Under IC 4-22-2-24, notice is hereby given that on May 3, 2012, at 6:00 p.m., at the Plainfield Public Library, 1120 Stafford Road, Plainfield, Indiana, the Natural Resources Commission will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to 312 IAC 9-3-2, which provides general requirements and licenses for hunting deer, to remove the expiration language to continue the requirement that an individual must not take more than one antlered deer during the special youth, archery, firearm, or muzzleloader seasons.

IC 4-22-2-24(d)(3) Justification Statement: 312 IAC 9-3-2, which allows only one antlered deer to be taken per year in the special youth, archery, firearm, or muzzleloaders seasons combined, has been in place for 10 years as of September 1, 2012. The antlerless harvest has reached its highest level in history, which benefits the DNR management strategy. The age structure in Indiana's male deer has shifted toward older deer, which may support hunter retention. The existing rule allowing only one deer to be taken does not impact the DNR's ability to manage Indiana's deer herd. The DNR has the statutory authority to allow the taking and possession of wild animals and to establish the bag limit, methods, locations, and means of taking wild animals in IC 14-22-2-6. The DNR is also required to develop rules that are based upon the welfare of the wild animal, the relationship of the wild animal to other animals, and the welfare of the people. The number of individuals who are directly affected by this rule amendment is expected to be approximately 170,000 resident deer hunters and 9,700 nonresident deer hunters. This information was obtained from the DNR, Division of Fish and Wildlife's license holder databases.

Copies of these rules are now on file at the Indiana Government Center North, 100 North Senate Avenue, Room N501 and Legislative Services Agency, Indiana Government Center North, 100 North Senate Avenue, Room N201, Indianapolis, Indiana and are open for public inspection.