anybody deer hunted a navigable river from a boat before?

My understanding is that it is legal to hunt on a navigable river as long as you are within the "high water lines".

You can get a list of navigable waterways here: http://www.in.gov/nrc/2390.htm

Navigable waterways, up to the high water mark are owned, or held in trust, by the state. However, that doesn't mean that hunting is permissible. Google "hunting Indiana navigable waters" and you should find some useful info. I'd say deer hunting is "iffy" at best. Now waterfowl....

I was under the assumption as soon as you stepped outside of the boat or canoe you were trespassing.

if you look at the plat maps, landowners don't own to the middle of navigable streams/rivers.

People wade to fish/canoe/etc down navigable streams...is this trespassing also?

That I do not know, but w deer hunting unless the deer after it is shot runs into the middle of the river, I would think with recovery of that animal one would be trespassing. I would be interested to know the answer to your original question as well, I've had no experience w it so honestly have no idea.

The high water mark is the issue for navigable streams/waterways. The hunting thing is interesting in that you can't legally go above the high water mark to retrieve game, from my understanding. But, if you shoot a duck and it lands in the water, your good, from what I've been told in the past by LE.

Bingo. And the definition of what is the "High Water Mark" seems to change or vary widely depending on who one talks to.

Don't See Many Deer In The River...What Would Be The Difference In Shooting Across Property Lines?

You can go on land up to the 100 year flood mark. Without trespassing. Now that being said I would say you will run into a lot of people that wouldn't be happy with you. So i guess if you got giant "things" then go ahead.

Local CO here told me the high water mark is where the vegetation starts.

How do people get trespassing tickets fishing then? In navagitible waterways?

you know of people getting a ticket for fishing in a navigable river?

I have never heard of one around here.

What if we're talking navigable waterways on public land? Ok to shoot a gun from a boat to take a deer if not powered by a motor?

Sugar Creek Johnson County buddy of mine got one for fishing. But we deal w canoers on our sandbars on sugar creek in parke co, and can't do crap. Just doesn't make sense.

Now u have my attention. Always obeyed the non motor but not aware of high level mark. Understand for several reasons but haven't read it in book. Thought I was up to date. Guess not. Although Turkey is my usual with this tactic.

I don't know where this idea came from, but I do know it is not correct. Go to the Fema website and find a firm map for the area around any given river and you will see the shaded areas that are Zone A (commonly known as the 100 year flood hazard zone). These flood hazard zones usually encompass most of the woods and fields along a river, often stretching for miles and it is not too unusual to see houses in the flood hazard zones as well. Also many counties have GIS sites where you can click on a layer to shade and expose the flood hazard zones, but I am positive that there is no law that makes these flood hazaed zones open to the public. I believe the arguement could be made and won that when a navigable waterway is low enough to expose sand bars you could legally dock your boat and hunt these sand bars, but as 10point pointed out, once you leave the water far enough to enter upon the areas covered by normal vegitation you are on property owned and controlled by private individuals, not the State.

There probably won't be a happy outcome if you float by me tomorrow morning and come ashore.

Here is a better question

You purchased land adjoining a river and are in a tree 30 yards inland on your personal property. How would you feel if someone in a canoe or any other boat were to shoot a deer on your land then proceed to get out and make chase onto your land?

Golden rule goes a long way. This whole argument seems like people looking for a loophole to trespass. To this end I personally would not purchase land along a navigable river if the intended use were hunting and recreation.

I can say having just looked at a riverside residential property that the plat map and survey showed ownership to center of river. I was also told by a CO that if you hunt via boat flooded timber post heavy rain you are legal UNTIL you step one foot out of the boat and onto the ground. At that point you are a trespasser.

Just because something is potentially legal does not make it right. In this case it's not legal anyway.

Thought you couldn't shoot across a body of water for deer hunting?

And yes I'm aware those 2 sugar creeks are diff creeks, but both are listed as navigable.

You can shoot across water to legally shoot at game.

Noted. I will just keep on floating. You might hear the banjo music as we go by.

Not looking to trespass in any way shape or form, just exercise my rights

It`s illegal to shoot across a body of water in Indiana.

Unless in the persuit of game.

Perhaps a re-reading of the Hunting and Trapping guide is in order.

Shooting Across
Roads or Waters
It is illegal to hunt, shoot at or kill any animal
or to shoot at any object from within, into, upon
or across any public road. It is illegal to shoot across a body of water, except in the lawful pursuit of wildlife

I know a guy that floats creeks that run through public properties. He also floats around public lakes says you wouldn't believe the deer that walk the lake shores in november when no one is on the lake

From the hunting guide:

Hunting from a Vehicle or Boat

Mammals and birds may not be taken or chased from, by the use of, or with the aid of any motor-driven conveyance (including boats), except:

1. By an individual authorized to hunt from a stationary vehicle with a Persons with Disabilities Hunting Permit.
2. To check traps that are lawfully set and maintained.
3. To hunt waterfowl from a motorboat if the boat is beached, resting at anchor, tied to a stationary object, or otherwise without motion except as provided by wind, water current or hand-operated oars or paddles.

Even if you could, you would have to shoot it in the river or below the high water mark and hoped it dropped before it crossed the high water mark. Otherwise your at the property owner's mercy to grant permission to retrieve it.

not a problem for a 12 ga shooting slugs such as lightfields or brennekes. I have shot a few deer with each of these and none of them took another step.

The other option is to float a canoe through public land where you could go ashore if needed or if you shot one up on the bank (above the high water line).

I am done for this year and focusing on killing coons now, but I might just be mounting a gun rack on a big yellow and green canoe (Delaney knows the one) this off season.... =)