Local Resident Found Guilty of Hunting in National Lakeshore

Date: May 26, 2015
Contact: Ken Mehne, 219-395-1658

On November 15th of 2013 a National Park Service Ranger observed a hunting tree stand in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore near Furnessville in Porter County. An investigation was started and over the course of the next few days two additional hunting tree stands were located in the park. The locations were mapped and confirmed to be inside the park boundary. On November 20th, the ranger observed an individual in one of the tree stands located inside the park boundary. When contacted, the hunter, identified as Donald Dolph, 57, of Michigan City, was observed to be in possession of a hunting rifle and was advised he was inside the park boundary. Dolph was also advised that hunting inside the National Lakeshore is prohibited. At the time of contact, Dolph was issued citations for hunting in a national park and unlawful possession of a weapon in a national park.

In March of 2015, Dolph appeared in Federal District Court in Hammond, Indiana and pled not guilty to the charges. A bench trial was held and District Court Judge John Martin found Dolph guilty on both counts.

Anyone who observes or has information pertaining to any violations that occur within the park should contact the National Lakeshore’s tip line at 1-800-PARK-TIP (1-800-727-5847).

www.nps.gov/indu
 
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is part of the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 407 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.