OT: Ft Wayne In. info

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:14 pm

Well I have had a possible change in orders and may be going to the Ft Wayne area instead of Indianapolis. Can any of the Indiana brothers give me some info about the area?

Thanks

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:42 pm

It's FLAT, brother !

( And a lot of RV's are made there, too ! )

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:04 pm

Pete44ru wrote:It's FLAT, brother !

( And a lot of RV's are made there, too ! )

LOL

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:45 pm

Well, you'll be closer to me.

I've never gone over there, but my dad does fairly frequently. IIRC it's about 1.5hrs from me, so that's about 2.5 hrs from The Empire of Daley and his Obamanation... straight West on I-80.

OTOH, on the Indiana Hunting Forums that side of the state seems to do pretty well when it comes to deer.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:57 pm

Jeremy -

It has been a long time since I've been in Ft. Wayne. Had a buddy move up there when I was young, so I started driving up there some weekends while in high school (late 70's/early 80's). Had another friend from college who came from Ft. Wayne, so hit the town a few times then. Second largest city in Indiana behind Indianapolis, which is about 2 hours southwest. Several large schools - they were a football powerhouse back in my day. An industrial town back then - not sure now. As noted - flat as a board in every direction for hours! Cost of living should be a vast - VAST - improvement over Kalifornia!

Good luck - keep us posted!

cavemike · Post by **cavemike** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:17 pm

I have a bunch of relatives that live in that area. One of my cousins is career National Guard up there.

That idiot Helmke from the Brady Bunch was the mayor there. I am not sure of the politics there now.

The fishing is really good, there are lots of natural lakes within an hours drive. Although I don't hunt up there, I understand that the deer are plentiful and good sized. You will have to get to know the landowners as the area is primarily farmland. Corn and soybeans are what is grown.

If you would have any specific questions I can try to answer them.

Mike

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:21 pm

Yep, it's flat! Maybe one of the more liberal big cities in Indiana, but it isn't that big, and isn't that liberal.

Tell them you want that Avon post! (It's a REALLY long commute from Centerton IN (where I live) to Fort Wayne!)

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:22 pm

JReed,

Forum member OD lives there. You might PM him for some current up to date info. My wife was born and grew up there but she's been away for a couple decades and things have changed.

Joe

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:36 am

AJ
I'll give them a call today to find out why the change hopefully its a typo.

Joe
I'll drop him a line latter this afternoon and see what he has to say.

Thanks

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:16 pm

Just as boring as Ohio

My Grandmother's family comes from the area.

Surrounded by large farming communities. Decent deer hunting, lots of woodchucks and other varmints. Not all that far from Lake Mich&Erie.

Weather goes from unbelievably cold to unbareable humidity. Sometimes in the course of 24 hours!

Don't know much about Ft. Wayne itself but it can't be much different than most Midwest cities. And that ain't all that bad.

jb

Mokwaw · Post by **Mokwaw** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:34 pm

Jeremy, I live about 25 miles south west of Ft. Wayne. It's a nice city as far as cities go. The area around is basic flat farm ground. The deer are plentiful and usually good sized (corn and soybean fed). There are several thousand acres of state owned property in this area with three large reservoirs of several hundred acres, (Salamonie, Mississenawa, Huntington now called Reusch Lake). Fishing, camping, hiking, hunting, horse trails, snow mobile trails, biking trails (non-motorized) are allowed. There is a state run outdoor shooting range at the Huntington res.. There are several festivals held in the area also, German Fest & Muddy River Run are 2 that come to mind in Ft, Wayne. Heritage Days and Pioneer Festival In Huntington, James Dean Festival in Gas City, Mississenawa 1812 battle reenactment near Marion. There are several gun shows in the area, the bigger ones are held in The War Memorial Coliseum in Ft.wayne and several around in the smaller towns, most within an hour or so drive....As far as Ft.Wayne its self you can probably find anything you might need as far as goods and entertainment. As far as the education system I don't know much about other than what I hear on the news some excellant some not so hot. It has the normal crime problems as any city but not near as bad as bigger cities, the south and east sides of Ft. Wayne being the worst. The north and west sides are booming with new construction, housing, hospitals, business etc.....the housing can run pretty steep depending on what you are used to. There are several colleges and universities around also.....this getting kind of long winded so I will get off now...I guess I'm saying Ft.Wayne area "aint" so bad...I"ve been here for over 20 years now and I grew up in a lot smaller place in southern Illinois.......if you have any specific questions I will try to answer them. By the way Ft. Wayne has a very nice zoo, and nice museums and botanical gardens to visit. You can e-mail me at mokwaw@yahoo.com

Noah Zark · Post by **Noah Zark** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:16 am

I spent some time in the Fremont/Angola area about 10 yrs ago and would run down to Ft Wayne now and again to some industrial supply houses (Grainger, MSC) for things for work.

Ft. Wayne has lost a lot of manufacturing jobs in the electronics, auto parts, and auto assembly industries to name a few. As mentioned above, the south and east sections can be rough. North and West are booming with construction in townhouses, single-family homes, restaurants, shopping centers, etc.

Surrounding area is mostly flat farmland, but there's lots of nice smaller communities all around Ft Wayne, great places to find a home without too much of a commute to the city. Larger towns have natural gas service, but get much out of town and you'll have a big white, tan, or gray LP tank in your yard that's expensive to keep filled.

Summers are hot and humid with the predictable afternoon thunderstorm each day. Tornadoes and alerts are common. Winters are cold and blowy, with a good bit of snow.

Big change from SoCal, but IN gun laws are among most pro-gun of all states. The "Indy 1500" show west of Indianapolis is one of the larger gun shows in the country.

Semper Fi, and best of luck,

Noah

Haycock · Post by **Haycock** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:39 am

I'm there 4 - 6 times a year on business. I like it. Small city... stuff to do... nice people.

Haycock

FWiedner · Post by **FWiedner** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:07 am

The only thing I ever liked about Indiana was the people. Friendly girls.

Other than that, cold wet winters suck.

While I have lived in Texas, not a single vehicle has sped by to splatter even a single drop of dirty gray street-slush onto my warm dry self.

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:12 pm

Cool thanks for the info on the gun shows. Y'all will be seeing me there just look for the Marine in uniform. We will look into the north west area as y'all suggest to see what we can come up with.
Thanks for the help

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 8:54 pm

Well we found a place just north of Ft Wayne between the Fort and Auburn. Nice log home on 2 acres out in the country. Its nice to have a home. Now we just need to call the movers in the morning and set up to have them deliver our stuff.

Just to let you locals know I am going to be hitting you all up for some places to hunt this deer season. Once we get unpacked y'all are welcome over for BBQ.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 9:00 pm

JReed wrote:...Just to let you locals know I am going to be hitting you all up for some places to hunt this deer season. Once we get unpacked y'all are welcome over for BBQ.

Good luck there. I live too close to Chicago, within a large "Bow Only" Urban Deer Zone and don't know any land owners south of I-94. You will probably have better luck networking than I will - AND, if you live on 2 acres you can likely successfully hunt your own property.

OTOH, if you have a Hunter's Safety Card, as soon as you get an IN Drivers License, get a Hunting License and I will put you on my lottery application for the Dunes State Park Reduction Hunt.

Even if we get Drawn, there's no guarantees, but I did pop two nice does within 35 feet and a few seconds of each other last year...

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 9:21 pm

Old Ironsights wrote:
JReed wrote:...OTOH, if you have a Hunter's Safety Card, as soon as you get an IN Drivers License, get a Hunting License and I will put you on my lottery application for the Dunes State Park Reduction Hunt.

Even if we get Drawn, there's no guarantees, but I did pop two nice does within 35 feet and a few seconds of each other last year...

Nice thing about active mil and stationed here I dont need to get a In. DL to get a res hunting license all I need is my orders Mil I.D. and my huters safety card.

.

That sound great about the Dunes I hope we get drawn. Is it archery, firearms, or ML?

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 9:24 pm

JReed wrote:
Old Ironsights wrote:
JReed wrote:...OTOH, if you have a Hunter's Safety Card, as soon as you get an IN Drivers License, get a Hunting License and I will put you on my lottery application for the Dunes State Park Reduction Hunt.

Even if we get Drawn, there's no guarantees, but I did pop two nice does within 35 feet and a few seconds of each other last year...
Nice thing about active mil and stationed here I dont need to get a In. DL to get a res hunting license all I need is my orders Mil I.D. and my huters safety card. .

That sound great about the Dunes I hope we get drawn. Is it archery, firearms, or ML?

Your pick. They don't care. All they want is dead deer. Last year you got to shoot/keep up to three (max one antlered) in addition to any tags you bought for the rest of the season. I have a "climber" treestand, but have never used it. I like walking on "patrol".

Here's the Regs: http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3188.htm

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 9:32 pm

OI whats a tree stand?

I have a 50 state battery and can hunt in any clime and place with a choice of weapons. I just picked up a PSE compound bow I also have a .50 ML and a 94 trapper in .45colt. So as you can see I am set for Indiana deer

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 9:59 pm

Glad you found a spot to rest your feet at night!!!

Old Time Hunter · Post by **Old Time Hunter** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:53 pm

Somebody probably already said this...it's flat. The high spot is the overpass on the freeway, you can probably see OI hang'n out is window on the west side of the state.

OD* · Post by OD* » Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:48 am

JReed wrote:Well we found a place just north of Ft Wayne between the Fort and Auburn. Nice log home on 2 acres out in the country. Its nice to have a home. Now we just need to call the movers in the morning and set up to have them deliver our stuff.

Just to let you locals know I am going to be hitting you all up for some places to hunt this deer season. Once we get unpacked y'all are welcome over for BBQ.

That is a real nice area Jeremy, congratulations. Once you get to hunting the area, you'll find it really isn't flat.

Post by **AmBraCol** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 11:20 am

OD wrote:
JReed wrote:Well we found a place just north of Ft Wayne between the Fort and Auburn. Nice log home on 2 acres out in the country. Its nice to have a home. Now we just need to call the movers in the morning and set up to have them deliver our stuff.

Just to let you locals know I am going to be hitting you all up for some places to hunt this deer season. Once we get unpacked y'all are welcome over for BBQ.
That is a real nice area Jeremy, congratulations. Once you get to hunting the area, you'll find it really isn't flat.

Flat is a relative term. After years in the Andes, even parts of the Rocky Mountains look flat in comparison...

OD* · Post by OD* » Wed Jul 09, 2008 11:30 am

AmBraCol wrote:
Flat is a relative term. After years in the Andes, even parts of the Rocky Mountains look flat in comparison...

There you go, absolutely true, Paul.

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 11:45 am

Well after growing up in SoCal with all the foothills and mountains I must say y'all are right it is flat out here.

OD* · Post by OD* » Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:02 pm

You're in state currently? Stop by Tomlinson's Shooting Supplies in Churubusco sometime, I'll buy ya lunch.

We would be flat compared to SoCal, we are absolutely mountainous compared to northwest Ohio.

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:07 pm

OD
Will do I will have to get on MapQuest to find out where it is.
We have the movers coming on friday to deliver our stuff. Tonight is our last night in a hotel thank God cant wait to be in our own place again. We have been homeless since the 26th of June while we made our way out here so it will be nice.

Bigahh · Post by **Bigahh** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:30 pm

Jeremy,

I have a good friend in FT. Wayne who is a big fisherman. I visited him for a weekend a few years ago, and some of the finest Bluegill fishing I ever had came from the N.E. corner of Indiana at a chain of lakes. Your boys will love it!

OD* · Post by OD* » Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:38 pm

JReed wrote:OD
Will do I will have to get on MapQuest to find out where it is.
We have the movers coming on friday to deliver our stuff. Tonight is our last night in a hotel thank God cant wait to be in our own place again. We have been homeless since the 26th of June while we made our way out here so it will be nice.

It's not far, Jeremy.

Noah Zark · Post by **Noah Zark** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:32 am

JReed wrote:Well we found a place just north of Ft Wayne between the Fort and Auburn. Nice log home on 2 acres out in the country. Its nice to have a home.

That's nice country there between Auburn and FW. Flat, but nice. You got all the amenities you need in either direction.

You on the west or east of I-69?

Noah

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 12:16 pm

Just east of I-69 about 3 miles south of Auburn. We have been busting our buts unpacking boxes and getting the yard and the trees under control. Just got our our internet and stuff turned on today I was going thru withdrawls being away from the forum this long.

Post by **AmBraCol** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:26 pm

Well sir, welcome home. Since you went on vacation the recruit became a Marine and graduated. He's on boot leave right now - leaves Sunday to head back northwest. Like I figured, he's had some great stories to tell. Boot camp is about 90% mental - and he's mental.

He's still complaining about "how easy it was" - while laughing at some of the antics of his platoon mates. Anyway, as I was saying before I digressed - welcome home. We're glad you're back online.

Mokwaw · Post by **Mokwaw** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 2:42 am

Glad to hear you're getting settled in. Since you're living just south of Auburn be sure and run up there and see the Auburn, Dusenberg museum lots of nice old cars there. Also, just north up I-69 at Angola, is Pokagon State Park, nice lodge with restaurant, lake, horse trails etc. nice place to spend a lazy summer afternoon. In the winter they have the Giant bob sled ride open also. The DNR usually has a deer cull hunt there every year, so you might want to check that out. Should be able to find info at www.in.gov/dnr/ or the park officals may have info too.

popeye44 · Post by **popeye44** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 1:46 pm

Its been a few years but from what I remember the girls are free spirits and eat lots of beef and potatoes.
I remember them being well rounded too. Nice people and they like guns too. They welcomed this southern
boy with open arms.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 2:01 pm

JReed wrote:Just east of I-69 about 3 miles south of Auburn. We have been busting our buts unpacking boxes and getting the yard and the trees under control. Just got our our internet and stuff turned on today I was going thru withdrawls being away from the forum this long.

You must be pretty close to the airport then... Nice little lake near there too.

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 2:54 pm

Old Ironsights wrote:
JReed wrote:Just east of I-69 about 3 miles south of Auburn. We have been busting our buts unpacking boxes and getting the yard and the trees under control. Just got our our internet and stuff turned on today I was going thru withdrawls being away from the forum this long.
You must be pretty close to the airport then... Nice little lake near there too.

Yep just down the road from the Dekalb airport.

Post by **Hobie** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 3:32 pm

Ok, now guys, give the guy some recruiting leads. He needs prospects!

Jeremy, I'm glad you're getting settled in. When you meet up with OD, find out what neat guns he's been bogarting over there.

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 3:36 pm

Hobie wrote:Ok, now guys, give the guy some recruiting leads. He needs prospects!

Jeremy, I'm glad you're getting settled in. When you meet up with OD, find out what neat guns he's been bogarting over there.

Will do.

OD* · Post by OD* » Fri Jul 18, 2008 3:38 pm

I snagged one recently that's right up your ally, Hobie, a really nice Rock Island Arsenal rework.

Old No7 · Post by **Old No7** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 6:15 pm

Hey Jeremy:

Congrats on completing the move and good luck on getting settled in.

That log house on 2 country acres sounds like just the thing for you, Dee and the boys. Enjoy your new home!

Guess you won't be seeing the sun set over the ocean -- that still threw me when I saw it when I visited you at Camp P in March -- the sun is supposed to rise off the ocean!!!

(At least where I call home...)

Tight groups, and tight lines! The boys do like to fish, right???

Old No7