Early waterfowl hunting dates set for Turtle Creek Reservoir

Turtle Creek Reservoir will have limited fishing hours during 12 days of early waterfowl hunting season in September.

The early goose and teal hunting dates will be September 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 21. Goose hunting only is permitted on September 2 and 4. Teal hunting only will be permitted after September 15. The 1,500-acre reservoir owned by Hoosier Energy will be closed to fishing from 4 a.m. to noon (EDT) each of those days.

Drawings for blinds will be conducted at 4:30 a.m. local time with hunting beginning one-half hour before sunrise. Hunting will end at noon.

User fees for Turtle Creek Reservoir are: $1 for persons 16 and younger or 65 and older; all others will be charged $3.

A valid hunting license with waterfowl stamp and properly recorded Harvest Information Program (HIP) numbers is required. Other state and federal waterfowl hunting regulations also apply. Hunters must use state-approved shot.

Upland game hunting is not permitted at the reservoir or any other properties owned by Hoosier Energy. Wind speeds exceeding 30 miles per hour will cause the reservoir to be closed to all activity until conditions improve and water activities are authorized to resume.

Regular waterfowl hunting season dates for 2008-2009 will be announced later this fall by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Besides being a popular recreation area, Turtle Creek Reservoir provides cooling water for the Merom Generating Station owned by Hoosier Energy, the power supplier for 18 electric cooperatives.