Deer hunting news
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-Proposal to allow rifles with pistol cartridges approved by NRC -One buck rule extension also approved by NRC
An administrative rule proposal allowing the use of rifles with pistol cartridges was approved by the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) at its May 22 meeting.
Pending approval of the attorney general and governor, the change will become law later this year. Under the proposal, rifles with pistol cartridges that meet the specifications listed below would be allowed during this year's deer firearms season, which takes place Nov. 17 through Dec. 2.
The deer hunting rule change language continues the DNR's longtime position of allowing only short-to-medium range equipment for taking deer. The DNR has often received requests from the public for a rule change allowing some rifles during deer firearm season.
The rifle must fire a cartridge that meets the following specifications
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a) fire a bullet of .357 diameter or larger;
b) have a minimum case length of 1.16 inches; and
c) have a maximum case length of 1.625 inches.
Some of the cartridges that will be legal under the proposal
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.357 Magnum
.38-40 Winchester
.41 Magnum
.41 Special
.44 Magnum
.44 Special
.44-.40 Winchester
.45 Colt
.454 Casull
.480 Ruger
.475 Linebaugh
.50 Action Express
.500 S&W
A proposal to extend the one-buck rule for another five years was also approved by the NRC at the May 22 meeting. The one-buck rule refers to current deer-hunting regulations that allow only one antlered deer to be taken per hunter per year with regular archery, firearm and muzzleloader licenses.
The current rule implemented in the fall of 2002 will not expire until Sept. 1, 2012 if the change is approved by the attorney general and governor's office. Before 2002, up to two bucks could be taken by a hunter each year.
These administrative rule proposals, as well as several others, can be viewed at
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/about/rules.html The DNR held public hearings to receive comments on the proposals in March. Written comments were also accepted.
Copies of the public hearing reports are at:
http://www.IN.gov/nrc/minutes/current_agenda/ The results of the 2006 one-buck rule survey of Indiana deer hunters can be found at:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/hunt/ 2007 Deer Firearms Season:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/hunt/firearm.htm
