well. It allowed everyone
to think, even after they left, about where they're at
and their journey as far as in participation in the outdoors,
how they ripped it hunting, you know, in the in
(21:33):
the light of social media, especially nowadays.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
No, Brandon is the only one that's gotten me in
trouble on the radio because you know, Brandon can be unscripted,
and after twenty eight years, I love that. But I
missed the the foul reference and let's just say, the
affiliates that carry this let me know about it. So
he holds that top. Keep going, keep going. We love
(21:58):
brand No, that was.
Speaker 3 (21:59):
Yeah, Brandon's good people man. It's good to have him around.
Speaker 1 (22:01):
In the common I wish I was available, as you know,
I was out of the country at that time. But
Gene Hopkins was our guest here just a minute ago.
One of the greatest advocates for public lands conservation, hunting
and fishing. But he also has one of the best
collections of archery. What a great addition to your panel.
Speaker 3 (22:19):
Yeah, absolutely, And Gene came to us. You know, we
had we had Brandon, and we had Alan, and we
had Joe caudel Or our gear biologist and Gene. They
both joined Brandon and Allen for the panelist discussion and
a lot of the still got culture, you know what,
really what's some of the biggest challenges we might face
and hunting hunting community in Indiana and Gene chimed in,
you know phenomenally well, as you well know, and as
(22:41):
you've already stated that he's a welcome knowledge, such an
asset to the hunting community and Indiana outdoors especially we're
having in there and his expertise was was a phenomenal
add on.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
I know, you guys advocate for public lands, that's what
you're all about, and I love the charter. Where do
things stand right now with the conversation about the public
planned debate in this country?
Speaker 3 (23:02):
Oh? Man, Yeah, I think that's an ongoing debate NonStop.
You know, we we were everyone rallied earlier this year
and kind of feed in some of those pre instant
ideas of taking three million acres of National Forest BLM
and turning that into privitization. That conversation is never going
to stop. There are always going to beat people out
there that what did they see that as a commodity,
(23:23):
as an asset and a valuable asset that they can
sell off and you know, have a quick fix so
to speak, that's going to quote unquote fix the national debt,
which is inevitably untrue. You know, BHA, we stay on
top of those issues. That that is our forefront of
our mission. And recently now we have the road the
rescending of the rogus rule, which is something that came
(23:44):
back in the early nineties of that that's to help
protect those wild places. Not only does it protect those
wild places and that habitat, inevitably everything flows downstream quite
literally where those areas that robust rule protects is what
filters our drinking water, It's what helps you clean our area.
It's what provides us with that access and opportunity those
pesteam places that are very marginally left on this planet
(24:07):
that we can still go out recreate on see how
and participate in a natural setting the way it's a
bit to be. So the resenting of the roadless rule
has been something on the spotlight for BHA, which is
still kind of an attack on public land access and
opportunities too. But you know, that's that conversation with public
lands and the balance of is going to be It's
an ongoing debate amongst you know, people that really want
(24:29):
to kind of use that those lands as as a
privatized asset and the people that want to keep those
open for the American people, because that's what it's there for.
That was the purpose of those public lands. And that's
what's so uniquely American about what we have there is
everyone is a shareholder in six hundred and forty million
acres of public lands around this country, and you can't
say that anywhere else on Earth.
Speaker 1 (24:50):
Indeed, indeed, Jameson Hibbs is our guest and he's one
of the leaders of BHA, the back Country Hunters and Anglers.
In the short time we have left anything that you'd
like for people to know about BHA events coming up,
how to get involved, who to call, et cetera.
Speaker 3 (25:04):
Well, I think the biggest things we have a big
membership instead of going on right now or anyone that
signs up or joins with BHA gets a free gerber knife,
pretty nice little drop point knife. They can go to
back Country Hunters dot org. And then I have a
brand new website we just launched this past couple of weeks.
Easy to find that joint now button. Click on that
you'll see the knife to see the promo, you can
join and then of course follow the Indiana Chapter on
(25:26):
both Facebook and Instagram you can see what's going on.
They just had a great event at the new boos
Ron property down there in Sullivan County. They went out there,
they pulled a couple hundred yards of fencing, they opened
up access some overgrown head DROs or our fensrows, and
they helped build kind of a new check in Kiosk.
So the chapter's very active with boots on the ground advocacy.
And then we also had our chapter chair, Brian Stone.
(25:49):
He went and did public testimony for the Sendate and
ad Committee whenever they're doing their assessment right now on
the value of public lands. So Gene Hopkins was there
a great representation Brian Stone, our chapter chair was they're
talking about the value of public lands, opportunity for hunting
and fishing on those lands, and how valuable those are
to the Indiana economy.
Speaker 1 (26:08):
Jamison always great to visit with you. You always have
an open phone here. Keep up the great work. Go
to BHA dot org, become a member and we look
forward to having you back here as we turn into
the fall, which is success field and for us this
fall wherever it may take you, and let's get together
real soon.
Speaker 3 (26:23):
Okay, awesome man.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
I appreciate it, Brian, appreciate you. It is the Indiana
Outdoor Show, brought to you by Indiana Donor Network, driven
to Saved Lives. I your host, Brian Pointer. We're going
to continue this party. What's going on in state Parks
when we return right after this? And what a fantastic show.
(26:55):
Many many thanks. Our guests make this as do our listeners.
But great to have Gene Hopkins kicking off today. We
started the archery season and for deer in Indiana, and
he is one of the nation's foremost, as he says,
caretakers of traditional archery and he has amassed quite a collection.
Great to visit with him, along with Jamison Hibbs, backcountry
(27:17):
hunters and anglers. Good to catch up with them. But Indiana,
one of our premier gems is Indiana State Parks. And
I should probably tell you this is Indiana Outdoors and
I'm Brian Pointer since I'm already into this, but we
already know that by now, and we're brought to you
by Indiana Donor Network. Blah blah blah. So now we
get to the fun stuff joining me. One of the
(27:38):
outreach coordinators for our Division of Parks is with me
now and it's always great to visit with my friends there.
But Amanda Anyas is with us. Amanda, it's great to
have you be a part of Indiana Outdoors. This is
such a big part of Indiana's history and a great
part of traditions fall in Indiana and our state parks.
(28:00):
What in the world can we look forward to? And
thanks for being here.
Speaker 4 (28:02):
Today, Hey, thank you for having me on. Always good
to talk about our state parks where memories are made naturally.
So yes, good to be here. Thank you for having
me on.
Speaker 1 (28:15):
You know, one of the great taglines that my dear
friend and longtime colleague and contributor here to Indian Outdoors
and my work on the commission was Director Bortner, and
many years ago when he took over in parks, she said,
we're in the business of making memories. And I don't
think there's been a better tagline. So I like the
way you just said that.
Speaker 4 (28:36):
Absolutely, absolutely, we're in the memory making business. So people
come to our parks to enjoy all the outdoors has
to offer. And my goodness, October is full of activities
at the parks.
Speaker 1 (28:49):
Well go into it. I mean we could be here
all day long. But I know this is huge for
state parks. You got Halloween activities in the parks, you
got capacity with the leaf changing going on around the
state in all of our state parks because people love that.
It's a great traditional fall. But there's so many other
things that you guys do this time of the year.
Speaker 4 (29:10):
Share some stuff, yeah, definitely. So I want to highlight
that I'd like to point out is Profeetown State Park
over in Lafaia, Indiana. They have this incredible thing called
the Trail of Scarecrows and you can walk along their
ada accessible path and see these scarecrows that community members,
(29:34):
school classrooms have put together. They're all really creative scarecrows
and you can vote for your favorite and by donating
a small amount and all of that goes back into
our interpretation, our Interpretive Services Fund. So that's a wonderful opportunity.
(29:54):
It runs first of October all the way to November two.
Take the whole family out. The Trail of Scarecrows is such.
Speaker 1 (30:03):
A fun ac gerecrows kind of creep me. They're like clowns,
they can.
Speaker 4 (30:07):
Be a little creepy, but these are so creative they imagine.
Speaker 1 (30:11):
I bet you there's some artistic gems.
Speaker 4 (30:14):
Absolutely, absolutely, And like you said, we have lots of
Halloween activities going on. Every weekend seems to be filled
with things. So I always suggest check the calendar see
when your favorite property is hosting their Halloween or fall festivals.
They usually choose like one, sometimes two weekends to host
(30:38):
all of those, so make sure you get those right
dates so you can come on the right time.
Speaker 1 (30:43):
You know, the calendar is so big. And your predecessor,
who was with me for all these years as principal
spokesman and just a great advocate for parks, Ginger Murphy,
always we always used to laugh because it's the best
resource you could go to to check the calendars. If
you're going into an area you think you might want
to stop into a state park, Guess what, there's probably
a million different things you could do that weekend based
(31:05):
on the interpretive naturalists and programming that's going on this
time this time of year.
Speaker 4 (31:09):
Especially, there is there is, So I'll go to that
calendar check it out. It's a really great opportunity if
you are playning a head, though, I will suggest checking
out Hardy Lake on October twenty fifth. They we're going
to have breakfast with the birds as well as al Oween.
Speaker 1 (31:29):
So oh, I see what you did there? I see it.
Speaker 4 (31:33):
You see they're so creative. There's so many there's haunt
autumn Alloween. Yeah, there's so many good ones that are
interpretive naturalists have come up with.
Speaker 1 (31:44):
Well. Parks is always busy, and I have said this
in the last several years. Despite everything that is challenging
in Indiana Department of Natural Resources, funding and other things,
our parks have never looked better. The resources available to
people in our parks have never been greater. The services
(32:05):
are first class. And I know it's probably hard to
get a campsite this fall in October, but you know
the CAMPI in dot gov and other places. Is there
still availability in different in different locations.
Speaker 4 (32:22):
Yeah, these weekends are pretty popular. So my suggestion to
folks looking for a camp site, you can check out
the camp this Weekend feature on our reservation and that'll
pop up any available spaces and things open up at
the last minute, so keep checking, keep looking back. There
(32:42):
may be some primitive spots open for folks. But yes,
like you said, camping is very popular this October, so
I know.
Speaker 1 (32:50):
That as we get closer to Halloween, one of the
great traditions in a lot of the parks, they have
trick or treating amongst the guests, and it's quite a
thing with decorations, and that's something to look forward to
as well. Check the calendar, right.
Speaker 4 (33:06):
Yes, exactly, they have a campground decorating contests and things
like that, so you can definitely walk around they have
trick or treats at the campsite. It's quite fine.
Speaker 1 (33:18):
Well, Amanda, it sounds like you've got a lot going on,
and my best everybody in state parks and we have
a new director, Bront Bowman, is doing such a great
job and carrying a big, big history behind him and
a great tradition of leadership and making Indiana State Parks
one of the great destinations in our country. So thanks
(33:39):
for all the work that you do. Check the calendar,
go out to our state parks, go view the leaves,
do all the fun stuff and taking some of the
things that are taking place at our state parks and
properties this fall. Thanks for being with us and we
wish you well. Thank you my pleasure. Aman Anya's was
with US Indiana State Parks Great Desk. It's the nation,
(34:01):
so is the Indiana Outdoor Show. And of course we're
going to be back right after this, and well that
(34:25):
escalated quickly. What a great show started right out of
the gate. It is the Indiana Outdoor Show, and I
am your host, Brian Pointer. This for many, including myself,
favorite part of the entire year. I love October. I
love the fall. There's nothing better than a good fall
in Indiana. And as you know, sometimes that's two days,
(34:47):
sometimes it's several weeks. But what a great opportunity to
be in the Indiana outdoors. So many things come together
at this time of the year. We've got the traditional
starting of archery season for in Indiana, waterfowl hunting, great
fishing still across Indiana in the fall. We've had a
(35:07):
beautiful stretch here of a couple of weeks, and I
was so thrilled to finally get Gene Hopkins away from
the Indiana Sportsman's Roundtable leadership and to talk about some
of the great things that he personally has a passion for,
which happens to be one of the largest collections that
he calls himself a caretaker of traditional archery history, and
(35:30):
I have threatened to come down and see him in
southern Indiana to see this, and this is going to happen.
He has been one of our great guests over the years.
But I think it's important for also people to understand
and highlight that they might lead an organization, but a
lot of these folks have some pretty significant passions that
(35:51):
run pretty deep in the outdoor. So it was great
to visit with Gene and get a little bit of
his passion for traditional archery wuipment. One of the great
organizations here in Indiana is the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.
Jamison Hibbs joined us and they have so many things
reaching out to people all over Indiana join their chapter.
(36:14):
He mentioned their website BHA dot org new website. You
can go and be a member, and you don't have to.
I've always said, be a member of some organization that
advocates and they support the public lands in not only
Indiana but around the country. And there's a huge a
lot of pressure on preserving public lands, which would seem
(36:36):
to be kind of intuitive, but we got to pay attention.
So we got a great friends at BHA and of
course Indiana state parks properties busy, busy time of the year.
Parks and properties have never looked good, never looked as
good as they do. So many traditional fall things going
on in those different state parks. Check the calendar. As
(36:56):
you heard us say, folks, I could do this all
day long, but remember turning a poacher one eight hundred
tip I D n R. Enjoy this beautiful fall. I
will see you in the great Indiana outdoors. See you
next week. Everybody
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