Fish & Wildlife Rule Changes
Bobcat rule changes
In March 2024, the Indiana General Assembly passed legislation directing Indiana DNR to set rules for bobcat harvest by July 2025. In 2025, Indiana successfully had its first bobcat season and DNR received feedback from those who participated. A total of 253 bobcats were harvested within one month of the season’s opening.
Proposed rule changes for 2026 expand the harvest to include hunting in addition to trapping, and set the quota to 400 bobcats:
- The season would start on Nov. 8, and run through Jan. 31, 2027, or until the quota is met, whichever is earlier, consistent with the 2025 season.
- The quota would rise to 400 bobcats with a goal of decreasing negative interactions with bobcats across the 40 counties with high-quality bobcat habitat, while still maintaining a strong bobcat population in Indiana.
- The season will include hunting in addition to trapping, following requests from some hunters to hunt bobcats.
Preliminary adoption was given by DNR Director Alan Morrison. The public hearing is scheduled for May 19 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. (ET) for the bobcat rule at the following location:
The Garrison at Fort Harrison State Park
6002 N. Post Road
Indianapolis, Indiana
You can attend in person or online anytime during the public hearing. To attend online, go to www.IN.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket and click on the link for the bobcat rule.
Comments can be mailed to: Natural Resources Commission, C/O Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Legal Division, 402 W. Washington Street, Room W-261, Indianapolis, IN 46204
The deadline for public comments during this first public comment period is May 19.
Wildlife-Related Rule Package
The proposed rule changes are as follows:
Definition of “Disability” in 312 IAC 9-1-5.5: The proposed change is to repeal the definition of “disability” to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act for who is eligible for the permit under IC 14-22-12-6 and 312 IAC 9-10-10. This allows those who are disabled as the result of age to be eligible for the permit.
Definition of “Game bird” in 312 IAC 9-1-7.5: The proposed change is to remove grouse from the list of what is considered a game bird and clarify the species of pheasant and quail for which the rule applies. There is no hunting season for grouse in Indiana, and thus, they are no longer a game bird.
Definition of “Inland Water” in 312 IAC 9-1-9.7: The proposed change is to remove the definition of “inland water” in rule since the same definition can be found in IC 14-8-2-131.7
Definition of “Relaxing Snare Lock” in 312 IAC 9-1-13.2: The proposed change is to repeal the definition of “relaxing snare lock” since it has been added to the definition of “snare lock” in 312 IAC 9-1-13.7.
Definition of “Snare Lock” in 312 IAC 9-1-13.7: The proposed change adds relaxing snare lock to the definition of “snare lock.”
Definition of “Venomous Reptile” in 312 IAC 9-1-14.5: The proposed change would amend the definition of “venomous reptile” to only include those that have venom that causes a serious illness, injury, or death to an individual. The current definition creates confusion by referring to a definition (“serious bodily injury”) in the Indiana Code that was not intended for this purpose and is not able to be determined by testing done on some species of venomous snakes.
Equipment for Deer Hunting in 312 IAC 9-3-3: The proposed change to rifles for deer hunting in 312 IAC 9-3-3(d) is needed to comply with IC 14-22-2-8 by removing the minimum bullet diameter and cartridge length specifications. During the 2025 legislative session, the Indiana General Assembly passed SEA 280 (P.L.76-2025), which sets forth the requirements for rifles used for deer hunting and prohibits the department from placing additional restrictions on rifles. In light of the statutory change for rifles permitted for deer hunting, the language in 312 IAC 9-3-3(d)(2)(D) governing handguns is removed because the language is no longer necessary.
Additionally, the department is proposing to amend 312 IAC 9-3-3(d) governing muzzleloaders. The changes result from a citizen petition to the commission to allow use of muzzleloaders that allow the primer and powder to be loaded from the breach end during the muzzleloader season; the bullet is still loaded from the muzzle. Most muzzleloaders on the market currently require that the bullet/sabot and powder be manually loaded through the muzzle, and the primer be loaded from the breech end. However, newer technology has been developed with a system that allows both the powder and primer to be safely loaded from the breech end, while the bullet is loaded from the muzzle. This allows the powder to stay dry, as well as help ensure a consistent and reliable source of powder. Because the powder is protected inside a vessel, it could also increase the number of days an individual can hunt, because they are not affected by rainy conditions. The encapsulated powder charge is a factory-manufactured, precision-measured plastic vessel that contains a pre-measured quantity of black powder substitute. This option still only allows one bullet/sabot to be fired at a time, and the powder, primer, and bullet must be re-loaded to fire another shot. This change would not affect the muzzleloader season but would allow additional types of muzzleloaders to be used during the muzzleloader season under 312 IAC 9-3-4. Muzzleloaders with this system do not increase the range that many other 50-caliber in-line muzzleloaders are currently capable of shooting already in Indiana. Additionally, this muzzleloader is currently already permitted during the special youth deer season, firearms season, and reduction zone season when firearms are allowed to be used under 312 IAC 9-3-3. Many consider this muzzleloader system to be less primitive, which some believe to be the intent of the muzzleloader season. However, “in-line” muzzleloaders are already allowed during the muzzleloader season, which are less primitive than the traditional flintlock or percussion muzzleloaders. All muzzleloaders considered for use during the muzzleloader season fire only one sabot/ball at a time before needing to be reloaded, but the more primitive muzzleloaders require both the powder and bullet to be loaded from the muzzle and don’t have the same effectiveness at a longer distance. The department included questions about this equipment in the 2024-25 Indiana Deer Management Survey that was distributed in 2025. Some who responded to the survey mentioned that these breech-loading muzzleloaders might improve safety during loading and unloading. There were 10,910 individuals who responded to the survey who indicated they hunt with a muzzleloader presently. Of those who indicated they hunt with a muzzleloader presently, 50% indicated that it would not change their behavior, 28% indicated that they would be unlikely to use the equipment and 22% indicated they would likely use the equipment. The department does not have any concerns regarding the deer population by allowing this muzzleloader during the muzzleloader season, and there are no additional safety concerns regarding the equipment.
Additional proposed deer rule changes would increase the county antlerless bag limits for Fayette and Franklin counties as the result of the deer population recovering from the impact of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD). In 2023, the department began receiving reports of deer found dead in Fayette and Franklin counties. Because it has been two years since this major outbreak, the department would like to increase the antlerless quotas in Fayette and Franklin counties to a number that will help manage the population and give hunters more opportunities to take deer.
List of “Exotic Mammals” in 312 IAC 9-3-18.5: The proposed change eliminates the family “Dasypodidae” from the list of mammal families that cannot be taken except by resident landowners and tenants while causing substantial damage to property. Nine-banded armadillos are a member of this family and are now living and breeding in Indiana; therefore, they are no longer an exotic mammal as defined in state law in IC 14-8-2-87. With this change, armadillos would be considered an “exempted wild animal” under 312 IAC 9-1-6 and allowed to be taken by anyone at any time of year without a permit from the department.
Taking and Possessing Migratory Birds and Waterfowl in 312 IAC 9-4-2: The proposed changes are necessary to comply with federal law that sets forth the methods, shooting hours, season dates, and bag limits for migratory birds and waterfowl each year. Since the department does not have any of the methods, shooting hours, dates, or bag limits in state law, these changes are necessary to ensure that hunters comply with federal law in 50 CFR 20 when hunting migratory birds and waterfowl. Additional changes remove the reference to the migratory bird depredation permit because the permit is being repealed and allows the nuisance wild animal control permit to be used for taking migratory birds that are causing damage or posing a health or safety risk, in addition to mammals and reptiles that are already covered under that permit. An additional regulatory reduction provides an exemption for individuals to take live migratory birds that are causing economic damage or posing a safety threat with a permit or written authorization from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under 50 CFR 21. The change in subsection (t) complies with federal law for taking the nest and eggs of Canadian geese without a permit from the department and the change in subsection (u) allows individuals to either have the state permit as authorized under DNR’s federal permit to take Canada geese and mallard ducks or have the federal permit. The change in subsection (x) for the youth license is needed to comply with IC 14-22-12-1(a)(24).
Crow hunting season in 312 IAC 9-4-7.1: The proposed change is to close the crow season on February 28th to comply with federal regulations under 50 CFR 20.133, which limits the season to no more than one hundred twenty-four (124) days each calendar year. On leap years, the last day of February causes the season to exceed 124 days.
Endangered species of birds in 312 IAC 9-4-14: One proposed change is to remove the Kirtland’s warbler from the state’s list of endangered species of birds. Kirtland’s warbler was first added to the state’s list of endangered species in 1967 to fulfill requirements of IC 14-22-34-1 that defines an “endangered species” as “any species or subspecies of fish or wildlife appearing on the United States list of endangered and threatened native fish and wildlife (50 CFR 17, Appendix D).” Simply, all federally listed species that have been observed in Indiana must be included on the State’s Endangered list. In November 2019, Kirtland’s warbler was removed from the federal Endangered Species List and declared to be fully recovered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This change in its federal status warrants its removal as a state endangered species because: (1) Indiana cannot significantly contribute to the conservation and management of this species as it is an accidental species in the state; and (2) Indiana does not provide suitable breeding or wintering habitat or frequented stopover sites for this species where conservation action can be most effective. The current range of the Kirtland’s warbler extends from the jack pine forests of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ontario to early successional habitats of the Bahamas. Only rarely does it pass through Indiana during spring or fall migration. Hence, the species has an accidental occurrence in Indiana with a maximum of a couple Kirtland’s warblers seen annually. Because of its extreme rarity in the state, the department’s Nongame Bird Technical Advisory Committee that is comprised of the division’s ornithologist, a representative from the Indiana Audubon Society, and professors specializing in bird research from several universities, unanimously recommended delisting the Kirtland’s warbler as a fully recovered species based primarily on its recovered federal status and Indiana’s minor role in its conservation due to its rarity in the state. The Kirtland’s warbler would still be protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and state law governing migratory birds.
Additional changes in the rule for the common and scientific names of the birds are needed to comply with the taxonomic list managed by the American Ornithological Society and are consistent with the terms used in federal regulations.
Scientific names of native reptiles and amphibians in 312 IAC 9-5-4: The proposed changes would change the names of the species of endangered reptiles and amphibians to match the 9th edition of the Scientific and Standard English Names of Amphibians and Reptiles of North America North of Mexico, published in March of 2025 by the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Because the copperbelly watersnake and eastern massasauga are also federally endangered, the names need to match federal law to be clear that these are the same species of snakes.
Taking frogs in 312 IAC 9-5-6: The proposed changes would allow additional frog gigs as well as air rifles and dip nets to take frogs. Changes are proposed to the specifications for frog gigs in subsection (j) to allow for gigs that do not have a single row of tines. This proposed change would allow any number of tines or design (single row, square, cone, etc.). By using a gig with four prongs, frog retrieval may be easier, meaning that fewer might be injured and escape. The proposed changes were the result of a petition to the commission last year. Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois all allow gigs to be used to take frogs without specifying their size or number of tines. The proposed change in subsection (j)(7) would allow air rifles to be used that don’t have lead shot, allowing for other types of ammunition to be used. Lead can cause illness or death in birds that ingest lead by eating the frogs; therefore, this change could help provide for less lead used to take frogs (since not every frog that is shot is likely to be retrieved). Allowing dipnets to take frogs will also allow children and others to collect frogs with this method, which is commonly used to collect crayfish and other aquatic species. A person must still comply with the season dates and bag limits for taking frogs but would have additional options for taking frogs. A person would still need to comply with the law governing taking frogs, including the bag limit and season dates.
Names of native reptiles and amphibians in 312 IAC 9-5-7: Proposed technical changes to the names of the species of endangered reptiles and amphibians for the same reasons set forth above for 312 IAC 9-5-4.
Reptile captive breeder’s license in 312 IAC 9-5-9: The proposed change would remove the fee in subsection (d). The fee was changed and is now found in 312 IAC 1.5. An additional proposed change is to the common and scientific name for the gray ratsnake, now central ratsnake, to match the 9th edition of the Scientific and Standard English Names of Amphibians and Reptiles of North America North of Mexico.
Nuisance wild animal control permit in 312 IAC 9-10-11: The proposed change would allow migratory birds such as Canadian geese and mallard ducks that are causing damage or posing health or safety risks to be taken under this permit, rather than obtaining another permit for that purpose.
Limited take permit in 312 IAC 9-10-18: The proposed changes would allow limited take permits to be issued for endangered species that are state endangered and not federally endangered and remove the requirement of a Habitat Conservation Plan. This will provide a permit option for businesses that inadvertently take state endangered bats or other state endangered species during the normal course of operation or when they are unable to prevent the take. It also removes the requirement that a Habitat Conservation Plan be submitted because the plan is available online for federally endangered species permits through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For applicants that also need a permit for construction in a floodway from the department, they will likely have already submitted a mitigation plan or provided funds in lieu of on-site mitigation that may involve taking an endangered species.
Migratory bird depredation permit in 312 IAC 9-10-23: The proposed change would repeal this rule. Language has been proposed to be removed in 312 IAC 9-10-11 to allow nuisance wild animal control permits to be issued to take migratory birds that are causing damage or posing a health or safety threat to people or domestic animals. A federal migratory bird depredation permit is still required to take a migratory bird under 50 CFR 21.100.
Deer control permits in 312 IAC 9-10-25: The proposed change would allow deer control permits to be issued for more than (90) days, which will help landowners and tenants that are experiencing damage to their crops and other vegetation throughout the growing season. This will eliminate the need for the permit holder to renew or obtain an additional permit during the growing season when damage is still occurring.
Wild animal possession permit in 312 IAC 9-11-2: The proposed change would remove the requirement that an animal be examined by a veterinarian within forty-five (45) days of the issuance of a permit. Individuals have difficulty getting an animal examined by a veterinarian within this timeframe and may already have a health certificate signed by a veterinarian that was provided by the breeder when the animal was purchased. The department does not believe this is necessary since the animal must be examined by a veterinarian every calendar year to renew a permit under 312 IAC 9-11-3(c). The fee is being removed in subsection (g) because the fee was changed and is under 312 IAC 1.5.
Preliminary adoption was given by DNR Director Alan Morrison. The public hearing is scheduled for May 19 at 3 p.m. (ET) for the wildlife rule package at the following location:
The Garrison at Fort Harrison State Park
6002 N. Post Road
Indianapolis, Indiana
You can attend in person or online anytime during the public hearing. To attend online, go to www.IN.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket and click on the link for the wildlife rule package.
Comments can be mailed to: Natural Resources Commission, C/O Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Legal Division, 402 W. Washington Street, Room W-261, Indianapolis, IN 46204
The deadline for public comments during this first public comment period is May 19.
