changes coming to Indiana deer seasons

[trapperDave]

Tuesday 6th, July 2010
Indiana Sportsmen's Roundtable Membership Meeting: July 14th
Join us at the next ISR Membership Meeting at the Inn at Fort Harrison (The former Kendall Inn, 5830 N Post Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46216). Get directions here.

The Wednesday evening meeting will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Agenda:

Special Topic: Deer Season Changes-Draft Rule on DNR Commission Agenda July 20th (Click here to download the draft rule; see summary below.)
Lifetime License Funding for 70,000 acres at Muscatatuck and Wabash Fish and Wildlife Areas
Atterbury/Putnam Land Swap endorsement
Newport Fish and Wildlife Area-2,000 acres fish and wildlife
Hunters Feeding the Hungry – new voluntary contributions with hunting license
Smallmouth Bass minimum size to 14 inches
Fox and coyote dog training
Other issues from the membership
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Summary of Proposed Deer Rule Changes
Definitions

Moves the definition of crossbow to the definitions section, instead of defining it in
312 IAC 9-3-3

Adds a definition of ground blind
General Requirements and Licenses

Adds the new nonresident youth deer license types
Adds license requirements for the new special antlerless seasons
Requires hunter orange for youth hunters during the youth special deer season and during the new antlerless only seasons; hunter orange is already required for all deer hunters during the firearms and muzzleloader seasons
Requires at least 144 square inches of hunter orange material on a ground blind used while deer hunting during a season when a hunter is already required to wear hunter orange
Requires the owner's name and address on ground blinds used on department properties
Hunting Equipment

Allows a crossbow to be used by hunters who are at least 64 years old during the early archery season
Allows a crossbow to be used during the deer firearms and muzzleloader seasons by hunters of any age
Allows a hunter of any age to use a crossbow in an urban deer zone during the urban deer season.
Allows a rifle cartridge to have a maximum case length of 1.8 inches instead of 1.625 inches
Seasons and Bag Limits

Allows youth hunters to take the number of antlerless deer allowed in each county during the special youth deer season (in addition to one antlered deer)
Extends the urban deer season through January 31 of the following year
Requires hunters to take at least one antlerless deer prior to taking an antlered deer in the urban deer season
Expands the urban deer zones in Lake and Porter counties to all of those counties
Changes the deer firearms season to start on the first Saturday before Thanksgiving and continue for only 8 additional days
Shortens the deer muzzleloader season to only 9 days
Adds an antlerless deer only firearms season in October (2 days only) in counties with an antlerless quota of 4 or more. The hunter may take the number of antlerless deer in each county allowed under the bonus county quota.
Adds another antlerless deer-only firearms season from December 25 through January 1 of the following year. The hunter may take the number of antlerless deer in each county allowed under the bonus county quota.
Military Reserves and National Wildlife Refuges

Opens the firearms season on designated military reserves and national wildlife refuges on October 1 instead of November 1
Adds the new nonresident youth deer hunting license types
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Indiana Sportsmen's Rountable
4715 W. 106th Street Zionsville, IN 46077
www.insportsmensrountable.org

[Bryan78]

Some of these changes are going to suck.  Like the shorting of the firearms and muzzleloader seasons.  That is going to upset quite a few hunters in this state.  I swear, stupid people making stupid decisions. 

If they want to get the population down to more manageable numbers then they are going to have to add days not take them away or move a few days to here and there.

[MAXELM]

I don't know if I'm going to like this or not. It does seem to be counter productive to reducing the deer population by having less days to gun hunt. I might go to the next meeting on this and listen to what is said......??

[trophyhunter1980]

Who is coming up with some of these rules? Just because other states have screwed up hunting regulations does not mean that Indiana should follow in the tracks of too much regulation. I am a lifetime License holder and with rules like these I will lose interest fast in the outdoors. 

[Bryan78]

Someone said on Turkey & Turkey Hunting that these changes are going to be in effect and all these meetings are for is for hunters to pretend that they have a say. 

If I were Governor of this state, this would not happen or I would fire everyone and hire new people.

[trapperDave]

TITLE 312 NATURAL RESOURCES COMISSION
Proposed Rule
LSA # 10-
DIGEST
Adds 312 IAC 9-1-5.5 to define "crossbow" and adds 312 IAC 9-1-7.6 to define "ground blind." Amends 312 IAC 9-3-2 which governs general requirements and licenses for hunting deer to include the new nonresident youth deer licenses and specify hunter orange requirements for groundblinds. Amends 312 IAC 9-3-3 governing the use of crossbows, rifles and blinds used while deer hunting. Amends 312 IAC 9-3-4 governing the season dates and bag limits for the special youth deer season, firearms season, and muzzleloader season and amends the urban deer zones in Lake and Porter counties. Amends 312 IAC 9-3-8 by opening the firearms season on October 1 on military reserves and national wildlife refuges and adds the new nonresident youth deer licenses. Effective thirty days after filing with the Publisher.
312 IAC 9-1-5.5
312 IAC 9-1-7.6
312 IAC 9-3-2
312 IAC 9-3-3
312 IAC 9-3-4
312 IAC 9-3-8
SECTION 1. 312 IAC 9-1-5.5 IS ADDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
312 IAC 9-1-5.5 Crossbow defined
Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-22-2-6
Affected: IC 14-22
Sec. 5.5. "Crossbow" means a device for propelling an arrow by means of traverse limbs mounted on a stock and a string and having a working safety that may be drawn, held, and released by a mechanical device and has the following:
(1) At least one hundred twenty-five (125) pounds pull, and
(2) A mechanical safety.
SECTION 2. 312 IAC 9-1-7.6 IS ADDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
312 IAC 9-1-7.6 "Ground Blind" defined
Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-22-2-6
Affected: IC 14-22
Sec. 2.7.6. "Ground blind" means a manufactured product that is used to completely conceal a hunter so that the hunter orange worn by the individual is not visible.
SECTION 3. 312 IAC 9-3-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
312 IAC 9-3-2 General requirements and licenses for hunting deer
Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-22-2-6
Affected: IC 14-22; IC 35-47-2
Sec. 2. (a) This section and sections 3 through 10 of this rule govern the:
(1) hunting;
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(2) transportation; and
(3) disposal;
of deer.
(b) Species of deer other than white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are exempted from the following:
(1) This section.
(2) Sections 3 through 9 of this rule.
An individual who claims the exemption provided under this subsection must prove the deer is other than a white-tailed deer.
(c) The licenses identified in this section are nonexclusive. An individual may apply for one (1) or more of these licenses.
(d) Except as provided under IC 14-22-11-1 and IC 14-22-11-11, an individual must not hunt deer:
(1) unless the individual possesses a completed and signed license authorized under this section bearing the individual's name; or
(2) with a deer license issued to another individual.
(e) A youth hunter may take a deer during the youth deer season established in section 4(b) of this rule only if:
(1) issued a license to hunt deer with:
(A) a resident youth consolidated hunting license under IC 14-22-11-10(b) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(24);
(B) a nonresident youth deer firearm 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 lifetime comprehensive hunting license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4);
(C) (F) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5); or
(D) (G) an apprentice resident youth consolidated hunting license of the types identified in clauses (A) through (D) under IC 14-22-12-1.7; or
(2) hunting deer without a license under IC 14-22-11-1 and 312 IAC 9-2-14.
(f) An individual may take a deer with a bow and arrow during the archery season established in section 4(e) (c) of this rule only if:
(1) issued a license to hunt deer by bow and arrows with:
(A) a resident deer archery license under IC 14-22-11-10(a) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(14);
(B) a nonresident deer archery license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(17);
(C) a resident youth consolidated hunting license under IC 14-22-11-10(b) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(24);
(D) a nonresident youth deer archery license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(31);
(E) a lifetime comprehensive hunting license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4);
(E) (F) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5); or
(F) (G) an apprentice license of the types identified in clauses (A) through (C) (D) under IC 14-22-12-1.7; or
(2) hunting without a license under IC 14-22-11-1 and 312 IAC 9-2-14.
(g) An individual may take a deer with a firearm during the firearms season established in section 4(h) (e) of this rule only if:
(1) issued a license to hunt deer by firearms with:
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(A) a resident deer firearms license under IC 14-22-11-10(a) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(12);
(B) a nonresident deer firearms license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(15);
(C) a resident youth consolidated hunting license under IC 14-22-11-10(b) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(24);
(D) a nonresident youth deer firearm license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(29);
(E) a lifetime comprehensive hunting license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4);
(E) (F) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5); or
(F) (G) an apprentice license of the types identified in clauses (A) through (C) (D) under IC 14-22-12-1.7; or
(2) hunting deer without a license under IC 14-22-11-1 and 312 IAC 9-2-14.
(h) An individual may take a deer with a muzzleloader during the muzzleloader season established in section 4(i) (f) of this rule only if:
(1) issued a license to hunt deer by a muzzleloader with:
(A) a resident deer muzzleloader license under IC 14-22-11-10(a) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(13);
(B) a nonresident deer muzzleloader license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(16);
(C) a resident youth consolidated hunting license under IC 14-22-11-10(b) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(24);
(D) a nonresident youth deer muzzleloader license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(30);
(E) a lifetime comprehensive hunting license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4);
(E) (F) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5); or
(F) (G) an apprentice license of the types identified in clauses (A) through (C) (D) under IC 14-22-12-1.7; or
(2) hunting deer without a license under IC 14-22-11-1 and 312 IAC 9-2-14.
(i) An individual may take a deer during the urban deer season established in section 4(f)(d) of this rule only if:
(1) issued a license to hunt deer with:
(A) a resident deer archery license under IC 14-22-11-10(a) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(14);
(B) a nonresident deer archery license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(17);
(C) a resident extra deer license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18);
(D) a nonresident extra deer license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19);
(E) a resident youth consolidated hunting license under IC 14-22-11-10(b) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(24);
(F) a nonresident youth deer archery license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(31);
(G) a nonresident youth deer extra archery license IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
(H) an apprentice license of the types identified in clauses (A) through (E) (G) under IC 14-22-12-1.7;
(G) (I) a lifetime comprehensive hunting license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4); or
(H) (J) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5); or
(2) hunting deer without a license under IC 14-22-11-1 and 312 IAC 9-2-14.
(j) An individual may take a deer during the special antlerless deer season established in section 4(h) of this rule only if:
(1) issued a license to hunt deer with:
(A) a resident extra deer license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18);
(B) a nonresident extra deer license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19);
(C) a resident youth consolidated hunting license under IC 14-22-11-10(b) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(24);
(D) an apprentice license of the types identified in clauses (A) through (C) under IC 14-22-12-1.7;
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(E) a lifetime comprehensive hunting license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4); or
(F) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5); or
(2) hunting deer without a license under IC 14-22-11-1 and 312 IAC 9-2-14.
(j) (k) An individual may take an antlerless deer in a designated county, by authority of an extra deer bonus antlerless license, only as authorized under section 4(j) (g) and (4)(h) of this rule.
(k) (l) An individual must, immediately upon taking a deer, attach a piece of paper to the deer that states the following:
(1) The name and address of the individual who took the deer.
(2) The license number (if applicable) of the individual who took the deer.
(3) The sex of the deer.
(4) The month and day the deer was taken.
A deer must be tagged with the piece of paper before leaving the field. A deer that is in the field is not required to be tagged if the individual who takes the deer maintains immediate custody of, and constant visual contact with, the deer carcass.
(l) (m) An individual who takes a deer must cause delivery of the deer carcass to an official checking station for registration in the name of the individual who took the deer on the occurrence of the earlier of the following:
(1) Within forty-eight (48) hours of the taking of the deer.
(2) Before the deer is removed from this state.
The individual who delivers the deer carcass to an official checking station for registration must provide true and accurate information for the check station logs, including the name and license number of the individual who took the deer and the date the deer was taken.
(m) (n) The head of a deer must remain attached to the carcass until the tag is attached and locked at the deer checking station.
(n) (o) After the checking station operator records the permanent seal number on the log and collects the piece of paper described in subsection (k), the operator shall give the seal to the individual. The individual must immediately affix the seal:
(1) between a tendon and bone;
(2) through a section of skin or flesh; or
(3) around a branched antler;
to prevent its removal (without cutting the seal or the body part to which it is affixed). The seal must be maintained until processing of the deer begins.
(o) (p) The checking station operator must do the following:
(1) Accurately and legibly complete all forms provided by the department.
(2) Make those forms available to department personnel upon request.
(p) (q) An individual must not hunt deer except from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to one-half (1/2) hour after sunset.
(q) (r) An individual must not hunt deer unless that individual wears wear hunter orange. However, this subsection does not apply:
(1) before the commencement of the firearms in a season set forth in section sections 4(b), 4(e), 4(f), and (4)(h) of this rule; and
(2) after the muzzleloading gun in that portion of the archery season set forth in section 4(f) 4(c) of this rule that overlaps a season set forth in sections 4(e), 4

[trapperDave]

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(s) A ground blind that is:
(1) occupied must contain a minimum of one hundred forty-four (144) square inches of material that is solid hunter orange and is visible three hundred and sixty (360) degrees around the blind during:
(A) that portion of the archery season set forth in section 4(c) of this rule that overlaps a season set forth in sections 4(e), 4(f), and (4)(h) of this rule; and
(B) during the youth special deer season set forth in section 4(b) of this rule.
(2) left unoccupied on department property must visibly bear the name and address of the owner written in the English language in a conspicuous location on the outside of the blind near the entrance.
(t) Before September 1, 2012, an individual must not take more than one (1) antlered deer during the seasons for an annual deer license.
(s) (u) An individual must not hunt 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 of corn and apples placed in the 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 food supplements;
(C) salt; or
(D) mineral supplements;
(2) snares;
(3) dogs; or
(4) other domesticated animals.
The use of manufactured scents and lures or similar chemical or natural attractants is not prohibited.
(t) (v) An area is considered baited for ten (10) days after the removal of the bait or the baited soil. Hunting an area, such as an orchard, which may be attractive to deer as the result of normal agricultural activity, is not prohibited.
(u) (w)Notwithstanding subsection (s), an individual may use dogs only while on a leash to track or trail wounded deer.
(v) (x) Notwithstanding subsection (s), an individual may use:
(1) donkeys;
(2) mules; and
(3) horses;
for transportation to and from a hunt but not while hunting.
(w) (y)An individual must not hunt white-tailed deer possessed under the authority of a game breeder license under 312 IAC 9-10-4.
(x) (z) An individual may possess a handgun in accordance with IC 35-47 while hunting deer if the individual:
(1) has a valid unlimited license to carry a handgun issued under IC 35-47-2-3;
(2) has a valid unlimited license to carry a handgun recognized under IC 35-47-2-21(b); or
(3) is not required to possess a license to carry a handgun under IC 35-47-2-2.
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(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)
SECTION 4. 312 IAC 9-3-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
312 IAC 9-3-3 Equipment for deer hunting
Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-22-2-6
Affected: IC 14-22-11-1; IC 14-22-11-10; IC 14-22-12-1; IC 14-22-12-7; IC 35-47-2
Sec. 3. (a) During the youth special deer season established in section 4(b) of this rule, a youth hunter must hunt deer only with the following equipment:
(1) A bow and arrow as described in subsection (b)(1) through (b)(5).
(2) A crossbow as described defined in subsection (b)(6) and (b)(7) 312 IAC 9-1-5.5.
(3) A shotgun as described in subsection (d)(1).
(4) A muzzleloading long gun as described in subsection (d)(3).
(5) A rifle, with the use of cartridges described in subsection (d)(4).
(b) During the archery season established in section 4(c) of this rule, an individual must hunt deer only with the following equipment:
(1) A long bow or compound bow that has at least thirty-five (35) pounds pull.
(2) Arrows that are equipped with metal or metal-edged (or flint, chert, or obsidian napped) broadheads.
(3) Poisoned or explosive arrows are unlawful.
(4) Bows drawn, held, or released other than by hand or hand-held releases are unlawful.
(5) No portion of the bow's riser (handle) or any:
(A) track;
(B) trough;
(C) channel;
(D) arrow rest; or
(E) 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.
(6) In addition to the equipment described in subdivisions (1) through (5), during the late archery season established in section4(c)(2) of this rule, an individual may use a crossbow that has either of the following may be used as follows:
(A) At least one hundred twenty-five (125) pounds pull By any individual during the archery season established in section 4(c)(2) of this rule.
(B) A mechanical safety By an individual who is at least sixty-four (64) years of age in the archery season established in section 4(c) of this rule.
(C) By an individual who possesses a permit to hunt with a crossbow under 312 IAC 9-10-10 in the archery season established in section 4(c) of this rule.
(7) As used in this section, "crossbow" means a device for propelling an arrow by means of traverse limbs mounted on a stock and a string and having a working safety. The crossbow may be drawn, held, and released by a mechanical device.
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(c) During the firearms season established in section 4(e) of this rule and the special antlerless season established in section 4(h) of this rule, an individual must hunt 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 described in subsection (d)(4) only.
(7) A bow and arrows described in subsection (b)(1) through (b)(5).
( A crossbow as defined at 312 IAC 9-1-5.5.
(d) As used in section 2 of this rule, this section, and sections 4 through 8 of this rule, a firearm must meet the following specifications:
(1) A shotgun must have a gauge 10, 12, 16, 20, or .410 bore loaded with a single projectile.
(2) A handgun must:
(A) conform to the requirements of IC 35-47-2;
(B) have a barrel at least four (4) inches long;
(C) fire a bullet of two hundred forty-three thousandths (.243) inch diameter or larger; and
(D) not be a rifle that has a barrel less than eighteen (18) inches or is designed or redesigned to be fired from the shoulder. The handgun cartridge case, without bullet, must be at least one and sixteen-hundredths (1.16) inches long. Full metal jacketed bullets are unlawful. All 25/20, 32/20, 30 carbine, and 38 special ammunition is prohibited.
(3) A muzzleloading long gun must be .44 caliber or larger, loaded with a bullet at least three hundred fifty-seven thousandths (.357) inch or larger. A muzzleloading handgun must be single shot, .50 caliber or larger, loaded with bullets 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. A muzzleloading gun must be capable of being loaded only from the muzzle, including both powder and bullet.
(4) A rifle must fire a cartridge that meets the following specifications:
(A) Fire a bullet of three hundred fifty-seven thousandths (.357) of an inch diameter or larger.
(B) Have a minimum case length of one and sixteen-hundredths (1.16) inches.
(C) Have a maximum case length of one and six hundred twenty-five thousandths (1.625) eight tenths (1. inches.
(5) Over-and-under combination rifle-shotguns are prohibited.
(e) During the muzzleloader season established in section 4(f) of this rule, an individual must hunt deer only with a:
(1) muzzleloading long gun as described in subsection (d)(3);
(2) muzzleloading handgun as described in subsection (d)(3); or
(3) bow and arrows as described in subsection (b)(1) through (b)(5) or crossbows as defined at 312 IAC 9-1-5.5.
(f) During the urban deer season established in section 4(d) of this rule, an individual must hunt deer only with bows and arrows described in section 4(b)(1) 3(b)(1) through 4(b)(5) 3(b)(5) of this rule during the early archery season established in section 4(c)(1) of this rule. During the urban deer season established in section 4(d) of this rule, an individual must hunt deer only with bows and arrows, including crossbows, described in subsection (b)(1) through (b)(7) during the late archery season described in subsection (c)(2) or crossbows as defined at 312 IAC 9-1-5.5.
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(g) An individual must not erect, place, or hunt from a permanent tree or ground blind on state owned lands. A tree or ground blind placed on:
(1) state owned or state leased lands;
(2) U.S. Forest Service lands; or
(3) any national wildlife refuge;
must be portable and may be left overnight only between September 1 and January 10. 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 portable tree or ground blind must be legibly marked with the name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the tree blind in the English language.
(h) An individual must not use infrared sensors to locate or take deer. An individual must not hunt or retrieve deer with the aid of an infrared detector.
(i) An individual must 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)
SECTION 5. 312 IAC 9-3-4 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
312 IAC 9-3-4 Season dates and bag limits
Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-22-2-6
Affected: IC 14-22
Sec. 4. (a) An individual must not take more than one (1) deer with each deer license.
(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.
(1) The seasonal limit for hunting deer under this subsection is one (1) antlered deer of either sex and the number of antlerless deer established under subsection (g) for the county being hunted.
(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 subsection (c);
(B) firearm season established in subsection (e); or
(C) muzzleloader season established in 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) A youth who hunts a deer under this subsection must be accompanied by an adult of at least eighteen (18) years of age who:
(A) does not possess a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow while in the field;
(B) possesses a valid hunting license of any type that is not an apprentice license;
(C) must not accompany more than two (2) youth hunters at any one (1) time; and
(D) must be in close proximity and able to communicate with the youth hunter at all times.
(c) The archery deer season is as follows:
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(1) Early archery season is from October 1 through the closing day of firearms season as established in subsection (e).
(2) Late archery season is from the first Saturday after the closing day of firearms season as established in subsection (e) through the first Sunday in January.
(3) An individual must take not more than two (2) deer of which only one (1) may be antlered under this subsection.
(4) After August 31, 2012, an individual must not take an antlered deer by means of a crossbow.
(d) The urban deer season is as follows:
(1) From September 15 through the closing day of firearms season as established in subsection (e) January 31 of the following year.
(2) During the late archery season as established in subsection (c)(2)
(3) An individual must take not more than four (4) deer of which only one (1) may be antlered under this subsection. At least one (1) antlerless deer must be taken prior to taking an antlered deer under this subsection.
(4) A deer taken under this subsection does not count against a bag limit for deer set elsewhere in this rule.
(5) The following areas have been designated as urban deer zones subject to the urban deer season:
(A) The Indianapolis urban deer zone includes the following:
(i) All of Marion County.
(ii) That portion of Hendricks County east of State Highway 267.
(iii) The southeast portion of Boone County as bounded by the following:
(AA) State Highway 267.
(BB) Interstate Highway 65.
(CC) State Highway 32.
(iv) That portion of Hamilton County south of State Highway 32.
(B) The Fort Wayne urban deer zone includes that portion of Allen County lying within the bounds of Interstate Highway 69 and State Highway 469.
(C) The Evansville urban deer zone includes all of Vanderburgh County.
(D) The Lafayette urban deer zone includes the portion of Tippecanoe County north of State Highway 28.
(E) The Gary Lake county urban deer zone includes that portion all of Lake County north of U.S. Highway 30.
(F) The Crown Point urban deer zone includes that portion of Lake County within the corporate limits of Crown Point.
(G) The Chesterton Porter county urban deer zone includes the portion all of Porter County north of U.S. Highway 94.
(H) The Michigan City urban deer zone includes that portion of LaPorte County north of U.S. Highway 94.
(I) (G) The Warsaw urban deer zone includes the portion of Kosciusko County within the corporate limits of the city of Warsaw.
(e) The firearms deer is season from the first Saturday after November 11 before Thanksgiving and continues for an additional fifteen (15) eight ( days. An individual must take not more than one (1) antlered deer under this subsection.

[trapperDave]

(f) The deer hunting season for only using a muzzleloading long gun or muzzleloading handgun is from the first Saturday after the closing day of firearms season as established in subsection (e) and continues for an additional fifteen (15) eight ( days. An individual must not take more than one (1) deer of either sex under this subsection.
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(g) The season and bag limit for hunting 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.
(h) The special antlerless deer season is as follows:
(1) The second weekend in October in counties with an antlerless quota of four (4) or more deer as determined under subsection (g).
(2) From December 25 through January 1 of the following year statewide.
(3) 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; 312IAC 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)
SECTION 6. 312 IAC 9-3-8 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
312 IAC 9-3-8 Hunting deer on designated military reserves and national wildlife refuges with additional deer hunting licenses
Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-22-2-6
Affected: IC 14-22-11-10; IC 14-22-12
Sec. 8. (a) This section governs the activities of an individual who is hunting deer on military reserves and national wildlife refuges.
(b) If selected by drawing or invitation, an individual may hunt deer under this section on a military reserve or national wildlife refuge as follows:
(1) By firearms from November October 1 through December 31.
(2) By bow and arrows from October 1 through December 31.
The specific hunting dates and equipment will be determined annually by the department in conjunction with the management staff of the military reserve or national wildlife refuge.
(c) An individual must use equipment authorized under section 3 of this rule to take a deer under this section.
(d) An individual may take a deer on a military reserve or national wildlife refuge only if issued one (1) of the following licenses:
(1) A resident deer archery license under IC 14-22-11-10(a) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(14).
(2) A nonresident deer archery license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(17).
(3) A resident deer firearms license under IC 14-22-11-10(a) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(12).
(4) A nonresident deer firearms license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(15).
(5) A resident deer muzzleloader license under IC 14-22-11-10(a) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(13).
(6) A nonresident deer muzzleloader license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(16).
(7) A resident extra deer license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18).
( A nonresident extra deer license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19).
(9) A resident youth consolidated hunting license under IC 14-22-11-10(b) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(24);
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(10) A nonresident youth deer firearm license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(29);
(11) A nonresident youth deer muzzleloader license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(30);
(12) A nonresident youth deer archery license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(31);
(13) A nonresident youth deer extra license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
(14) An apprentice license of the types identified in subdivisions (1) through ( (13) under IC 14-22-12-1.7.
(10) (15) A lifetime comprehensive hunting license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4).
(11) (16) A lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5).
(e) An individual must comply with the season dates and bag limit for deer hunting as established in section 4 of this rule if using one (1) of the following licenses to hunt on a military reserve or national wildlife refuge:
(1) A resident deer archery license under IC 14-22-11-10(a) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(14).
(2) A nonresident deer archery license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(17).
(3) A resident deer firearms license under IC 14-22-11-10(a) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(12).
(4) A nonresident deer firearms license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(15).
(5) A resident deer muzzleloader license under IC 14-22-11-10(a) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(13).
(6) A nonresident deer muzzleloader license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(16).
(7) A resident youth consolidated hunting license under IC 14-22-11-10(b) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(24);
( A nonresident youth deer firearm license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(29);
(9) A nonresident youth deer muzzleloader license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(30);
(10) A nonresident youth deer archery license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(31);
(11) An apprentice license of the types identified in subdivisions (1) through (6) (10) under IC 14-22-12-1.
(f) An individual may take one (1) deer of either sex for each extra deer military/refuge license on a military reserve or national wildlife refuge. An antlered deer taken under this section is exempted from the limitations placed on the taking of antlered deer set forth in section 2 of this rule.
(g) In addition to the other licenses authorized by this section, the division may issue an extra deer military/refuge license under this subsection. This extra deer military/refuge license authorizes the taking of a deer of either sex only from a military reserve or national wildlife refuge.
(h) An individual must comply with all of the provisions in section 2 of this rule with the exception of subsections (a), (b), and (e) through (j). (Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 9-3-8; filed May 12, 1997, 10:00 a.m.: 20 IR 2705; filed Dec 26, 2001, 2:40 p.m.: 25 IR 1532; readopted filed Jul 28, 2003, 12:00 p.m.: 27 IR 286; readopted filed Nov 24, 2008, 11:08 a.m.: 20081210-IR- 312080672RFA; filed Nov 3, 2009, 3:34 p.m.: 20091202-IR-312090044FRA)

[trapperDave]

ignore the emoticons.... they popped up when pasting due to punctuations  lol

[Bryan78]

I was thinking about the upcoming changes and there is a lot of talk over at HoosierHunting.com and since it is quite obvious that bow hunters in this state are going to make out like bandits if this rules go into effect (which I think they are going to).   This is what I propose so this way everyone gets affected equally and I think this will go a long way in helping reducing the population.
Deer hunting in Indiana should run from Sept. 15th to Jan. 31st
Urban Deer Zone season:  Sept. 15th to Jan. 31st     Antlerless
General Archery season (statewide):  Oct. 1st to Dec.31st    Antlerless
Firearms season (including muzzleloaders):  Nov. 15th to Dec. 15th   Antlerless
Antlered Deer season:  Nov. 1st to Nov. 30th with:
     Archery:  Nov.1st to Nov. 15th
     Firearms: Nov. 15th to Nov.30th