TITLE 312 NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION

Temporarily amends 312 IAC 9 to govern noncommercial hunts at Spring Mill State Park, Summit Lake State Park, Versailles State Park, and Whitewater Memorial State Park. Under IC 4-22-2-37.1, IC 14-22-2-6, IC 14-10-2-5, and IC 14-22-6-13 (applicable to state parks), the director of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) adopts the emergency rule set forth in this document. This emergency rule is adopted with the awareness that the regulation of wild animals, as well as a responsibility for the welfare of flora and other fauna within Indiana state parks, is the responsibility of DNR. The director finds that the densities of the Canada goose populations at Spring Mill State Park, Summit Lake State Park, Versailles State Park, and Whitewater Memorial State Park have risen to levels that pose threats to the ecology of aquatic and terrestrial communities present, and the personal safety of park patrons. Current conditions that make this emergency rule necessary include eroded shorelines, increased sedimentation, and large amounts of goose waste in areas of high visitation and recreation. Effective November 4, 2022.

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 of this document may hunt Canada geese at Summit Lake State Park, Versailles State Park, and Whitewater Memorial State Park each day from November 19, 2022, through February 12, 2023, and Spring Mill State Park each day from November 26, 2022, through February 12, 2023, during the following hours:

(1) from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise and continuing for three (3) hours after sunrise; and

(2) from three (3) hours before sunset, and continuing until sunset.

(b) A Canada goose may be lawfully taken under this SECTION only by the use of a firearm that may be lawfully used to hunt geese in Indiana as determined under 50 CFR 20.

(c) In order to apply for a daily hunting permit or participate under this SECTION, the applicant must be at least eighteen (18) years of age, and satisfy each of the following requirements:

(1) Possess a current Indiana hunting license issued under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(2), IC 14-22-12-1(a)(3), IC 14-22-12-1.7, IC 14-22-12-7(a)(2) before its repeal, IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4) before its repeal, or IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5) before its repeal to take Canada geese.

(2) Possess a current Indiana waterfowl stamp privilege issued under IC 14-22-7-4 to take Canada geese.

(3) Possess a current Harvest Information Program registration number issued under 312 IAC 9-4-2.

(4) Possess a current and signed federal duck stamp to take Canada geese under 50 CFR 20.

(d) Notwithstanding subsection (c) of this SECTION, an individual less than eighteen (18) years of age may apply for a daily hunting permit or participate under this SECTION if they satisfy each of the following requirements:

(1) Possess a current Indiana hunting license issued under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(2), IC 14-22-12-1(a)(3), IC 14-22-12-1.7, IC 14-22-12-1(a)(24), IC 14-22-12-7(a)(2) before its repeal, IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4) before its repeal, or IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5) before its repeal to take Canada geese.

(2) Possess a current Indiana waterfowl stamp privilege issued under IC 14-22-7-4 to take Canada geese if not in possession of a youth license issued under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(24).

(3) Possess a current Harvest Information Program registration number issued under 312 IAC 9-4-2 if the individual is at least sixteen (16) years of age.

(4) Possess a current and signed federal duck stamp to take Canada geese under 50 CFR 20 if the individual is at least sixteen (16) years of age.

(5) Be accompanied by a hunting participant at least eighteen (18) years of age.

(e) An application for a daily hunting permit to participate in the hunt established in this SECTION must be completed as follows:

(1) The application must be completed by the individual primary hunter who will participate in the hunt.

(2) The application must be completed at the Spring Mill State Park, Summit Lake State Park, Versailles State Park, or Whitewater Memorial State Park property office:

(A) after November 4, 2022; and

(B) at least one (1) day prior to the individual's desired hunt date.

(f) Individual primary hunters can bring up to three (3) secondary participants. All secondary participants must satisfy all of the requirements in this SECTION.

(g) All eligible applications under this SECTION will be assigned dates on a first come-first served basis, until the pre-established number of hunters is met.

(h) Each individual issued a daily hunting permit under this SECTION shall receive an assignment to specific management units with designated parking assignments and must comply with the requirements set forth in the assignment.

(i) The form of the daily hunting permit issued under this SECTION shall be as determined by the DNR. Each participant in the hunt must possess and display evidence of the daily hunting permit issued under this SECTION as specified by the department.

(j) During the hunt, an individual must not take more than the daily bag limit established under 50 CFR 20.

(k) A participant must check-in and out at the main gate of the state park, or other designated location, and must possess:

(1) a daily hunting permit issued under this SECTION;

(2) all current hunting licenses and stamps required to hunt Canada geese; and

(3) a Harvest Information Program registration number issued under 312 IAC 9-4-2.

(l) An individual who takes a Canada goose must record the harvest on the daily hunting permit issued under this SECTION and deposit the daily hunting permit issued under this SECTION at a designated location before leaving the state park.

(m) An individual who participates in a hunt under this SECTION must only use approved non-toxic shot. All legal shell lengths are authorized.

(n) All decoys, portable blinds, and other equipment must be attended at all times and must be removed from the properties after each assigned day. Equipment may only be set up during the assigned day.

(o) An individual who participates in the hunt must abide by all state and federal laws regarding the hunting of migratory game birds and waterfowl.

SECTION 2. This document takes effect November 4, 2022.

SECTION 3. This document expires at the close of the hunting period on February 12, 2023.

DIN: 20221102-IR-312220330ERA

Composed: May 04,2024 7:51:21AM EDT

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