RIFLES WITH PISTOL CARTRIDGES

The rule to allow the use of rifles with pistol cartridges will become law on July 29. It was approved by the Attorney General's Office and Governor's Office in June after being approved by the Natural Resources Commission in May. The final rule (see attached) is also now published in the Indiana Register at: http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/20070725-IR-312060272FRA.xml.pdf

The rifles with pistol cartridges that meet the specifications listed below will be allowed during this year’s deer firearms season which takes place from November 17 through December 2.

The rifle must fire a cartridge that meets the following specifications:

(A) fire a bullet of three hundred fifty-seven thousandths of an inch (.357) diameter or larger;
(B) have a minimum case length of one and sixteen hundredths (1.16) inches; and
(C) have a maximum case length of one and six hundred twenty-five thousandths (1.625) inches.

There are no restrictions on the type of action or number of cartridges that can be loaded at a time. There is also no requirement that the rifle be unloaded outside lawful shooting hours.

These rifles with pistol cartridges can be used during the deer firearms season as well as at state parks during the special deer reduction hunts. They can also now be used by a youth hunter during the special youth deer season on September 29 and 30, 2007 as the result of an emergency rule signed by Director Carter (see attached).

While rifles with these pistol cartridges can be used on state properties, including reservoirs owned by the Corps of Engineers (while deer hunting), rifles cannot be used while deer hunting on the following federal properties: Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Crane Naval Support Center, Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge and Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge.

Some cartridges that will be legal include the following:

.357 Magnum
.38-40 Winchester
.41 Magnum
.41 Special
.44 Magnum
.44 Special
.44-.40 Winchester
.45 Colt
.454 Casull
.458 SOCOM
.480 Ruger
.475 Linebaugh
.50 Action Express
.500 S&W

ONE BUCK RULE EXTENSION ALSO APPROVED

The rule to extend the one buck rule for another five years will become law on August 9. It was approved by the Attorney General's Office and Governor's Office in July after being approved by the Natural Resources Commission in May. It is expected to be published in the Indiana Register next week and can be viewed on our website at www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/about/rules.html.