Indiana commission seeking input on deer hunting rule changes

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Staff Reports
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A deer roaming Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by United States Fish and Wildlife Service

The Indiana Natural Resources Commission, or NRC, has opened a public comment period for proposed changes to Indiana’s deer hunting rules.

Comments are being requested before the commission votes on the final adoption of the proposed changes.

Most of the changes aim to simplify Indiana’s deer hunting rules and make them easier to understand, according to a press release from Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Proposed changes include:

  • A statewide bag limit of six antlerless deer.
  • A new County Antlerless Bag Limit instead of the season antlerless bag limits. With this change, the bonus antlerless license would be the multiple-season antlerless license that could be used in the archery, muzzleloader, and firearms seasons.
  • Hunters would not be able to harvest an antlerless deer on Fish & Wildlife properties with a firearm.
  • The use of crossbow equipment would be allowed with the archery license.
  • The minimum caliber for a muzzleloader would be reduced from 0.44 inches to 0.40 inches.
  • If a deer is unfit for human consumption, DNR staff would be able to issue an authorization to take an antlerless deer in its place that will not count toward the statewide bag limit or county limit.
  • Adding the deer Reduction Zones and County Antlerless Bag Limits.
  • Removing the Special Antlerless Firearms season.

The deadline for public comments is March 20.

How to comment

The public hearing on the rule changes will be held on March 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Garrison at Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis. Those interested can attend in person or online anytime during that timeframe. To attend the public hearing online via Microsoft Teams enter Meeting ID: 296 491 887 327, Passcode: xTCuyW.

Public comments can be submitted online at IN.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket/ via the “Comment on this rule” link in the Rulemaking Docket for the Deer Hunting Amendments.

Comments can also be mailed to:

Natural Resources Commission

Indiana Government Center North

100 North Senate Ave., Room N103

Indianapolis, IN 46204

More information

For more information on the proposed rule changes, visit wildlife.IN.gov/rule-regulation-changes/

Questions about the proposed deer rule changes should be directed to 812-334-3795 or [email protected]

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