Below are the rule summaries for the Youth Deer Hunting Weekend, Free Youth Hunting Weekend, and 2008 Spring Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend.

There has been confusion between the Youth Deer Hunt and the Free Youth Hunt as to license requirements and so forth, so here's all the summaries together for comparison. If anyone has questions, post'em here...

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2007 Youth Deer Hunt Weekend

A youth deer hunting season will take place Sept. 29 and 30, 2007. Any youth age 15 years or younger on the date of the hunt, and accompanied by an adult of at least 18 years of age, can take one antlerless deer during this special youth deer season.

This deer is in addition to any deer taken during any other season. While the accompanying adult cannot take a deer when in the field with the youth hunter, both the youth and the adult must wear hunter orange.

The youth hunter must possess a valid youth hunting license, which includes the completion of a hunter education class, but the accompanying adult does not need to possess a hunting license while in the field with the youth hunter.

The youth hunter must comply with all deer hunting regulations including wearing hunter orange, tagging the deer and checking it in to a deer check station within 48 hours of the take. The youth hunter may use a legal shotgun, rifle, muzzleloader, bow and arrow, or crossbow to take the deer, but may possess only one type of equipment to take a deer while in the field. The accompanying adult cannot possess a firearm, muzzleloader, bow and arrow, or crossbow while in the field with the youth hunter.

JKD NOTE: (PCR rifles are legal for the 2007 Youth Deer Hunt per IDNR Director Carter. Pistols are not allowed during this hunt.)


2007 Free Youth Hunting Weekend

Two youth free hunting weekends will be offered this year, Sept. 1-2 and Nov. 24-25. Any resident age 15 years or younger on the date of the hunt, and accompanied by an adult of at least 18 years of age, can take any legal game in season during these youth free hunting weekends.

Young Hoosiers can hunt squirrel or migratory birds such as Canada goose, teal or mourning dove during the first weekend. Seasons open during the second weekend include deer, grouse, quail, rabbit, coyote, raccoon and pheasant.

The youth hunter does not have to possess a hunting license, HIP number or any stamp but must comply with all other hunting regulations.

An accompanying adult must be in close enough proximity in order to monitor and communicate with the youth hunter at all times and may assist the youth hunter, including calling, but may not carry a firearm or bow and arrow. The accompanying adult must possess a valid hunting license, unless exempted from needing a license.


2008 Spring Youth Turkey Hunt Weekend

A youth wild turkey season will take place on April 19 and 20, 2008. It will allow a youth turkey hunter, fifteen years old or younger to take a bearded or male wild turkey. The youth must be accompanied by an adult of at least eighteen years of age.

The youth hunter may use any legal shotgun, bow and arrow, or crossbow. The adult accompanying the youth hunter must not possess a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow while in the field, and does not need to possess a turkey hunting license. The youth hunter may take only one bearded or male wild turkey during the spring season, inclusive of the youth and regular spring turkey seasons. The youth must be properly licensed to take a wild turkey and comply with all tagging and check-in requirements.

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What ever happened to the talk of allowing youth to take their buck during the youth weekend? I've been way out of the loop for too long. In the new reg book, there is no mention of it. However, through the "grapevine" I heard it was still on the NRC agenda in July. I don't have a dog in this fight, just curious.

Jack could confirm otherwise, but I think you're right... it's being looked at, but nothing has been passed, AFAIK...

It is on the agenda for the Natural Resources Advisory Council meeting on July 14th for the all deer topics session. Should be a good one. IF it passes the Council then it goes to the full NRC for preliminary adoption. After public comment period it gets final approval. This process likely will not allow it to be in place this year.

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The Advisory Council will next meet on July 14, 2009, at 6:00 p.m., EDT ( 5:00 p.m., CDT) at The Garrison, Fort Harrison State Park, 6002 North Post Road, Indianapolis.

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Advisory Council Rule Suggestion Review: Hunting, Trapping, Taking
Mammals/Deer, Administrative Cause 09-088D
Includes these Sub-Categories:

Seasons/Muzzleloader
Seasons/Extend Archery
Seasons/Move Firearms Out of the Rut
Seasons/Doe Only Season
Seasons/Reduce Firearms Season
Non-Resident Licenses
Hunter Orange
Buck & Doe Tags
1 License for All Deer Seasons
Youth Season
Allowing Youth to Take Buck
Muzzleloader & Primitive Firearms
Increase Rifle Calibers
Carry & Load Time Regulations
Crossbow during Archery Season
Antler Restrictions
Ban on Spotlighting
Depredation
Over-Population/Under-Population
One Buck Rule
“Earn-A-Buck”
Buck Identification
2 Buck (1 Archery & 1 Firearm)
Other Suggestions
Miscellaneous License Suggestions

The public hearing on the addition of the antlered buck for the youth will take place next month at McComick's Creek State Park:

Fish & Wildlife Youth Deer Season (AC 09-019D/LSA 09-060)

When:

Aug 13, 2009
6:00 PM EDT

Where:

McCormicks Creek State Park, Canyon Inn, Oak Room, 451 McCormicks Creek Park Road, Spencer, Indiana

What:

This event is a public hearing to receive public comments regarding proposed amendments to 312 IAC 9-3-4 that would allow a youth to take either an antlered or antlerless deer during the special youth season. The proposed rule may be accessed at http://www.in.gov/nrc/2377.htm