Hunters responsible for understanding rules

<p>Compared to the complexity of western big game hunts, deer hunting rules and regulations in Indiana are pretty straightforward, but there is more to it than buying a license and checking in the deer you kill.</p><p>The Indiana Department of Natural Resources prints regulations books and also offers those regulations online through their website. Each year, you should make time to review the rules and regulations before pursuing game. They do change and it’s your responsibility to know and follow the rules.</p><p>It looks like Indiana is in position to have a successful deer season with a potential increase in total harvest. The pandemic has motivated more people to pursue outdoor activities, including hunting. Reports from the outdoor industry point to record sales across many categories. For example, it is a lot harder to find a kayak these days than it used to be, and ammunition shortages are popping up in certain areas. These statistics, along with increased license sales and applications, confirm more people are hunting, fishing, shooting and generally enjoying the outdoors.</p><p>A few items to keep in mind this hunting season:</p><p><strong>Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund</strong></p><p>There are more people than you likely realize across Indiana in need of food. Meat is especially tough to come by. Grains, starches, cereals and other non-perishables are more readily available, but protein-rich red meat is much harder to obtain.</p><p>The Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund affords deer hunters the opportunity to donate a deer or a portion of a deer to fellow Hoosiers for their dinner table. Donating gives hunters a way to support their community by providing venison to neighbors in need. Our state’s hungry need much more meat than the program currently processes.</p><p>&quot;I donate a deer every year because it makes my heart happy,&quot; my friend Nathan “Shags” McLeod said. &quot;I love to hunt and love the ability to put food on the table of those that need it the most during the winter and the holiday season. It’s a win/win.&quot;</p><p>I hope you’ll consider donating some nutritious meat to individuals or families that otherwise may do without. All you have to do is drop a deer off at a participating deer processor. There is no cost to the hunter. The Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund covers the cost of the processing.</p><p>Search for the Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund on the DNR website to find a list of participating processors.</p><p><strong>Baiting</strong></p><p>Walk into any Walmart or sporting goods store and you’ll find a large supply of “Deer Corn” and other deer attractants that are legal to buy, but not legal to hunt over. To be clear, you cannot hunt over bait in Indiana. The DNR defines bait as: 1) a solid or liquid that is transported and intended for consumption, 2) salt, 3) mineral blocks, and 4) food that is transported and placed for consumption, including, but not limited to, piles of apples and corn placed in the field.</p><p>The DNR considers an area baited for 10 days after the removal of the bait and the baited soil.</p><p><strong>Hunter Orange</strong></p><p>The “Orange Army” derives its name from the blaze orange clothing hunters must wear to make themselves more visible to other hunters for safety’s sake. The DNR requires hunter orange to be worn during firearms season, including Youth, Firearm, Muzzleloader, or Special Antlerless Firearm. They don’t specify how much hunter orange you have to wear, but a hat and vest is a good combination. You have to keep it on at all times during the hunt, including walking to and from the hunting location. If you are hunting from a ground blind, there must be at least 144 square inches of hunter orange material that is visible from any direction during firearms seasons.</p><p>See you down the trail …</p><p><em>Brandon Butler writes a weekly outdoors column for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>. For more Driftwood Outdoors, check out the podcast on <a href="http://www.driftwoodoutdoors.com">www.driftwoodoutdoors.com</a> or anywhere podcasts are streamed.</em></p>