Quote
Originally posted by fullrut:
NRC meeting agenda is posted online at: www.in.gov/nrc/2354.htm


See Agenda Item #10

www.in.gov/nrc/files/item_10_nrc_july_2013.pdf


EXHIBIT C

DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE RESPONSE

312 IAC 9-2-15, Hunter orange on ground blinds

With ground blinds becoming more common and inexpensive, the Divisions of Fish and Wildlife and
Law Enforcement believe that hunter orange requirements need to be added for occupied ground blinds
when a hunter is required to wear orange to hunt that species of wild animal. Without this, a hunter who is
required by state law to wear hunter orange can hide in a ground blind where the orange is no longer
visible, creating a safety issue. This only will apply from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to one-half
hour after sunset, which are the same hunting hours for deer.

312 IAC 9-3-3 and 9-3-4, Deer seasons

The Division of Fish and Wildlife is requesting that the proposed addition of the archery season from
September 15 through 30 without crossbows and the primitive muzzleloader season addition not be given
final adoption.

The archery season already runs from October 1 through the first Sunday in January. Adding an
additional fifteen (15) days simply without crossbows does the following:

- Creates confusion for hunters by having another restriction on equipment for these 15 days
- Makes it difficult to evaluate the deer rules that were just changed in 2011 and in effect for the
start of the 2012 deer season. The Division of Fish and Wildlife has plans to evaluate these rules
in 5 years, and this evaluation will not be accurate if additional seasons are added.
- Creates conflicts with small game hunters during these 15 days
- Partitions seasons even more, creating factions that could affect deer hunting in the future
- Does not help manage the deer herd; these additional days are not needed
- Creates the need for disabled hunters to have to obtain a special disability permit again to use a
crossbow. Disabled hunters will still be able to get a permit to use a crossbow during these fifteen
(15) days, creating an additional burden on Division of Fish and Wildlife staff.

The primitive muzzleloader season also creates confusion for deer hunters. Muzzleloaders can already be
used during the deer firearms season and muzzleloader season, and an additional season simply for certain
types of muzzleloaders is not necessary. It also creates confusion for deer hunters by having another
muzzleloader season that is more restrictive, creates conflicts with other hunters, and makes it difficult to
evaluate the deer rules that were in effect for the start of the 2012 deer season.

These two changes are not needed to manage the deer herd and are not supported by the majority of those
who commented on this rule package.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife is requesting final adoption to the proposed change in 312 IAC 9-3-
3(b)(5) that would allow the use of bows drawn, held, or released other than by hand or hand-held
releases during the archery season when crossbows are legal to use. This would allow the use of drawlocs
and other similar devices. With crossbows being legal during the regular archery season that starts on
October 1 as well as the urban deer season, there is no longer a need to prohibit the use of draw-locs and
other devices used on a bow that that help draw, hold, or release the bow during these seasons. Written
comments also supported this change.


Other DNR requests..

312 IAC 9-3-16, Cottontail rabbit season

While the season would no longer be open in October, the rabbit season is being extended in February by
two weeks. The change that starts the season on November 1 is needed because new research on DNR properties has shown that the rabbit breeding season runs from mid-February through September, with
some young born or in nests through mid-October. This change would also make the hunting dates on
public and private land concurrent. The starting date of November 1 would allow rabbit hunters an
additional weekend to hunt prior to the start of the deer firearms season, and would start the season after
the average first frost for 86 of 92 counties, curbing issues with parasites. The change in the starting date
of rabbit hunting to November 1 also aligns with the proposed opening of the ring-necked pheasant and
bobwhite quail seasons.

312 IAC 9-4-9, Bobwhite quail season, bag limit, and zones

By starting the south zone on November 1 and ending on January 10, the length of the south zone season
will consistently run 71 days. The earlier starting date of November 1 for both the north and south zones
would provide for a consistent statewide starting date and would also be proactive in reducing the
potential for additive mortality without reducing season length. The change in the north and south zones
fit both climate data and research/monitoring data more appropriately than the current boundary.
Furthermore, the starting date of November 1 would allow quail hunters an additional weekend to hunt
prior to the start of the deer firearms season, and would start the season after the average first frost for 86
of 92 counties.

312 IAC 9-7-6, Black bass

Scales Lake has been intensively managed and surveyed by the DNR since the early 1990’s. Numerous
Fish Management Reports have been written by the DNR’s District 6 Fisheries Biologist, with the most
recent ones being in 2006 and 2007. An angler creel survey was also conducted in 2001 which
determined angler preferences and catch. The vast majority of the anglers preferred fishing for bluegill
(60%) versus other species; hence, the fishery is being managed for the best bluegill and redear sunfish
fishing possible. To ensure good fishing for panfish, it is imperative to protect the largemouth bass
population to increase the number of predators in the lake. This would be done by switching the current
12 to 15 inch protective slot limit back to a 14 inch minimum length limit. An increase in predators will
also help control gizzard shad if they are illegally introduced as seen in other area lakes (Patoka Lake,
Lincoln Lake, Vann Park Pond). If gizzard shad are introduced and are able to take hold they would outcompete
bluegill to the point that it would ruin the bluegill fishery.
WoW....

Guardian Of The One Buck Rule & Gunseason
"Some people just need a good *** whoopin. It keeps the planets aligned"