Important corrections to Indiana Hunting & Trapping Guide

Indiana deer and waterfowl hunters need to be aware of two important changes in the print version of the 2017-2018 Hunting & Trapping Guide.

Due to recent legislation passed this year by the Indiana General Assembly, hunters can no longer use rifles when hunting deer on public land. “Public land” includes both state and federal property. Before the change, the use of rifles on public land had been legal.

It remains legal to use a muzzleloader, shotgun or handgun when hunting deer on public land in accordance with deer hunting regulations.

The waterfowl correction is that the daily bag limit for black ducks is two. The printed Hunting and Trapping Guide mistakenly states the bag limit as one.

The online Indiana Hunting & Trapping Guide has been updated with these corrections. You can view the updated guide at wildlife.IN.gov/2343.htm

For more information on rifle requirements for deer hunting on private land, visit wildlife.IN.gov/7389.htm and click on “Equipment.”

For up to date information on waterfowl seasons, visit: wildlife.IN.gov/3569.htm
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Hunting Guide has been updated.

Does this also mean no PCR at state park hunt? I assume it means they are not allowed.

Not on PUBLIC lands... the parks are Public lands ...

So an AR pistol with sig pistol brace and scope in say 6.8spc or 7.62x39 would be public land legal...? Even if you cheek weld it..

Correct

Good stuff. From .40 Short&Week to, uh well skies the limit with a Pistol on public lands. .243 and larger but no max case length!!! Guess I need to research BIG hand cannons if I can't hunt with my trusty PCR. .88 magnum here I come.....

Is there a capacity limit for handguns? Looks like unlimited capacity for handguns, compared to 10 rounds for rifles. I checked and the biggest hand cannon I could find was a 50 BMG w muzzlebrake. Said you need to wear double hearing protection. But it is a legal IN public land piece from what i can tell. It would REALLY rock the holler.

I get the safety aspect behind this but now we are back to the same old argument where a cartridge is legal in one firearm, but not in another, which makes no sense.

Restrict the cartridge, not the firearm, which makes more sense because doing it the other makes the rule, and the people making the rules, look dumb.

This had nothing to do with "SAFETY"...it was a accident/mistake in the Bill writing!

Based on what I've been reading on various sites and facebook pages there are hunters who apparently thought that hprs were legal on public ground in the past (which they weren't) and don't get that this is a pcr not hpr issue for the upcoming hunting season.

Like heck it didn't. Why else would they restrict certain firearms on public grounds then? For public safety! Just because they didn't write it in the bill doesn't mean someone can't figure out the intent of the rule.

Go read the many of NEWS releases on this subject!
Next year it most likey changes back...

PCRs have been legal on public land for years and I hope they restore them as legal deer guns next year if not earlier. It would likely require a special legislative session and since it just impacts public land hunters, a small fraction of overall deer hunters, it's probably not going to happen. If it was reversed and all rifles were suddenly and inadvertently illegal on private, do you think they would try to fix it before season?

I saw where Representative Houchin sent a letter to the Governor asking for him to take action or have a special session to restore PCRs on public land THIS SEASON. She represents far southern IN where state and federal public land is plentiful and is appreciated by the people. I have a copy of the letter but troublesome to post here. Don't give up on this, it could still happen.