The Indiana Natural Resources Commission has opened a public comment period for proposed changes to Indiana’s deer hunting rules before they vote on final adoption.
Most proposed changes intend to simplify deer hunting rules to make them easier to understand, according to a news release from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish & Wildlife.
The changes include:
-A statewide bag limit of six antlerless deer
-A newly created county antlerless bag limit instead of season antlerless bag limits. Because of 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 state fish and 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.
Public comments may be submitted online at IN.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket. Comments also may be mailed to Natural Resources Commission, Indiana Government Center North, 100 N. Senate Ave., Room N103, Indianapolis, IN 46204. The deadline for public comments is March 20.
A public hearing will be from 4 to 8 p.m. March 20 at the Garrison at Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis. The public may attend in person or online any time. To attend the public hearing online, go to Microsoft Teams and enter meeting ID 296 491 887 327 and passcode xTCuyW.
Sign up for updates online at wildlife.in.gov/rule-regulation-changes.
Questions about the proposed deer rule changes should be directed to 812-334-3795 or [email protected].