TITLE 312 NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
Notice of First Public Comment Period
LSA Document #24-49
DEER HUNTING LICENSE AMENDMENTS
The Natural Resources Commission (commission) is soliciting public comment on amendments to and the addition of rules at
312 IAC 9 that regulate deer hunting and wild turkey hunting. The commission seeks comment on the affected citations listed and any other provisions of Title 312 that may be affected by this rulemaking.
Basic Purpose and Background
The proposed amendments and additions do the following: Add
312 IAC 9-1-17 to define "youth". Amend
312 IAC 9-2-15 to make a technical and conforming change. Amend
312 IAC 9-3-2 regarding a license to hunt a deer to: (1) remove the crossbow license; (2) establish a multiple season antlerless deer license; (3) prohibit taking an antlerless deer with a firearm on certain department of natural resources (department) properties; (4) set a new statewide limit on taking an antlerless deer to six antlerless deer per year; and (5) authorize the department to allow an individual to take an antlerless deer if a harvested deer is unfit for human consumption. Amends
312 IAC 9-3-3 to: (1) remove the reference to the special antlerless season; (2) describe a cartridge that is legal to hunt a deer; (3) change the caliber for a muzzleloading long gun to .40 caliber; (4) change the dates on which a portable tree or ground blind may be placed on certain department properties; and (5) remove the restriction on using an infrared detector to retrieve a deer. Amend
312 IAC 9-3-4 to: (1) establish the number of antlerless deer a youth hunter may take during the youth hunting season on certain department properties; (2) provide that one antlered deer may be taken statewide; (3) set deer reduction zones; (4) set the antlerless bag limit per county; and (5) eliminate the special antlerless firearm
season. Amend
312 IAC 9-4-11 to make technical and conforming changes.
For purposes of
IC 4-22-2-28.1, the Small Business Regulatory Coordinator for this rule is:
Linnea Petercheff
Licensing and Permits Supervisor
Division of Fish and Wildlife
Department of Natural Resources
Indiana Government Center South
402 West Washington Street, Room W273
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-6527
lpetercheff@dnr.in.gov
Matthew Jaworowski
Small Business Ombudsman
Indiana Economic Development Corporation
One North Capitol, Suite 700
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 650-0126
majaworowski@iedc.in.gov
Resources available to regulated entities through the small business ombudsman include the ombudsman's duties stated in
IC 5-28-17-6, specifically
IC 5-28-17-6(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.
REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
At this time, the commission is soliciting public comments on the proposed rule. Comments may be submitted in one of the following ways:
(1) By mail or common carrier to the following address:
LSA Document #24-49 Deer Hunting License Amendments
Billie Franklin
Natural Resources Commission, Division of Hearings
Indiana Government Center North
100 North Senate Avenue, Room N103
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2273
(2) By electronic mail to bifranklin@nrc.in.gov. To confirm timely delivery of submitted comments, please request a document receipt when sending the electronic mail. PLEASE NOTE: Electronic mail comments will not be considered part of the official written comment period unless they are sent to the address indicated in this notice.
(3) Attend scheduled public hearing.
All comments must be postmarked or time stamped not later than March 20, 2024.
Copies of the rule, Regulatory Analysis, appendices referenced in the Regulatory Analysis, and materials incorporated by reference (if applicable) are on file at the Natural Resources Commission, Indiana Government Center North, 100 North Senate Avenue, Room N103, Indianapolis, Indiana and are available for public inspection. Copies of the rule, Regulatory Analysis, and appendices referenced in the Regulatory Analysis are available at the Natural Resources Commission office.
If the commission does not receive substantive comments during the public comment period or public hearing, the rule may be adopted with text that is the same as or does not substantially differ from the text of the proposed rule published in this notice.
Authority:
IC 14-10-2-4;
IC 14-22-2-6
Sec. 17. "Youth" means an individual less than eighteen (18) years of age on the date of a hunt.
(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 9-1-17)
312 IAC 9-2-15 General requirements for hunter orange on ground blinds
Authority:
IC 14-10-2-4;
IC 14-22-2-6
Sec. 15. An
occupied individual may not occupy a ground blind
must have unless the blind has at least one hundred forty-four (144) square inches of hunter orange
that is visible on each side of the blind from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to one-half (1/2) hour after sunset when the hunter is required to wear hunter orange
in accordance with under IC 14-22-38-7 or
312 IAC 9-3-2(t). 312 IAC 9-3-2.
312 IAC 9-3-2 General requirements and licenses for hunting deer
Authority:
IC 14-10-2-4;
IC 14-22-2-6
Sec. 2. (a) This section and sections 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10 of this rule govern: the:
(1) hunting;
(2) transportation; transporting; and
(3) disposal; disposing of;
of a white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).
(b) Species of deer other than white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are exempted from the following:
(1) This section.
(2) Sections 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10 of this rule.
(b) "Deer license bundle" means a deer hunting license that replaces a valid deer hunting license and allows an individual to take one (1) antlered deer and two (2) antlerless deer, under this section and sections 3 and 4 of this rule, during the following seasons combined during one (1) license year:
(1) Special youth season.
(2) Archery season.
(3) Firearms season.
(4) Muzzleloader season.
(c) "Multiple season antlerless deer license" means a deer hunting license that allows an individual to take one (1) antlerless deer using the equipment authorized for that season under section 3 of this rule.
(d) An individual who claims the exemption provided under this subsection must a deer taken is not a white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) shall prove the deer is other than not a white-tailed deer.
(c) The licenses identified in this section are nonexclusive. (e) An individual may apply for one (1) or more of these multiple licenses to hunt deer under this section.
(1) unless the individual possesses a valid completed, and signed license authorized to hunt a deer under this section bearing the individual's name of the individual; or
(2) with a deer license to hunt a deer under this section issued to another individual.
(e) (g) A youth hunter may take a deer during the youth deer season established in under section 4(b) 4 of this rule only if the youth hunter:
(1) is issued a license to hunt deer with: under:
(B) a nonresident youth deer firearms license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(29);
(C) a nonresident youth deer muzzleloader license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(30);
(D) a nonresident youth deer archery license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(31);
(E) a nonresident youth extra deer crossbow license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
(F) (E) a nonresident youth extra deer license bundle under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
(G) (F) a nonresident youth extra deer
bonus multiple season antlerless license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
(H) (G) a lifetime comprehensive hunting license under
IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4) before its repeal;
(I) (H) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under
IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5) before its repeal; or
(J) (I) an apprentice license of the types identified in clauses (A) through
(G) (F) under
IC 14-22-12-1.7; or
(f) (h) An individual may take a deer with a long bow, a recurve bow, or a compound bow, or crossbow during the archery season established in under section 4(c) 4 of this rule only if the individual:
(1) is issued a license to hunt deer by bow and arrows with arrow or crossbow under:
(B) a nonresident deer archery license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(17);
(D) a nonresident youth deer archery license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(31);
(E) a resident extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18);
(F) a nonresident extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19);
(E) (G) a resident extra deer license bundle under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18);
(F) (H) a nonresident extra deer license bundle under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19);
(G) (I) a nonresident youth extra deer license bundle under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
(J) a nonresident youth extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
(H) (K) a lifetime comprehensive hunting license under
IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4) before its repeal;
(I) (L) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under
IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5) before its repeal; or
(J) (M) an apprentice license of the types identified in clauses (A) through
(G) (I) under
IC 14-22-12-1.7; or
(g) An individual may take a deer with a crossbow during the archery season established in section 4(c) of this rule only if:
(1) issued a license to hunt deer with:
(B) a nonresident extra deer crossbow license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(17);
(D) a nonresident youth extra deer crossbow license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(31);
(E) a resident extra deer license bundle under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18);
(F) a nonresident extra deer license bundle under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19);
(G) a nonresident youth extra deer license bundle under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
(H) a lifetime comprehensive hunting license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4) before its repeal;
(I) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5) before its repeal; or
(J) an apprentice license of the types identified in clauses (A) through (G) under IC 14-22-12-1.7; or
(h) (i) Except as provided in subsection (v), an individual may take a deer with a firearm during the firearms season established in under section 4(e) 4 of this rule only if the individual:
(1) is issued a license to hunt deer by with firearms with: under:
(B) a nonresident deer firearms license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(15);
(D) a nonresident youth deer firearms license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(29);
(E) a resident extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18);
(F) a nonresident extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19);
(E) (G) a resident extra deer license bundle under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18);
(F) (H) a nonresident extra deer license bundle under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19);
(G) (I) a nonresident youth extra deer license bundle under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
(J) a nonresident youth extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
(H) (K) a lifetime comprehensive hunting license under
IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4) before its repeal;
(I) (L) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under
IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5) before its repeal; or
(J) (M) an apprentice license of the types identified in clauses (A) through
(G) (I) under
IC 14-22-12-1.7; or
(i) (j) An individual may take a deer with a muzzleloader during the muzzleloader season established in under section 4(f) 4 of this rule only if the individual:
(1) is issued a license to hunt deer by a muzzleloader with:
(B) a nonresident deer muzzleloader license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(16);
(D) a nonresident youth deer muzzleloader license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(30);
(E) a resident extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18);
(F) a nonresident extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19);
(E) (G) a resident extra deer license bundle under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18);
(F) (H) a nonresident extra deer license bundle under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19);
(G) (I) a nonresident youth extra deer license bundle under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
(J) a nonresident youth extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
(H) (K) a lifetime comprehensive hunting license under
IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4) before its repeal;
(I) (L) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under
IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5) before its repeal; or
(J) (M) an apprentice license of the types identified in clauses (A) through
(G) (I) under
IC 14-22-12-1.7; or
(j) (k) An individual may take a deer during the deer reduction season established in under section 4(d) 4 of this rule only if the individual:
(1) is issued a license to hunt deer with:
(A) a resident extra deer reduction zone license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18);
(B) a nonresident extra deer reduction zone license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19);
(D) a nonresident youth extra deer reduction zone license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
(E) an apprentice license of the types identified in clauses (A) through (D) under
IC 14-22-12-1.7;
(F) a lifetime comprehensive hunting license under
IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4) before its repeal; or
(G) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under
IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5) before its repeal; or
(k) (l) An individual may take a an antlerless deer during the special antlerless a deer hunting season established in under section 4(h) 4 of this rule only if the individual:
(1) is issued a license to hunt deer with:
(A) a resident extra deer
bonus multiple season antlerless license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18);
(B) a nonresident extra deer
bonus multiple season antlerless license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19);
(D) a nonresident youth extra deer
bonus multiple season antlerless license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
(E) a resident extra deer license bundle under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18);
(F) a nonresident extra deer license bundle under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19);
(G) a nonresident youth extra deer license bundle under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
(H) an apprentice license of the types identified in clauses (A) through (G) under
IC 14-22-12-1.7;
(I) a lifetime comprehensive hunting license under
IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4) before its repeal; or
(J) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under
IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5) before its repeal; or
(l) (m) An individual may take an antlerless deer in a designated county, by authority of with an extra deer bonus multiple season antlerless license only as during the special youth, archery, firearm, and muzzleloader seasons as authorized under by section 4(g) and 4(h) 4 of this rule. An individual may take one (1) antlerless deer using equipment authorized for a season under section 3 of this rule with an extra deer multiple season antlerless deer license.
(m) An individual must, (n) Immediately upon after taking a deer, an individual shall record on a piece of paper the following on a piece of paper:
(1) The name and address of the individual who took the deer.
(2) The license number (if applicable) of the hunting license issued to the individual who took the deer, if applicable.
(3) The sex of the deer.
(4) The month and day the deer was taken.
The An individual that who takes the a deer must shall retain possession of the completed piece of paper under this subsection until the piece of paper is attached to the deer. The individual shall attach the piece of paper must be attached to the deer if the that individual who takes the deer does not maintain direct physical control of, and constant visual contact with, the deer carcass.
(n) (o) An individual who takes a deer must cause delivery of shall ensure the deer carcass is delivered to an official checking station for registration in the name of the individual who took to register the deer, or cause the reporting of report the take by providing and provide true and accurate information required on by the department's electronic harvest reporting system on the occurrence of the earlier of the following:
(1) Within Not later than forty-eight (48) hours of the after taking of the deer.
(2) Before the deer is removed from this the state.
The individual who delivers the a deer carcass to an official checking station for registration or reports the take on the department's electronic harvest reporting system must shall provide true and accurate information that includes the information on the piece of paper described in subsection (m). (n).
(o) (p) The head of a deer must remain attached to the deer carcass until the deer is registered either at an official checking station or through the department's electronic harvest reporting system.
(p) (q) When a deer is registered:
(1) at an official deer checking station, the checking station operator must: shall:
(A) record the information from the piece of paper described in subsection (m); (n);
(B) report the take on the department's electronic harvest reporting system; and
(C) give the individual the confirmation number, which must be recorded the individual shall record on the piece of paper described in subsection (m); (n); or
(2) using the department's electronic harvest reporting system, the individual who took takes the deer must shall record the confirmation number on the piece of paper described in subsection (m). (n).
(q) The department's electronic harvest confirmation number must be maintained with a deer (r) An individual who takes a deer shall maintain the confirmation number provided under subsection (q) with the deer until processing of the deer processing begins.
(r) (s) An individual must not may hunt a deer except from beginning one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to and ending one-half (1/2) hour after sunset.
(s) (t) An individual must shall wear hunter orange:
(1) in a season set forth in under section 4(b), 4(e), 4(f), and 4(h) 4(c), 4(f), and 4(g) of this rule;
(2) in that portion of the archery season set forth in under section 4(c) 4 of this rule that overlaps a season set forth in under section 4(b), 4(e), 4(f), and 4(h) 4(c), 4(f), and 4(g) of this rule;
(3) when firearms are use of a firearm is authorized under section 8(b) of this rule;
(4) in that portion of the deer reduction season set forth in under section 4(d) 4 of this rule when firearms are use of a firearm is authorized under section 3(f) of this rule. and
(5) in the special antlerless season in the locations where the season is authorized in section 4(h) of this rule.
(t) (u) An individual must may not take more than one (1) antlered deer and six (6) antlerless deer statewide during the special youth, archery, firearm, and muzzleloader seasons authorized in collectively under section 4 of this rule from beginning the first day of the special youth deer season of one (1) calendar year through and ending the last day of the archery season in the following calendar year. An individual may not take more than the number of antlerless deer permitted by each county during the special youth, archery, firearm, and muzzleloader seasons collectively.
(v) An individual may not take an antlerless deer with a firearm during the firearm season on the following properties operated by the department:
(1) A property operated by the division of fish and wildlife.
(2) Mississinewa Lake.
(3) Salamonie Lake.
(4) Patoka Lake.
(u) (w) An individual must may not hunt take a deer with the use or aid of:
(1) bait, which includes:
(A) a food that is transported and placed for consumption, including but not limited to, piles a pile of corn and apples placed or an apple in the a field;
(B) a prepared solid or liquid that is manufactured and intended for consumption by livestock or wild deer, including but not limited to, commercial baits and bait or a food supplements; supplement;
(C) salt; or
(D) a mineral supplements; supplement;
(2) snares; a snare;
(3) dogs; a dog; or
(4) any other domesticated animals. animal.
The An individual may use of a manufactured scents and lures scent or lure, or a similar chemical or natural attractants is not prohibited. attractant.
(v) (x) An area is considered baited for ten (10) days after the removal of the bait and the baited soil Hunting is removed. An individual may hunt an area such as an orchard, which that may be attractive to a deer as the result of normal agricultural activity. is not prohibited.
(w) (y) Notwithstanding subsection (u), (w), an individual may use dogs only while a dog on a leash to track or trail a wounded deer.
(x) (z) Notwithstanding subsection (u), (w), an individual may use a:
(1) donkeys; donkey;
(2) mules; and mule; or
(3) horses; horse;
for transportation to and from a hunt but not to transport a deer. An individual may not use a donkey, mule, or horse under this subsection while hunting.
(y) (aa) An individual may possess a handgun
in accordance with under IC 35-47 while hunting
a deer.
(z) "Deer license bundle" means a multiple privilege deer license that replaces a valid deer hunting license and allows an individual to take one (1) antlered deer and two (2) antlerless deer or three (3) antlerless deer in accordance with this section and sections 3 and 4 of this rule in the following seasons combined in one (1) year:
(1) Special youth.
(2) Archery.
(3) Firearms.
(4) Muzzleloader.
(5) Special antlerless only.
(bb) An individual who takes a deer believed to be unfit for human consumption by an authorized department biologist, a property manager, or an Indiana conservation officer may be issued an authorization to take an antlerless deer that will not count toward the statewide antlerless deer bag limit under subsection (u), or the county bag limit under section 4 of this rule.
(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 9-3-2; filed May 12, 1997, 10:00 a.m.: 20 IR 2702; filed Dec 26, 2001, 2:40 p.m.: 25 IR 1528; readopted filed Jul 28, 2003, 12:00 p.m.: 27 IR 286; filed Sep 23, 2004, 3:00 p.m.: 28 IR 536; filed May 12, 2006, 10:38 a.m.: 29 IR 3344; filed Jun 23, 2006, 2:24 p.m.: 20060719-IR-312050214FRA; errata filed Jul 21, 2006, 1:56 p.m.: 20060802-IR-312050214ACA; filed Jul 10, 2007, 2:09 p.m.: 20070808-IR-312060572FRA; readopted filed Nov 24, 2008, 11:08 a.m.: 20081210-IR-312080672RFA; filed Nov 3, 2009, 3:34 p.m.: 20091202-IR-312090044FRA; filed Dec 1, 2011, 4:01 p.m.: 20111228-IR-312110101FRA; errata filed Jan 10, 2012, 1:19 p.m.: 20120125-IR-312120006ACA; filed Jul 9, 2012, 3:00 p.m.: 20120808-IR-312120065FRA; filed Dec 18, 2012, 2:00 p.m.: 20130116-IR-312120115FRA; filed Sep 13, 2013, 3:02 p.m.: 20131009-IR-312120670FRA;
readopted filed May 20, 2014, 9:43 a.m.: 20140618-IR-312140017RFA; filed Jun 15, 2015, 3:43 p.m.: 20150715-IR-312140453FRA; readopted filed Sep 18, 2019, 1:16 p.m.: 20191016-IR-312190325RFA; filed Nov 16, 2020, 9:30 a.m.: 20201216-IR-312200069FRA)
312 IAC 9-3-3 Equipment for deer hunting
Authority:
IC 14-10-2-4;
IC 14-22-2-6
Sec. 3. (a) During the youth special deer season established in by section 4(b) 4 of this rule, a youth hunter must may hunt a deer only with the following equipment:
(1) A bow and arrow as described in subsection (b)(1) through (b)(5). (b)(4).
(3) A shotgun as described in subsection (d)(1).
(4) A muzzleloading long gun as described in subsection (d)(3). and (d)(5).
(5) A rifle, with the use of cartridges described in subsection (d)(4).
(b) During the archery season established in under section 4(c) 4 of this rule, an individual must may hunt a deer only with the following equipment: as follows:
(1) With A long bow, recurve bow, or compound bow that has at least thirty-five (35) pounds pull, with and a valid license identified at to hunt a deer under section 2(f) 2 of this rule.
(2) With A crossbow with and a valid license identified at to hunt a deer under section 2(g) 2 of this rule.
(3) Arrows An arrow or bolts must be a bolt equipped with:
(A) a metal or metal-edged; (or flint, chert, or obsidian napped) broadheads.
(B) a flint;
(C) a chert; or
(D) an obsidian napped;
broadhead.
(4) Poisoned or explosive arrows or bolts are unlawful.
(5) For (4) A long bows, bow, recurve bows, and bow, or compound bows, no portion of the bow's riser (handle) or any: bow with a:
(A) track;
(B) trough;
(C) channel;
(D) arrow rest; or
(E) any other device;
that attaches to the bow's riser shall of the bow must not contact, support, or guide the arrow from a point rearward of the bow's brace height of the bow. Use of a poisoned or an explosive arrow or bolt is unlawful.
(c) During the firearms season established in under section 4(e) 4 of this rule, and the special antlerless season established in section 4(h) of this rule, an individual must hunt may take a deer only with any of the following equipment:
(1) A shotgun.
(2) A shotgun with rifled barrel.
(3) A handgun.
(4) A muzzleloading long gun.
(5) A muzzleloading handgun.
(6) A rifle, with the use of cartridges a cartridge described in subsection (d)(4). only.
(d) As used in section 2 sections 2, 4, and 8 of this rule and this section, and sections 4 and 8 of this rule, a firearm must meet the following specifications:
(1) A shotgun must have a gauge bore of:
(A) 10 gauge;
(B) 12 gauge;
(C) 16 gauge;
(D) 20 gauge;
(E) 28 gauge; or
(F) .410 bore; caliber;
loaded with a single projectile.
(2) A handgun must:
(B) have a barrel at least four (4) inches long;
(C) fire a bullet of at least two hundred forty-three thousandths (.243) of an inch in diameter; or larger; and
(D) not be a rifle that has a barrel less than eighteen (18) inches.
The A handgun cartridge case, without a bullet, must be at least one and sixteen-hundredths (1.16) inches long. Use of a full metal jacketed bullets are bullet is unlawful. All 25/20, 32/20, Use of .25-20 Winchester, .32-20 Winchester, .30 Carbine, and or .38 Special ammunition is prohibited. unlawful.
(3) A muzzleloading long gun must be .44 at least .40 caliber, or larger, loaded with a bullet at least three hundred fifty-seven thousandths (.357) of an inch. or larger. A muzzleloading handgun must be single shot, .50 caliber or larger, loaded with bullets a bullet at least .44 caliber, and have a barrel at least twelve (12) inches long. The length of a muzzleloading handgun barrel is determined by measuring from the base of the breech plug excluding tangs and other projections, to the end of the barrel, including the muzzle crown, excluding a tang or another projection. During the muzzleloading season under section 4 of this rule, a muzzleloading gun must be capable of being loaded loading only from the muzzle, including both the powder and bullet.
(4) A rifle must fire a cartridge that meets the following specifications:
(A) Fire a bullet of at least three hundred fifty-seven thousandths (.357) of an inch in diameter. or larger.
(B) Have a minimum case length of at least one and sixteen-hundredths (1.16) inches.
(C) Have a maximum case length of not more than one and eight-tenths (1.8) inches.
Use of a full metal jacketed bullets are bullet is unlawful.
(5) A muzzleloading long gun, as described in subsection (3), except that it may be capable of having the bullet loaded from the muzzle and the powder loaded from the breech.
(e) During the muzzleloader season established in under section 4(f) 4 of this rule, an individual must hunt may take a deer only with a:
(1) muzzleloading long gun as described in subsection (d)(3); or
(2) muzzleloading handgun as described in subsection (d)(3).
(f) During the deer reduction season established in section 4(d) 4 of this rule, an individual may hunt take a deer with a:
(1) bows bow and arrows arrow or crossbow and bolt described in subsection (b) from beginning September 15 through and ending January 31; of the following year, or with firearms
(2) firearm described in subsections subsection (c) and or (d) from beginning the first Saturday after November 11 through and ending January 31. of the following year.
(g) An individual must may not erect, place, or hunt from a permanent tree or ground blind on state land owned lands. A or leased by the state. An individual may erect, place, or hunt from a temporary tree or ground blind that may be left overnight and placed on a:
(2) U.S. Forest Service lands; land; or
(3) any national wildlife refuge;
must be portable and may be left overnight only between beginning at noon on September 15 and ending January 10, A or beginning at noon September 1 and ending February 8 on a department property within a deer reduction zone under section 4 of this rule. An individual may not use a fastener used in conjunction with a tree blind and a tree or pole climber that penetrates a tree more than one-half (1/2) inch. is prohibited. Each A tree or ground blind must be legibly marked with the name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the tree or ground blind in the English language, or the individual's customer identification number issued to the owner by the department.
(h) An individual must may not use an infrared sensors sensor to locate or take aid in taking a deer. An individual must not hunt or retrieve deer with the aid of an infrared detector.
(i) An individual must may not possess or use an electronic deer call while hunting deer.
(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 9-3-3; filed May 12, 1997, 10:00 a.m.: 20 IR 2703; filed Nov 13, 1997, 12:09 p.m.: 21 IR 1272; filed Dec 26, 2001, 2:40 p.m.: 25 IR 1530; readopted filed Jul 28, 2003, 12:00 p.m.: 27 IR 286; filed Sep 23, 2004, 3:00 p.m.: 28 IR 538; filed Jun 23, 2006, 2:24 p.m.: 20060719-IR-312050214FRA; filed Jun 29, 2007, 2:30 p.m.: 20070725-IR-312060272FRA; filed Sep 6, 2007, 12:20 p.m.: 20071003-IR-312070023FRA; readopted filed Nov 24, 2008, 11:08 a.m.: 20081210-IR-312080672RFA; filed Nov 3, 2009, 3:34 p.m.: 20091202-IR-312090044FRA; filed Dec 1, 2011, 4:01 p.m.: 20111228-IR-312110101FRA; filed Sep 13, 2013, 3:02 p.m.: 20131009-IR-312120670FRA; errata filed Dec 6, 2013, 11:12 a.m.: 20140101-IR-312130537ACA; readopted filed May 20, 2014, 9:43 a.m.: 20140618-IR-312140017RFA; filed Jun 15, 2015, 3:43 p.m.: 20150715-IR-312140453FRA; readopted filed Sep 18, 2019, 1:16 p.m.: 20191016-IR-312190325RFA; filed Nov 16, 2020, 9:30 a.m.: 20201216-IR-312200069FRA; filed May 11, 2021, 1:07 p.m.: 20210609-IR-312200602FRA)
312 IAC 9-3-4 Season dates and bag limits
Authority:
IC 14-10-2-4;
IC 14-22-2-6
Sec. 4. (a) Except as provided in section 2 of this rule, an individual must not may take not more than one (1) deer with each deer a license to hunt a deer.
(b) The special youth deer season is two (2) consecutive days beginning on the Saturday immediately before October 1, or as approved annually by the director as follows:
(1) The seasonal limit for hunting taking a deer under this subsection is one (1) antlered deer, and the number of antlerless deer established under subsection (g). for the county being hunted. If the county being hunted is designated as an "A" county under subsection (g), the youth hunter may take no more than one (1) antlerless deer under this subsection. A youth hunter may take not more than one (1) antlerless deer under this subsection on the following properties operated by the department:
(A) A property operated by the division of fish and wildlife.
(B) Salamonie Lake.
(C) Mississinewa Lake.
(D) Patoka Lake.
(2) A youth hunter who takes an antlered deer under this subsection may not take another antlered deer during the:
(A) archery seasons established in season under subsection (c);
(B) firearm season established in under subsection (e); or
(C) muzzleloader season established in under subsection (f).
(3) As used in this section, "youth" means an individual who is less than eighteen (18) years of age by the date of the hunt.
(4) (3) A youth hunter who hunts takes a deer under this subsection must be accompanied by an adult of individual at least eighteen (18) years of age who:
(A) does not possess a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow while in the field, except for a handgun carried lawfully
in accordance with under IC 35-47-2;
(B) possesses a
valid hunting license
of any type to hunt a wild animal that is not an apprentice license, unless
the individual is exempt from needing a
hunting license
to hunt under
IC 14-22-11-1 and
312 IAC 9-2-14;
(C) must may not accompany more than two (2) youth hunters at any one (1) time; and
(D) must be is in close proximity and able to communicate with the youth hunter at all times. during the hunt.
(c) The archery deer season is from begins October 1 through and ends the first Sunday in January. An individual must take not more than two (2) deer of which only one (1) may be antlered under this subsection.
(d) The deer reduction season is as follows:
(1) From Begins September 15 through and ends January 31 of the following year in a deer reduction zone.
(2) Under this subsection, an individual:
(A) An individual must may take not more than ten (10) deer, of which only one (1) deer may be an antlered deer; and
(B) shall take at least one (1) antlerless deer must be taken in a deer reduction zone prior to before taking an antlered deer.
(3) A deer taken under this subsection does not count against a bag limit for deer set elsewhere in under this rule.
(4) Deer reduction zones subject to the deer reduction season shall be established on an annual basis by a temporary rule authorized by the director.
(4) The Evansville deer reduction zone is the portion of Vanderburgh County south of East Boonville-New Harmony Road, except for the following areas:
(A) The area south of Interstate 164/Veterans Memorial Parkway from the Warrick County line to the east to where it intersects Main Street along the Ohio River Shore to the west.
(B) The area south of the intersection of Broadway Avenue and the Posey County line to the west, extending east to Bayou Creek Road and east to the Ohio River with Bayou Creek Road and extending east to the Ohio River.
(5) The Lafayette deer reduction zone is the portion of Tippecanoe County as follows:
(A) The area to the east, beginning at the intersection of Interstate 65 and County Road 600 North following Interstate 65 south to the junction with State Road 38.
(B) The area along State Road 38 from the intersection of Interstate 65 and State Road 38 west to Veterans Memorial Parkway/County Road 350 South, then south along Veterans Memorial Parkway west to the junction with U.S. Highway 231/State Road 52.
(C) The area from the intersection of Veterans Memorial Parkway/County Road 350 South and U.S. Highway 231 following U.S. Highway 231/State Road 52 north to the junction with State Road 25.
(D) The area from the intersection of State Road 25 and U.S. Highway 231 south along State Road 25 to the intersection of County Road 300 South and State Road 25 South.
(E) The area from the intersection of State Road 25 South and County Road 300 South to the west along County Road 300 South to the intersection of County Road 300 South and County Road 700 West.
(F) The area from the intersection of County Road 700 West and County Road 300 South to the north along County Road 700 West to the intersection of County Road 700 West and Division Road/South River Road.
(G) The area from the intersection of County Road 700 West and Division Road/South River Road to the east along Division Road/South River Road to the intersection of Division Road/South River Road and South Newman Road.
(H) The area from the intersection of South Newman Road and Division Road/South River Road to the north along South Newman Road to the intersection of South Newman Road and State Road 26/State Street.
(I) The area from the intersection of South Newman Road and State Road 26/State Street to the east along State Road 26/State Street to the intersection of State Road 26/State Street and U.S. Highway 231/State Road 52.
(J) The area to the north along U.S. Highway 231 from the intersection of State Road 26/State Street and U.S. Highway 231/State Road 52 to the intersection of U.S. Highway 231/State Road 52 and State Road 52/U.S. Highway 231.
(K) The area to the west along State Road 52 from the intersection of State Road 52 and U.S. Highway 231/State Road 52 to the intersection of State Road 52 and County Road 400 West.
(L) The area to the north along County Road 400 West from the intersection of State Road 52/U.S. Highway 231 to the intersection of County Road 400 West and County Road 375 West.
(M) The area to the north along County Road 375 West from the junction with County Road 400 West to the intersection of County Road 375 West and County Road 600 North.
(N) The area to the east along County Road 600 North from the junction with County Road 375 West to the intersection of County Road 600 North and Interstate 65.
(6) The Michigan City/LaPorte deer reduction zone is the portion of LaPorte County between Lake Michigan and the following boundary:
(A) The area from the junction of the Porter/LaPorte County line and Interstate 94 to the east to the intersection of Interstate 94 and Johnson Road.
(B) The area from the intersection of Interstate 94 and Johnson Road to the south to the intersection of Johnson Road and County Road 500 West.
(C) The area from the south along County Road 500 West from the intersection at Johnson Road to the intersection of County Road 500 West and State Road 2.
(D) The area from the east along State Road 2 from the intersection at County Road 500 West to the intersection of State Road 2 and State Road 39/Longwood Drive.
(E) The area to the south along State Road 39/Longwood Drive from the intersection at State Road 2 to the intersection at County Road 400 South.
(F) The area to the east along County Road 400 South from the intersection at State Road 2 to the intersection at County Road 300 East.
(G) The area to the north along County Road 300 East from the intersection at County Road 400 South to the intersection at Division Road.
(H) The area to the west along Division Road from the intersection at County Road 300 East to the intersection at County Road 250 East.
(I) The area to the north along County Road 250 East from the intersection at Division Road to the intersection at County Road 150 North.
(J) The area to the west along County Road 150 North from the intersection at County Road 250 East to the intersection at Fail Road.
(K) The area to the north along North Fail Road from the intersection at County Road 150 North to the intersection at U.S. Highway 20.
(L) The area to the west along U.S. Highway 20 from the intersection at North Fail Road to the intersection of U.S. Highway 20 and Interstate 94.
(M) The area to the north along Interstate 94 from the intersection at U.S. Highway 20 to the junction with the Indiana/Michigan state line.
(7) The Muncie deer reduction zone is the portion of Delaware County as follows:
(A) The area at the intersection of Yorktown-Gaston Pike/County Road 600 West, extending east along State Road 332 East to the intersection at Nebo Road.
(B) The area to the north along Nebo Road from the intersection at State Road 332 to the intersection at County Road 500 North/Royerton Road.
(C) The area to the east along County Road 500 North/Royerton Road from the intersection at North Nebo Road to the intersection at U.S. Highway 35.
(D) The area to the south along U.S. Highway 35 from the intersection at County Road 500 North/Royerton Road to the intersection at State Road 67.
(E) The area to the south along State Road 67 from the intersection at U.S. Highway 35 to the intersection at County Road 400 South.
(F) The area to the west along County Road 400 South from the intersection at State Road 67 to the intersection at South Marsh Avenue/County Road 600 West.
(G) The area to the north along Marsh Avenue/County Road 600 West from the intersection at County Road 400 South to intersection at State Road 32.
(H) The area to the east along State Road 32 from the intersection at Marsh Avenue to the intersection at Tiger Drive/County Road 575 West.
(I) The area to the north along Tiger Drive/County Road 575 West from the intersection at State Road 32 to the intersection at River Road.
(J) The area to the west along River Road from the intersection at Tiger Drive to the intersection at Yorktown-Gaston Pike/County Road 600 West.
(K) The area to the north along Yorktown-Gaston Pike/County Road 600 West to the intersection at State Road 332.
(8) The South Bend/Mishawaka/Elkhart deer reduction zone is the portion of St. Joseph County and Elkhart County south of the Michigan state line as follows:
(A) The area at the junction of U.S. Highway 31 and the Indiana/Michigan state line to the south along U.S. Highway 31 to the intersection at U.S. Highway 20.
(B) The area to the east along U.S. Highway 20/U.S. Highway 31 to the intersection at County Road 17.
(C) The area to the north along County Road 17 from the intersection at U.S. Highway 20 to the junction with the Indiana/Michigan state line.
(9) The Warsaw deer reduction zone is the portion of Kosciusko County as follows:
(A) The area at the intersection of State Road 15 and Levi Lee Road, extending east to the intersection of Levi Lee Road and County Road 100 East.
(B) The area to the south along County Road 100 East from the intersection at Levi Lee Road to the intersection at County Road 450 North.
(C) The area to the east along County Road 450 North from the intersection at County Road 100 East to the intersection at Chapman Lake Drive.
(D) The area to the south along Chapman Lake Drive from the intersection at County Road 450 North to the intersection at County Road 300 East.
(E) The area to the south along County Road 300 East from the intersection at Chapman Lake Road to the intersection at Old U.S. Highway 30/E. Old Road 30.
(F) The area to the east on Old U.S. Highway 30/E. Old Road 30 from the intersection at County Road 300 East to the intersection at County Road 450 East.
(G) The area to the south along County Road 450 East from the intersection at Old U.S. Highway 30/E. Old Road 30 to the intersection at U.S. Highway 30.
(H) The area to the east on U.S. Highway 30 from the intersection at County Road 450 East to the intersection at Van Ness Road.
(I) The area to the south along Van Ness Road from the intersection at U.S. Highway 30 to the intersection at Wooster Road.
(J) The area to the west along Wooster Road from the intersection at Van Ness Road to the intersection at County Road 500 East.
(K) The area to the south along County Road 500 East from the intersection at Wooster Road to the intersection at County Road 350 South.
(L) The area to the west along County Road 350 South from the intersection at County Road 500 East to the intersection at County Road 450 East.
(M) The area to the south along County Road 450 East from the intersection at County Road 350 South to the intersection at County Road 400 South.
(N) The area to the west along County Road 400 South from the intersection at County Road 450 East to the intersection at State Road 15.
(O) The area to the north along State Road 15 from the intersection at County Road 400 South to the intersection at County Road 350 South.
(P) The area to the west along County Road 350 South from the intersection at State Road 15 to the intersection at County Road 450 West.
(Q) The area to the north along County Road 450 West from the intersection at County Road 350 South to the intersection at County Road 400 West.
(R) The area to the north along County Road 400 West from the intersection at County Road 450 West to the intersection at Crystal Lake Road.
(S) The area to the east along Crystal Lake Road from the intersection at County Road 400 West to the intersection at Zimmer Road.
(T) The area to the north along Zimmer Road from the intersection at Crystal Lake Road to the intersection at Lincoln Highway/Old U.S. Highway 30.
(U) The area to the west along Lincoln Highway/Old U.S. Highway 30 from the intersection at Zimmer Road to the intersection at County Road 350 West.
(V) The area to the north along County Road 350 West from the intersection at Lincoln Highway/Old U.S. Highway 30 to the intersection at U.S. Highway 30.
(W) The area to the east along U.S. Highway 30 from the intersection at County Road 350 West to the intersection at County Road 150 West/Silveus Crossing.
(X) The area to the north along County Road 150 West/Silveus Crossing from the intersection at U.S. Highway 30 to the intersection at County Road 400 North.
(Y) The area to the east along County Road 400 North from the intersection at County Road 150 West/Silveus Crossing to the intersection at State Road 15.
(Z) The area to the north along State Road 15 from the intersection at County Road 400 North to the intersection at Levi Lee Road.
(10) The Allen County deer reduction zone is the portion of Allen County as follows:
(A) The area between Interstate 69 and Interstate 469.
(B) The area to the west of Interstate 69 that extends north of Lafayette Center Road and south of State Road 14.
(C) The area west of Interstate 69 to the:
(i) north of U.S. Highway 30;
(ii) east of O Day Road to the intersection at State Road 33;
(iii) south of State Road 33 to the intersection at Johnson Road;
(iv) east of Johnson Road north to the intersection at West Shoaff Road;
(v) south of West Shoaff Road east to the intersection at State Road 3; and
(vi) east of State Road 3 north to the junction with the DeKalb County line.
(D) The area to the east of Interstate 69, to the north of Interstate 469, to the west of the St. Joseph River, and to the south of Schlatter Road.
(11) The Cordry-Sweetwater deer reduction zone is the portion of Brown County contained within the Cordry-Sweetwater Conservancy District.
(12) The Brown County deer reduction zone is the portion of Brown County as follows:
(A) The area not more than one-half (1/2) mile on either side of the centerline of State Road 46 from the Monroe County line to the Bartholomew County line.
(B) The area of Monroe Lake located not more than one-half (1/2) mile from the centerline of State Road 46.
(C) The area that is the management units of Yellowwood State Forest contained within the following tracts:
(i) Compartment 2, Tracts 2 and 40.
(ii) Compartment 3, Tracts 1 and 2.
(iii) Compartment 4, Tract 2.
(iv) Compartment 5, Tracts 5, 9, 10, 11, and 15.
(v) Compartment 8, Tract 27.
(vi) Compartment 9, Tract 1.
The Brown County deer reduction zone does not include any portion of Brown County State Park.
(13) The Dearborn County deer reduction zone is the portion of Dearborn County that includes a privately owned parcel of land that has a portion located not more than one-half (1/2) mile on either side of the centerline of the following road segments:
(A) The area of U.S. 50 from the Dearborn/Ripley County line east to the Indiana state line.
(B) The area of State Road 148 from the intersection at State Road 48, extending south to the intersection at U.S. 50.
(C) The area of State Road 48 from the intersection at State Road 148, extending south to the intersection at U.S. 50.
(14) The DeKalb County deer reduction zone is the portion of DeKalb County that includes a privately owned parcel of land that has a portion located not more than one-half (1/2) mile on either side of the centerline of Interstate 69 from the DeKalb/Steuben County line south to the DeKalb/Allen County line.
(15) The Fulton County deer reduction zone is a privately owned parcel of land that has a portion located not more than one-half (1/2) mile on either side of the centerline of U.S. Highway 31 from the Fulton/Marshall County line to the south to the intersection at State Road 14.
(16) The LaGrange County deer reduction zone is a privately owned parcel of land that has a portion located not more than one-half (1/2) mile on either side of the centerline of the following road segments:
(A) The area of U.S. Highway 20 from the intersection at State Road 9 to the east to the LaGrange/Steuben County line.
(B) The area of State Road 9 from the intersection at U.S. Highway 20 to the south to the LaGrange/Noble County line.
(C) The area of State Road 3 from the intersection at U.S. Highway 20 to the south to the LaGrange/Noble County line.
(17) The Lake County deer reduction zone is the portion of Lake County as follows:
(A) The area from north of the junction of the Indiana state line and 151st Avenue.
(B) The area from 151st Avenue east to the intersection at U.S. Highway 41.
(C) The area from U.S. Highway 41 south to the intersection at State Road 2.
(D) The area from State Road 2 east to the intersection at Interstate 65.
(E) The area from Interstate 65 north to the intersection at 145th Avenue.
(F) The area from 145th Avenue east to the intersection at U.S. Highway 231.
(G) The area from U.S. Highway 231 south to the junction with the Porter County line.
(18) The Madison County deer reduction zone is the portion of Madison County that includes a privately owned parcel of land that has a portion located not more than one-half (1/2) mile on either side of the centerline of Interstate 69 from the Madison/Hamilton County line east to the Madison/Delaware County line.
(19) The Griffy Lake Nature Preserve deer reduction zone is the portion of Monroe County contained in the Griffy Lake Nature Preserve.
(20) The Monroe County deer reduction zone is the portion of Monroe County that includes a privately owned parcel of land that has a portion located not more than one-half (1/2) mile on either side of the centerline of State Road 37 from the Interstate 69 split south to the junction with the Monroe/Lawrence County line.
(21) The Porter County deer reduction zone is the portion of Porter County as follows:
(A) The area from north of the junction of U.S. Highway 231 and the Porter/Lake County line.
(B) The area to the east along U.S. Highway 231 to the intersection at State Road 2.
(C) The area to the north along State Road 2 north to the intersection at Division Road.
(D) The area to the east along Division Road to the junction with the LaPorte County line.
(22) The Steuben County deer reduction zone is the portion of Steuben County that includes a privately owned parcel of land that has a portion located not more than one-half (1/2) mile on either side of the centerline of the following road segments:
(A) The area of Interstate 69 from the Indiana state line south to the junction with the Steuben/DeKalb County line.
(B) The area of Interstate 80/90 Toll Road from the Steuben/LaGrange County line east to the intersection at Interstate 69.
(C) The area of U.S. Highway 20 from the Steuben/LaGrange County line east to the intersection at Interstate 69.
(23) The Wabash County deer reduction zone is the portion of Wabash County that includes a privately owned parcel of land that has a portion located not more than one-half (1/2) mile on either side of the centerline of State Road 114 from the junction with the Wabash/Fulton County line east to the intersection at State Road 13.
(24) The Warrick County deer reduction zone is the portion of Warrick County extending south of State Road 62 from the junction with the Warrick/Vanderburgh County line, then to the intersection at State Road 61 as follows:
(A) The area to the south along State Road 61 to the intersection at State Road 66.
(B) The area to the west along State Road 66 to the intersection at the French Island Trail.
(C) The area to the west along the French Island Trail to the intersection at Jennings Street.
(D) The area to the west along Jennings Street to the intersection at Old State Road 662.
(E) The area to the west along Old State Road 662 to the intersection at State Road 662.
(F) The area to the west along State Road 662 to the junction with the Warrick/Vanderburgh County line.
(25) The deer reduction zones in central Indiana are as follows:
(A) Marion County.
(B) The area in Johnson County to the south from the Marion County line as follows:
(i) The area to the west of Interstate 65 and south to the intersection of Interstate 65 and Whiteland Road.
(ii) The area to the west along Whiteland Road to the intersection at State Road 144.
(iii) The area to the west along State Road 144 to the intersection at State Road 37.
(iv) The area to the south along State Road 37 to the junction with the Johnson/Morgan County line.
(C) The area in Morgan County to the north of the junction of State Road 37 and the Morgan/Johnson County line as follows:
(i) The area to the west of State Road 37 South to the intersection of State Road 37 and State Road 39/Morton Avenue.
(ii) The area to the north along State Road 39/Morton Avenue from the intersection at State Road 37 to the intersection at State Road 67.
(iii) The area to the north along State Road 67 from the intersection at State Road 39 to the intersection at Indiana Street/State Road 267.
(iv) The area to the north along Indiana Street/State Road 267 from the intersection at State Road 67 to the intersection at State Road 42/High Street.
(v) The area to the west along State Road 42/High Street from the intersection at Indiana Street/State Road 267 to the intersection at State Road 267.
(vi) The area to the north along State Road 267 to the junction with the Morgan/Hendricks County line.
(D) The area in Hendricks County to the east of State Road 267 from the Morgan County line north to the Boone County line.
(E) The area in Boone County to the east of State Road 267 from the Hendricks County line north to the intersection at Interstate 65 as follows:
(i) The area from Interstate 65 south to the intersection at State Road 334.
(ii) The area to the east to the intersection at Ford Road/County Road 975 East/Pleasantview Road.
(iii) The area to the north to the intersection at County Road 300 South.
(iv) The area from County Road 300 South east to the junction with the Hamilton County line.
(F) The area in Hamilton County to the south of State Road 32 from the Boone County line east to the junction with U.S. Highway 31 as follows:
(i) The area to the north along U.S. Highway 31 to the intersection at 236th Street.
(ii) The area to the east along 236th Street to the intersection at State Road 19.
(iii) The area to the south along State Road 19 to the intersection at State Road 32.
(iv) The area to the east along State Road 32 to the junction with the Madison County line.
(e) The firearms deer season is from begins the first Saturday after November 11 and continues for ends after an additional fifteen (15) days. An individual must may take not more than one (1) antlered deer under this subsection with a firearms license.
(f) The deer hunting season for only using to use a muzzleloading long gun or muzzleloading handgun is from begins the first Saturday after the closing day of the firearms season as established in under subsection (e) and continues for ends after an additional fifteen (15) days. An individual must not may take not more than one (1) deer of either sex the number of deer authorized by section 2 of this rule under this subsection.
(g) The season and bag limit for hunting by county to take an antlerless deer in a designated county, by authority of an extra deer bonus antlerless license shall be established on an annual basis by a temporary rule authorized by the director is as follows:
(1) Two (2) deer in Adams County.
(2) Three (3) deer in Allen County.
(3) Three (3) deer in Bartholomew County.
(4) Two (2) deer in Benton County.
(5) Two (2) deer in Blackford County.
(6) Three (3) deer in Boone County.
(7) Four (4) deer in Brown County.
(8) Three (3) deer in Carroll County.
(9) Three (3) deer in Cass County.
(10) Three (3) deer in Clark County.
(11) Three (3) deer in Clay County.
(12) Three (3) deer in Clinton County.
(13) Four (4) deer in Crawford County.
(14) Three (3) deer in Daviess County.
(15) Four (4) deer in Dearborn County.
(16) Two (2) deer in Decatur County.
(17) Three (3) deer in DeKalb County.
(18) Three (3) deer in Delaware County.
(19) Three (3) deer in Dubois County.
(20) Three (3) deer in Elkhart County.
(21) In Fayette County:
(A) one (1) deer beginning October 1, 2024; and
(B) two (2) deer beginning October 1, 2025.
(22) Four (4) deer in Floyd County.
(23) Three (3) deer in Fountain County.
(24) In Franklin County:
(A) one (1) deer beginning October 1, 2024; and
(B) two (2) deer beginning October 1, 2025.
(25) Three (3) deer in Fulton County.
(26) Three (3) deer in Gibson County.
(27) Three (3) deer in Grant County.
(28) Three (3) deer in Greene County.
(29) Three (3) deer in Hamilton County.
(30) Two (2) deer in Hancock County.
(31) Four (4) deer in Harrison County.
(32) Three (3) deer in Hendricks County.
(33) Three (3) deer in Henry County.
(34) Three (3) deer in Howard County.
(35) Three (3) deer in Huntington County.
(36) Four (4) deer in Jackson County.
(37) Three (3) deer in Jasper County.
(38) Two (2) deer in Jay County.
(39) Four (4) deer in Jefferson County.
(40) Four (4) deer in Jennings County.
(41) Three (3) deer in Johnson County.
(42) Three (3) deer in Knox County.
(43) Three (3) deer in Kosciusko County.
(44) Three (3) deer in LaGrange County.
(45) Three (3) deer in Lake County.
(46) Three (3) deer in LaPorte County.
(47) Four (4) deer in Lawrence County.
(48) Three (3) deer in Madison County.
(49) Three (3) deer in Marion County.
(50) Three (3) deer in Marshall County.
(51) Three (3) deer in Martin County.
(52) Three (3) deer in Miami County.
(53) Four (4) deer in Monroe County.
(54) Three (3) deer in Montgomery County.
(55) Four (4) deer in Morgan County.
(56) Three (3) deer in Newton County.
(57) Three (3) deer in Noble County.
(58) Three (3) deer in Ohio County.
(59) Four (4) deer in Orange County.
(60) Four (4) deer in Owen County.
(61) Three (3) deer in Parke County.
(62) Four (4) deer in Perry County.
(63) Three (3) deer in Pike County.
(64) Three (3) deer in Porter County.
(65) Three (3) deer in Posey County.
(66) Three (3) deer in Pulaski County.
(67) Three (3) deer in Putnam County.
(68) Two (2) deer in Randolph County.
(69) Four (4) deer in Ripley County.
(70) Two (2) deer in Rush County.
(71) Three (3) deer in St. Joseph County.
(72) Four (4) deer in Scott County.
(73) Two (2) deer in Shelby County.
(74) Three (3) deer in Spencer County.
(75) Three (3) deer in Starke County.
(76) Three (3) deer in Steuben County.
(77) Three (3) deer in Sullivan County.
(78) Three (3) deer in Switzerland County.
(79) Three (3) deer in Tippecanoe County.
(80) Two (2) deer in Tipton County.
(81) Three (3) deer in Union County.
(82) Three (3) deer in Vanderburgh County.
(83) Three (3) deer in Vermillion County.
(84) Three (3) deer in Vigo County.
(85) Three (3) deer in Wabash County.
(86) Three (3) deer in Warren County.
(87) Three (3) deer in Warrick County.
(88) Four (4) deer in Washington County.
(89) Three (3) deer in Wayne County.
(90) Two (2) deer in Wells County.
(91) Three (3) deer in White County.
(92) Three (3) deer in Whitley County.
(h) The special antlerless deer season is from December 26 through the first Sunday in January of the following year in counties with an antlerless quota of four (4) or more deer. An individual may take only antlerless deer under this subsection and may take only the number established under subsection (g) for the county being hunted.
(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 9-3-4; filed May 12, 1997, 10:00 a.m.: 20 IR 2703; filed Nov 5, 1997, 3:25 p.m.: 21 IR 930; filed Dec 26, 2001, 2:40 p.m.: 25 IR 1530; readopted filed Jul 28, 2003, 12:00 p.m.: 27 IR 286; filed Sep 23, 2004, 3:00 p.m.: 28 IR 538; filed May 25, 2005, 10:15 a.m.: 28 IR 2945; filed Jun 29, 2007, 2:30 p.m.: 20070725-IR-312060272FRA; filed Jul 10, 2007, 2:09 p.m.: 20070808-IR-312060572FRA; filed Sep 6, 2007, 12:20 p.m.: 20071003-IR-312070023FRA; readopted filed Nov 24, 2008, 11:08 a.m.: 20081210-IR-312080672RFA; filed Nov 3, 2009, 3:34 p.m.: 20091202-IR-312090044FRA; filed Nov 12, 2009, 3:53 p.m.: 20091209-IR-312090060FRA; filed Dec 1, 2011, 4:01 p.m.: 20111228-IR-312110101FRA; readopted filed May 20, 2014, 9:43 a.m.: 20140618-IR-312140017RFA; filed Jun 15, 2015, 3:43 p.m.: 20150715-IR-312140453FRA; readopted filed Sep 18, 2019, 1:16 p.m.: 20191016-IR-312190325RFA)
Authority:
IC 14-10-2-4;
IC 14-22-2-6
Sec. 11. (a) Except as provided in subsection (c), an individual may hunt wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in the spring from beginning the first Wednesday after April 20 and continuing for ending after an additional eighteen (18) consecutive days. On property managed by the division of fish and wildlife, an individual may hunt wild turkeys under this subsection only until noon (central time) or 1:00 p.m. (Eastern time).
(b) An individual may hunt wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) during the fall as follows:
(1) With firearms from beginning the first Wednesday after October 14 and continuing for ending after an additional eleven (11) consecutive days in the following counties only:
(A) Bartholomew.
(B) Brown.
(C) Clark.
(D) Clay
(E) Crawford.
(F) Daviess.
(G) Dearborn.
(H) DeKalb.
(I) Dubois.
(J) Elkhart.
(K) Fayette.
(L) Floyd.
(M) Fountain.
(N) Franklin.
(O) Gibson.
(P) Greene.
(Q) Harrison.
(R) Jackson.
(S) Jefferson.
(T) Jennings.
(U) Knox.
(V) Kosciusko.
(W) LaGrange.
(X) LaPorte.
(Y) Lawrence.
(Z) Marshall.
(AA) Martin.
(BB) Monroe.
(CC) Morgan.
(DD) Noble.
(EE) Ohio.
(FF) Orange.
(GG) Owen.
(HH) Parke.
(II) Perry.
(JJ) Pike.
(KK) Posey.
(LL) Putnam.
(MM) Ripley.
(NN) Scott.
(OO) Spencer.
(PP) St. Joseph.
(QQ) Starke.
(RR) Steuben.
(SS) Sullivan.
(TT) Switzerland.
(UU) Union.
(VV) Vanderburgh.
(WW) Vermillion.
(XX) Vigo.
(YY) Warren.
(ZZ) Warrick.
(AAA) Washington.
(2) With a bow and arrows from: beginning:
(A) October 1 to the end of the fall turkey season with firearms as established in subdivision (1); and
(B) the first Saturday after the closing day of deer firearms season as established in
312 IAC 9-3-4(e) through 312 IAC 9-3-4 and ending the first Sunday in January.
(c) The spring and fall seasons for hunting and possessing wild turkeys on Camp Atterbury shall be determined by the director on an annual basis to prevent interference with military training exercises.
(d) An individual may take one (1):
(1) bearded or male wild turkey during the spring season; and
(2) wild turkey of either sex during the fall season.
(e) An individual must not do the following:
(1) Hunt wild turkeys except between one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise and sunset.
(2) Take a wild turkey except with the use of by using any of the following:
(A) A shotgun or muzzleloading shotgun with a barrel length of at least 18 inches (forty-six (46) cm):
(i) of 28, 20, 16, 12, and 10 gauge; or
(ii) .410 caliber;
loaded only with shot of size 4, 5, 6, 7, 7 1/2, or smaller. Shot size smaller than size 7 1/2 must be comprised of tungsten super shot or equivalent pellet density only. Shot sizes of equal or greater diameter than six (6) shot (diameter equal to eleven-hundredths (0.11) inch) up through and including four (4) shot (diameter equal thirteen-hundreths to thirteen-hundredths (0.13) inch) must have a density composition equal to or less than fifteen (15) grams per cubic centimeter.
(B) A bow and arrows, including crossbows as defined in
312 IAC 9-1-5.3, with the following restrictions:
(i) An individual must not use a:
(AA) long bow; or
(BB) compound bow;
of less than thirty-five (35) pounds pull.
(ii) Arrows must be equipped with metal or metal-edged, or flint, chert, or obsidian napped broadheads.
(iii) An individual must not use: a:
(AA) a crossbow of less than one hundred twenty-five (125) pounds pull;
(BB) a crossbow without a mechanical safety; or
(CC) a poisoned or an explosive arrow.
(iv) No portion of a bow's riser (handle) or:
(AA) track;
(BB) trough;
(CC) channel;
(DD) arrow rest; or
(EE) other device;
that attaches to the bow's riser shall contact, support, or guide the arrow from a point rearward of the bow's brace height.
(3) Hunt wild turkeys in the fall season that takes place during the deer muzzleloader season as established in
312 IAC 9-3-4(f) or during the deer special late antlerless season in a location where authorized as established in 312 IAC 9-3-4(h) 312 IAC 9-3-4 unless that individual wears hunter orange.
(4) Call wild turkeys for another individual unless licensed in accordance with under subsection (j) or (k). The individual who calls the wild turkey may have already harvested a wild turkey.
(f) The special youth season for hunting wild turkeys under this subsection is two (2) consecutive days beginning on the Saturday immediately before the start beginning of the spring turkey season established in subsection (a). As used in this subsection, "youth" means an individual who is less than eighteen (18) years of age on the date of the hunt. A youth who hunts a wild turkey under this section must be accompanied by an adult who is at least eighteen (18) years of age. An adult accompanying a youth hunter must not possess a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow while in the field. The seasonal limit for hunting wild turkeys under this subsection is one (1) bearded or male wild turkey. A youth hunter who takes a wild turkey under this subsection must not take another wild turkey during the spring turkey season in the same year.
(g) An individual must not use or possess:
(1) a dog;
(2) another domesticated animal;
(3) a live decoy;
(4) a recorded call;
(5) an electronically powered or controlled decoy; or
(6) bait;
while hunting a wild turkey. An area is considered baited for ten (10) days after the removal of the bait, but an area is not considered to be baited that is attractive to wild turkeys resulting from normal agricultural practices.
(h) An individual may possess a handgun while hunting wild turkeys
in accordance with under IC 35-47.
(1) wild turkeys unless possessing a completed and signed license bearing the individual's name; or
(2) with a wild turkey license issued to another individual.
(j) An individual may take a wild turkey during the spring season established under subsection (a) only if:
(1) issued a license to hunt wild turkeys with:
(A) a resident youth consolidated hunting license under
IC 14-22-11-10(b);
(C) a nonresident spring turkey license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(21);
(D) a resident youth consolidated hunting license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(24);
(E) a nonresident youth spring turkey license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(27);
(F) a lifetime comprehensive hunting license under
IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4) before its repeal;
(G) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under
IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5) before its repeal; or
(k) An individual may take a wild turkey during the fall season established under subsection (b) only if:
(1) issued a license to hunt wild turkeys with:
(A) a resident youth consolidated hunting license under
IC 14-22-11-10(b);
(C) a nonresident fall turkey license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(23);
(D) a resident youth consolidated hunting license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(24);
(E) a nonresident youth fall turkey license under
IC 14-22-12-1(a)(28);
(F) a lifetime comprehensive hunting license under
IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4) before its repeal;
(G) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under
IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5) before its repeal; or
(l) Immediately after taking a wild turkey, an individual must attach a piece of paper to a leg of the turkey directly above the spur stating the following:
(1) The name and address of the individual who took the turkey.
(2) The license number (if applicable) of the hunting license issued to the individual who took the turkey, if applicable.
(3) The date the wild turkey was taken.
(4) The sex of the wild turkey taken.
(m) An individual who takes a wild turkey must do one (1) of the following:
(1) Cause delivery of Ensure the wild turkey is delivered to an official turkey checking station within forty-eight (48) hours of taking as follows:
(A) Register the wild turkey in the name of the individual who took the wild turkey.
(B) Provide the check station with true and accurate information that includes the information on the piece of paper described in subsection (l).
(C) Record the confirmation number provided by the department's electronic harvest reporting system on the piece of paper described in subsection (l).
(2) Cause the reporting of Ensure the take is reported by providing true and accurate information required on the department's electronic harvest reporting system within forty-eight (48) hours of taking. The individual who took the wild turkey or the individual reporting the take of the turkey must record the department's electronic harvest confirmation number on the piece of paper described in subsection (l). This confirmation number must be maintained with the turkey until processing of the turkey begins.
(n) The department's electronic harvest confirmation number must be maintained with a wild turkey that is gifted to another individual until processing of the wild turkey begins.
(o) The official wild turkey checking station operator shall accurately report the taking of the a wild turkey on the department's electronic harvest reporting system and give the individual the confirmation number.
(p) The feathers and beard of a wild turkey must remain attached while the wild turkey is in transit from the site where taken.
(q) As used in this section, "bait" means to:
(1) place;
(2) expose;
(3) deposit;
(4) distribute; or
(5) scatter;
grain, salt, or other feed to lure, attract, or entice a wild turkey to an area where a person may take the wild turkey.
(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 9-4-11; filed May 12, 1997, 10:00 a.m.: 20 IR 2710; filed May 28, 1998, 5:14 p.m.: 21 IR 3715; filed Dec 26, 2001, 2:40 p.m.: 25 IR 1533; readopted filed Jul 28, 2003, 12:00 p.m.: 27 IR 286; filed Sep 23, 2004, 3:00 p.m.: 28 IR 541; filed May 25, 2005, 10:15 a.m.: 28 IR 2946; filed Jun 23, 2006, 2:24 p.m.: 20060719-IR-312050214FRA; filed Jan 8, 2007, 9:11 a.m.: 20070207-IR-312060193FRA; filed Sep 6, 2007, 12:20 p.m.: 20071003-IR-312070023FRA; readopted filed Nov 24, 2008, 11:08 a.m.: 20081210-IR-312080672RFA; filed Apr 3, 2009, 1:48 p.m.: 20090429-IR-312080740FRA; filed Mar 12, 2010, 1:28 p.m.: 20100407-IR-312090479FRA; filed Aug 27, 2010, 10:52 a.m.: 20100922-IR-312090984FRA; filed Dec 18, 2012, 2:00 p.m.: 20130116-IR-312120115FRA; readopted filed May 20, 2014, 9:43 a.m.: 20140618-IR-312140017RFA; filed Jun 15, 2015, 3:43 p.m.: 20150715-IR-312140453FRA; filed Jun 21, 2018, 1:45 p.m.: 20180718-IR-312170436FRA; readopted filed Sep 18, 2019, 1:16 p.m.: 20191016-IR-312190325RFA; filed May 11, 2021, 1:07 p.m.: 20210609-IR-312200602FRA)
Posted: 02/14/2024 by Legislative Services Agency
DIN: 20240214-IR-312240049FNA
Composed: May 15,2024 2:32:41PM EDT
A
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