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 March 1, 2021.

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 15 through November 16, 2021, and November 29 through November 30, 2021, at the following sites:

(1) Cave River Valley Natural Area, a portion of Spring Mill State Park.

(2) Chain O'Lakes State Park.

(3) Clifty Falls State Park.

(4) Fort Harrison State Park.

(5) Indiana Dunes State Park.

(6) Lincoln State Park.

(7) Ouabache State Park.

(8) Pokagon State Park.

(9) Potato Creek State Park.

(10) Shakamak State Park.

(11) Spring Mill State Park.

(12) Summit Lake State Park.

(13) Tippecanoe River State Park.

(14) Trine State Recreation Area, a portion of Pokagon/Trine State Park.

(15) Turkey Run State Park.

(16) Versailles State Park.

(17) Whitewater Memorial State Park.

(b) In order to apply for a license under this SECTION, an individual must be at least eighteen (18) years of age by November 15, 2021, and possess one (1) of the following:

(1) A valid resident license to take deer issued pursuant to IC 14-22-12-1.

(2) A lifetime comprehensive hunting license issued pursuant to IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4), before its repeal.

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

(c) All eligible applicants under this SECTION will be entered into a random drawing. In order for an applicant to qualify for a license, an application must be submitted online at https://secure.in.gov/apps/dnr/portal/home before August 9, 2021. The department shall begin accepting online applications starting July 5, 2021.

(d) 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 15 through November 16, 2021, and the other period is November 29 through November 30, 2021.

(e) The drawing described in this SECTION shall be conducted on a random basis. Applicants can check the results of the drawing after August 23, 2021, online at https://secure.in.gov/apps/dnr/portal/home.

(f) 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.

(g) 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 at all times while participating in the management hunt.

(h) Shooting hours will start thirty (30) minutes prior to sunrise, and conclude at 4:00 p.m. EST (3:00 p.m. CST).

(i) Individuals participating in a management hunt 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.

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

(1) Three (3) total deer.

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

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

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

(m) Notwithstanding subsections (n) and (o), an individual must not enter a state park described in this SECTION during the following periods from:

(1) 8:00 p.m. EST (7:00 p.m. CST) on Sunday, November 14 through 8:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, November 17, 2021.

(2) 8:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, November 28 through 8:00 a.m. EST (7:00 a.m. CST) on Wednesday, December 1, 2021.

(n) An individual participating in the management hunt shall enter a state park only at a site designated by the department.

(o) 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.

(5) A non-hunting individual at least eighteen (18) years of age by November 15, 2021, who is assisting an individual granted a license under this SECTION that possesses a Persons with Disabilities Hunting Permit issued under 312 IAC 9-10-10.

(p) Except for Clifty Falls State Park, Fort Harrison State Park, and Trine State Recreation Area, deer may be taken only by firearms meeting the specifications set forth at 312 IAC 9-3-3. At Clifty Falls State Park, Fort Harrison State Park, and Trine State Recreation Area, deer may only be taken by bows and arrows and crossbows meeting the specifications set forth at 312 IAC 9-3-3.

(q) 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 (Clifty Falls State Park, Fort Harrison State Park, and Trine State Recreation Area).

(r) An individual participating in the management hunt shall not possess or consume alcoholic beverages at any site designated in SECTION 1(a) during the period for which they were drawn.

SECTION 2. This document expires January 1, 2022.

DIN: 20210224-IR-312210068ERA

Composed: May 17,2024 7:07:38AM EDT

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