TITLE 312 NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION

Under IC 4-22-2-23, the Natural Resources Commission intends to adopt a rule concerning the following:

OVERVIEW: Amends 312 IAC 9-2-9 to clarify requirements for chasing wild animals with dogs during the hunting or taking season. Amends 312 IAC 9-3-14 by removing the restrictions for nonresidents, restrictions on carrying firearms, and the license requirements to carry a handgun while chasing raccoons and opossums. Amends 312 IAC 9-4-2 by adding license requirements for taking waterfowl. Amends 312 IAC 9-4-5 to add the season for taking lesser snow geese and Ross's geese and specify license requirements for taking geese. Amends 312 IAC 9-4-7.2 to remove Rusty's blackbirds from the list of species of birds that can be taken without a permit. Amends 312 IAC 9-4-15 by adding the monk parakeet as an exempted species of bird. Amends 312 IAC 9-6-1 by adding a definition of Asian carp, specifying the common names for the species of black bass, and amending scientific names. Amends 312 IAC 9-6-6 by modifying the location of one area closed to fishing and adding a new area. Amends 312 IAC 9-7-2 by adding the use of the crossbow, adding the ability to take Asian carp by various methods, removing Oliver Lake where an individual may take smelt, and adding bowfishing equipment and the use of the crossbow for taking certain species of fish on rivers and streams. Amends 312 IAC 9-7-3 by removing Gibson Lake from a location where channel catfish may be taken without regard to a bag limit. Amends 312 IAC 9-7-12 governing the size limit of walleye taken from the Elkhart River in Elkhart county. Amends 312 IAC 9-7-13 by eliminating the daily bag limit for lake trout. Amends 312 IAC 9-7-16 to allow the use of a crossbow and prohibit snagging on the Ohio River. Amends 312 IAC 9-9-3 by removing the references to mussel harvesters and buyers licenses. Amends 312 IAC 9-9-4 by adding the rayed bean as an endangered species of mussel. Amends 312 IAC 9-10-10 governing the special hunting permit for a person with a disability by clarifying requirements and eliminating deadlines for submitting applications. Effective 30 days after filing with the Publisher. Questions may be sent to the Division of Hearings, Natural Resources Commission, Indiana Government Center North, 100 North Senate Avenue, Room N501, Indianapolis, IN 46204-2200, at nrcrules@nrc.in.gov, or by telephone at (317) 232-4699. Comments may be sent by regular mail to the address above or through http://www.in.gov/nrc/2377.htm. Statutory authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-22-2-6; IC 14-22-34-17.

For purposes of IC 4-22-2-28.1, the Small Business Regulatory Coordinator for this rule is:

Linnea Petercheff

Staff Specialist

Division of Fish and Wildlife

Department of Natural Resources

402 West Washington Street, Room W273

Indianapolis, IN 46204

(317) 233-6527

lpetercheff@dnr.in.gov

For purposes of IC 4-22-2-28.1, the Small Business Ombudsman designated by IC 5-28-17-5 is:

Eric P. Shields

Indiana Economic Development Corporation

One North Capitol, Suite 700

Indianapolis, IN 46204

(317) 234-3997

smallbizombudsman@iedc.in.gov

Resources available to regulated entities through the small business ombudsman include the ombudsman's duties stated in IC 5-28-17-5, specifically IC 5-28-17-5(9), investigating and attempting to resolve any matter regarding compliance by a small business with a law, rule, or policy administered by a state agency, either as a party to a proceeding or as a mediator.

DIN: 20120711-IR-312120403NIA

Composed: Apr 26,2024 12:45:41AM EDT

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