TITLE 312 NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION

Temporarily amends 312 IAC 9 to govern noncommercial hunts at specified state parks. Under IC 14-22-6-13, the Director finds white-tailed deer have caused, and will continue to cause, measurable damage to the ecological balance within these properties, and the ecological balance within these properties will not be maintained unless action is taken to control their populations. Effective July 1, 2016.

SECTION 1. (a) Notwithstanding 312 IAC 9-2-11, 312 IAC 8-2, and any other provision governing hunting a wild animal within a state park, individuals qualified under this SECTION may hunt white-tailed deer on November 14 through November 15, 2016, and November 28 through November 29, 2016, at the following sites:

(1) Brown County State Park.

(2) Chain O'Lakes State Park.

(3) Cave River Valley Natural Area.

(4) Charlestown State Park.

(5) Clifty Falls State Park.

(6) Fort Harrison State Park.

(7) Indiana Dunes State Park.

(8) McCormick's Creek State Park.

(9) Ouabache State Park.

(10) Pokagon State Park.

(11) Prophetstown State Park.

(12) Shakamak State Park.

(13) Spring Mill State Park.

(14) Summit Lake State Park.

(15) Tippecanoe River State Park.

(16) Turkey Run State Park.

(17) Versailles State Park.

(18) Whitewater Memorial State Park.

(b) In order to apply for a license under this SECTION, an individual must be at least eighteen (18) years old by November 14, 2016, and possess:

(1) at least one (1) valid resident deer license issued authorized in IC 14-22-12-1 to take deer; or

(2) possess a lifetime comprehensive hunting license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4), before its repeal; or

(3) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5), before its repeal.

(c) All eligible applications under this SECTION will be compiled into a draw as follows:

(1) For each state park identified in this SECTION other than Clifty Falls State Park and Fort Harrison State Park, the department shall conduct the first draw from applications submitted by applicants who have completed a course of instruction in hunter safety under IC 14-22-35.

(2) For Clifty Falls State Park and Fort Harrison State Park, the department shall conduct the first draw from applications submitted by applicants who have completed a course of instruction in either hunter safety under IC 14-22-35 or International Bowhunter Education.

(d) An application for a license under this SECTION must be completed on a department form available on the Internet under "Reserved Hunt Info" at www.IndianaOutdoor.in.gov. In order to qualify an applicant for a license, an application must be submitted online at www.IndianaOutdoor.in.gov before August 22, 2016. The department shall begin accepting online applications on July 1, 2016, at 8 a.m., EDT.

(e) Individuals may apply as a single applicant. Up to three (3) individuals may be submitted as a unit on one (1) application so that all or none of the applicants will be selected to participate in the hunt. The submission by an individual of more than one (1) application per period disqualifies the individual (and any other individual submitting as a unit with the individual) from participating in the drawing. For the purposes of this subsection, one (1) "period" is November 14 through November 15, 2016, and the other "period" is November 28 through November 29, 2016.

(f) Any drawing required by this SECTION shall be conducted on a random basis. Applicants will be notified of their draw status online at "Reserved Hunt Info" at www.IndianaOutdoor.in.gov after September 2, 2016.

(g) Each individual issued a license under this SECTION may be randomly assigned to specific management units with designated parking assignments. Each license holder must comply with any requirements set forth in the assignment. Each license holder must check-in and check-out at a designated area upon each arrival and departure to or from the property.

(h) The form of the license under this SECTION shall be as determined by the department. Each participant in the hunt must possess evidence of the license as specified by the department while participating.

(i) Shooting hours will start one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise and conclude at 4:00 p.m. EST (3:00 p.m. CST).

(j) Individuals participating in a reduction period on a site identified in this SECTION must wear hunter orange that meets the specifications set forth in IC 14-22-38-7 at all times, including:

(1) a hat or cap; and

(2) a vest, coat, jacket, or coveralls.

(k) During the hunt, an individual must not take more than:

(1) Three (3) total deer.

(2) Included among the total deer taken, there must not be more than one (1) antlered deer.

(l) A deer taken under this SECTION does not apply to any bag limit for taking deer established by 312 IAC 9.

(m) All deer must be delivered to a designated check station within the state park.

(n) An individual must not enter a state park described in this SECTION during the following periods from:

(1) 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST) on Sunday, November 13 through 8 a.m. EST on Wednesday, November 16, 2016; or

(2) 8 p.m. EST on Sunday, November 27 through 8 a.m. EST (7 a.m. CST) on Wednesday, November 30, 2016;

(o) An individual shall enter a state park only at a site designated by the department.

(p) In order to enter a state park, an individual must be one (1) of the following:

(1) An individual granted a license under this SECTION.

(2) A representative of the media.

(3) An employee of the department.

(4) Another individual with credentials supplied by the department.

(q) At all properties identified above, except Fort Harrison State Park and Clifty Falls State Park, deer may be taken only by firearms meeting the specifications set forth at 312 IAC 9-3-3. At Fort Harrison State Park and Clifty Falls State Park, deer may only be taken by bows and arrows and crossbows meeting the specifications set forth at 312 IAC 9-3-3.

(r) Only non-penetrating tree stands are permitted at any property and ground blinds are prohibited at all firearms properties. Ground blinds as defined at 312 IAC 9-1-7.6 and meeting specifications set forth at 312 IAC 9-2-15 are permitted at archery properties (Fort Harrison State Park and Clifty Falls State Park).

SECTION 2. This document takes effect July 1, 2016.

SECTION 3. This document expires on January 1, 2017.

DIN: 20160518-IR-312160176ERA

Composed: May 17,2024 3:55:46PM EDT

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