11-12-2007, 10:10 PM
With the opening of the deer firearms season creeping up Nov. 17, DNR deer management biologist Jim Mitchell said hunters can expect deer to be abundant over the state as a whole, despite the dry weather.
"With the recent rains, the effect of the drought (on deer hunting) should be negligible for much of the state," he said.
Mitchell said that the drought's effects may be different from what some observers might expect. Rather than a lack of food for deer, the main side effect from the drought is likely to be the increased reproduction rate of midges. The bite of these insects spreads EHD (Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease), a deer disease that he said will not have much of an effect on the number of deer seen and harvested in the state as a whole, but could reduce numbers significantly for the southern quarter or third of the state.
Last year's EHD outbreak reduced the herd by 20 to 30 percent in some counties in west-central Indiana. Mitchell said the herd reduction will continue this fall but will be moderated somewhat by this summer's fawn crop.
The silver lining for hunters is that the 2006 EHD outbreak seems to have protected the west-central counties from this year's outbreak.
"We had extremely few reports this year from the area of last year's outbreak," Mitchell said. "The herd will recover in a short time from both outbreaks.
"Both last year and this year, individual properties may be hit hard and may take several years to recover but counties (as a whole) will recover rapidly. They were not hit as hard as some properties."
Mitchell said the second effect of the drought, though expected to be much smaller than that from EHD, may be an earlier than average crop harvest. This factor might make the deer more visible and vulnerable, he said, but this effect should be small because most crops are harvested every year by the start of deer firearm season.
"If more crops are harvested, that should slightly increase deer harvest and somewhat offset the EHD issue," Mitchell said. "Since last year's crop harvest was later than normal, the effect of crop harvest versus last year may be significant in some areas."
Indiana Deer Harvest Trends
Deer hunters harvested 125,381 Indiana deer during the '06 season, slightly fewer than the 125,526 deer harvested during the '05 season.
DNR deer research biologist Chad Stewart has observed a few trends emerging from the last several season's deer harvest statistics.
Stewart predicted Indiana's overall deer harvest numbers will remain steady; however, Indiana's '06 antlered deer harvest dropped 6.5 percent to 49,094 deer from '05, while the antlerless harvest of 76,287 deer increased 4 percent from '05.
"The continued success of the bonus antlerless tags is probably most responsible for the high antlerless harvests we have been seeing the past couple of years," Stewart said. "Hunters are helping us minimize problems in local areas experiencing crop depredation or vehicle accident problems.
"Over time, liberal use of antlerless tags in these areas should reduce targeted local populations."
Stewart also noted that in recent seasons, the number of deer killed by bow and muzzleloader hunters has increased, while shotgun hunters killed fewer deer.
The combined '06 archery seasons yielded 27,418 deer, an increase of 13 percent from the 24,210 deer harvested by bow in '05. Hunters using muzzleloader rifles killed more than 30,000 deer last year, about 12,500 more than in '01.
The firearms season harvest of 80,661 deer was 5 percent less than the 84,664 deer harvested in '05; however, firearms hunters still took the majority of the total harvest at 64 percent.
"Last season was the second year when bonus antlerless tags could be used in the early archery season, so it was no longer a new rule, and any hunters who were uncertain or unaware of the rule change in '05 would have become more familiar with it in '06, further increasing the number of deer harvested in archery season," Stewart said. "The bonus antlerless tags probably affected the firearms season's harvest a little, since hunters who had already filled their freezer in archery season didn't need to go out during the firearms season to harvest a deer.
"Muzzle-loaded firearm improvements probably have contributed to the increased deer harvest during muzzleloader season."
The number of deer harvested in individual counties ranged from a low of 82 deer in Tipton County to 3,287 deer killed in Steuben County. Harvest exceeded 1,000 deer in 62 counties; 2,000 deer in 18 counties; and 3,000 deer in two counties.
More deer harvest research information: www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/hunt/deer/deerinfo.htm>http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/hunt/deer/deerinfo.htm
Did you know?
-Since 1951, Indiana's wild deer herd has supplied Hoosier kitchens with more than 138 million pounds of venison.
- More than 44 percent of the Indiana deer firearms season harvest is during the opening weekend.
Indiana's Top 10 Deer Counties
Top 10 Indiana counties for total harvest 2002-06
"Indiana counties with varied quality deer habitat and food consistently produce the most deer," Stewart said.
1-Steuben
2-Switzerland<br />
3-Parke<br />
4-Franklin<br />
5-Dearborn<br />
6-Washington<br />
7-Noble<br />
8-Kosciusko<br />
9-LaGrange<br />
10-Harrison
Last 10 counties for total harvest 2002-06
92-Tipton<br />
91-Benton<br />
90-Marion<br />
89-Hancock<br />
88-Rush<br />
87-Clinton<br />
86-Boone<br />
85-Shelby<br />
84-Blackford<br />
83-Hamilton
Licenses Sold
Various types of deer licenses are available so making comparisons is a challenge.
DNR wildlife information specialist Kevin Hoffman said that overall, the numbers for the last three years are similar, with 2005 and '07 sales generally about the same, and 2006's generally the highest. He used Nov. 1 as a cutoff date for all categories for consistency of comparison.
Fewer resident deer firearm licenses were sold this year than in the past two years. This year's figure was 9,728. Last year's was 10,978. In 2005, the number was 11,782. The reason, Hoffman said, may be modern technology and the convenience that goes with it.
"Firearm (license) sales may look as though they are declining because people are waiting longer to actually buy their license, Hoffman said. "We've made it easier than ever to buy your license quickly online, so I think more people are waiting until the last minute to buy theirs."
Hoffman also theorized that the one-buck rule makes people who both archery hunt and gun hunt wait to buy their gun license, because if they shoot a buck with their bow, then they don't need to buy their firearm license.
Of course, when comparing licenses, a lot depends on the kind of licenses you are comparing. The number of resident deer muzzleloader licenses sold in the same time period was at a three-year high this year, 1,271, compared with 1,243 sold in 2006, and 1,033 sold in 2005.
Resident deer archery licenses sold this year stood at 40,652, down from 43,106 last year, but more than the 40,103 figure from 2005.
Resident deer bonus anterless license sales this year stood at 8,199, down from last year's 10,013, but better than 2005's figure of 7,656.
For the same period, resident deer extra archery licenses were at a three-year high of 3,859, compared with 3,764 last year and 3,411 the year before.
In terms of non-resident sales, deer firearm license sales were 518 this year, compared with 662 last year, and 853 the year before.
Non-resident deer muzzleloader numbers showed 39 in 2005, 28 in 2006, and 33 this year. Non-resident deer archery licenses sold as of Nov. 1 this year was 1,749, compared with 1,840 in 2006, and 1,554 in 2005.<br />
Non-resident deer extra archery licenses are trending upward. A three-year high of 83 was registered this year, compared with 33 sold last year and 48 sold the previous year.
A total of 210 nonresident bonus anterless deer licenses were sold this year by Nov. 1, compared with 436 by Nov. 1 of last year, and with 115 by Nov. 1, 2005.
Questions and Answers on Deer Hunting Regulations
1) What kind of license do I need to hunt deer with a firearm? How much does it cost?
Generally, a deer license is required for each deer taken. Specific exemptions can be found on pages 2 and 3 of the 2007-08 Hunting and Trapping Guide (also available at www.in.gov/dnr/). The kind of license needed depends on which portion of the season in which you choose to hunt and the equipment you use. You must have a firearms license or bonus antlerless license to hunt with a handgun, shotgun, rifle or muzzleloader during the firearms season. A firearms license is not valid during the muzzleloader season. You must have a muzzleloader license or a bonus antlerless license to hunt with a muzzleloader during the muzzleloader season. Resident deer licenses cost $24.
2) How does the bonus antlerless permit system work?
The bonus antlerless permit system allows hunters to kill additional deer in some counties. A map on page 17 of the 2007-08 Hunting and Trapping guide (also available at www.in.gov/dnr/) indicates the county quota for bonus antler less deer. If you are hunting in a county that has a county quota of one or more, you may use bonus antlerless deer licenses starting in the early archery season and continuing throughout the firearm, muzzleloader, and late archery season, using the equipment that is legal during the season in which you are hunting. You may take one bonus antlerless deer per bonus antlerless license. These licenses may be used in any county, but, of course, you may not take more than the county quota for bonus antlerless deer in any specific county. All current bonus antlerless licenses have been valid for hunting since Oct. 1.
3) What types of weapons can be used during the firearms deer season?
Shotguns, handguns, rifles with certain cartridges, muzzleloading long guns and muzzleloading handguns are legal during the firearms season. Muzzleloading firearms are legal during the muzzleloader season and firearms season, but non-muzzleloading firearms are not legal during the muzzleloading season.
Hunters may carry more than one type of legal firearm when hunting during the fire arms season only. Shotguns must be 10-, 12-, 16- or 20-gauge or .410 bore loaded with slugs or saboted bullets. Rifled slug barrels are permitted. Combination rifle-shotguns are not allowed.
Muzzleloading firearms must be .44 cali ber or larger loaded with a single bullet of at least .357 caliber. Saboted bullets are allowed, provided that the bullet is .357 caliber or larger. A muzzleloading firearm must be loaded from the muzzle. Multiple-barrel muzzleloading long guns are allowed.
New this year is the option for hunters to use rifles chambered for specific cartridges. Rifles with pistol cartridges that fire a bullet of .357-inch diameter or larger; have a minimum case length of 1.16 inches; and have a maximum case length of 1.625 inches are legal to use only during the deer firearms season. Some cartridges legal for deer hunting include the 357 Magnum, 38-40 Winchester, 41 Magnum, 41 Special, 44 Magnum, 44 Special, 44-40 Winchester, 45 Colt, 454 Casull, 475 Linebaugh, 480 Ruger, 50 Action Express, and 500 S&W.
Handguns, other than muzzleloading, must have a barrel at least 4 inches long and must fire a bullet of .243-inch diam eter or larger. The handgun cartridge case, without the bullet, must be at least 1.16 inches long. Full metal-jacketed bullets are not permitted. Handguns are not permitted on any military areas. Some types of hand gun cartridges legal for deer hunting include 357 Magnum, 41 Magnum, 44 Magnum, 44 Special, 45 Colt, 45 Long Colt, 45 Winche-ster Magnum, 35 Remington and 357 Herrett.
Some illegal handgun cartridges for deer hunting are 38 Special, 38 Smith and Wesson, 38 Colt New Police, 38/200, 38 Long Colt, 38 Super, 38 ACP, 38 Colt Auto, 45 ACP, 45 Automatic and 45 Auto Rim. All 25/20, 32/20 and 30 carbine ammunition is prohibited also.
Muzzleloading handguns are allowed. The muzzleloading handgun must be single shot, .50 caliber or larger, loaded with bullets at least .44 caliber and have a barrel at least 12 inches long, measured from the base of the breech plug excluding tangs and other projec tions to the end of the barrel including the muzzle crown.
It is legal to carry a handgun while hunting deer during the archery, firearm and muzzleÂloader seasons, as long as the handgun is possessed under a personal protection permit. It is not legal to take a deer with a handgun, except during the firearms and muzzleloader seasons and in compliance with DNR regulations.
4) When is deer firearms season and what are legal hunting hours?
Deer firearms season runs from Nov. 17 to Dec. 2. Legal hunting hours for all deer seasons are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
5) Where can I sight-in my firearm before the season?
There are numerous shooting ranges around the state that can be used for preparing your firearm for deer season. Page 53 of the 2007-08 Hunting and Trapping Guide (also available at www.in.gov/dnr/) provides a list of DNR shooting ranges that are open to the public.<br />
6) Do I have to wear hunter orange?
You must meet fluorescent orange requireÂments while hunting for deer during firearms and muzzleloader seasons (Nov. 17 - Dec. 2 and Dec. 8 - Dec. 23). If you are using archery equipment, you must meet fluoÂrescent orange requirements while hunting during firearms and muzzleloader seasons. Florescent orange must also be worn during youth deer hunting season (Sept. 29 and 30). Page 5 of the 2007-08 Hunting and Trapping Guide (also available at www.in.gov/dnr/) provides more details on fluorescent orange requirements.
7) My buddy has a license but can't hunt on opening day. Can I use his license to shoot a deer for him or her?
No, this is referred to as party hunting and is illegal. A party hunting arrangement is when a hunter not only shoots to fill his/her license but shoots additional deer to fill the licenses of other hunting party members.
8) I see a lot of products for sale at sporting goods stores such Deer Can and, Stump Likker. Is it OK to use these for hunting deer?
No, these products are considered bait; it is illegal to use bait to take deer. Bait is considered any product that is transÂported into a hunting area and placed there for animal consumption.
Baits can be in the form of salt, mineral blocks, prepared solid or liquid that is intended for the animal to eat, including the products mentioned above and others like them. An area is considered to have been baited for 10 days after the removal of the bait and any affected soil.
9) If food products like that are illegal, what about cover scents that smell like acorns or apples?
Using a product to mask your own scent, including products designed to eliminate scent, is legal.
10) If I've killed a deer, do I have to tell anyone?
Yes. Immediately upon killing a deer, you must complete a tag on paper that states the hunt er's name, address, sex of the deer and the day and month of the kill. You are not required to place the tag on the deer while dragging it out of the field as long as you have filled in the required information and carry that information with you, though you must maintain immediate custody of and visual contact with the deer carcass during this time.
The tag must be attached to the deer before you leave the deer or load the deer in a vehicle.<br />
The person who takes the deer must cause the delivery of the deer to an official deer check station within 48 hours of the kill for registration.
For a complete listing of check stations, see pages 42 to 52 of 2007-2008 Hunting and Trapping Guide (also available at www.in.gov/dnr/) or go to www.wildlife.IN.gov. Before leaving the check station, you must affix the permanent seal to the carcass. The permanent seal must remain attached, until the carcass is placed in the custody of another person for processing or until the carcass has been processed and packaged. The deer head must remain attached to the carcass until the tag is attached and locked at the deer check station.
"With the recent rains, the effect of the drought (on deer hunting) should be negligible for much of the state," he said.
Mitchell said that the drought's effects may be different from what some observers might expect. Rather than a lack of food for deer, the main side effect from the drought is likely to be the increased reproduction rate of midges. The bite of these insects spreads EHD (Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease), a deer disease that he said will not have much of an effect on the number of deer seen and harvested in the state as a whole, but could reduce numbers significantly for the southern quarter or third of the state.
Last year's EHD outbreak reduced the herd by 20 to 30 percent in some counties in west-central Indiana. Mitchell said the herd reduction will continue this fall but will be moderated somewhat by this summer's fawn crop.
The silver lining for hunters is that the 2006 EHD outbreak seems to have protected the west-central counties from this year's outbreak.
"We had extremely few reports this year from the area of last year's outbreak," Mitchell said. "The herd will recover in a short time from both outbreaks.
"Both last year and this year, individual properties may be hit hard and may take several years to recover but counties (as a whole) will recover rapidly. They were not hit as hard as some properties."
Mitchell said the second effect of the drought, though expected to be much smaller than that from EHD, may be an earlier than average crop harvest. This factor might make the deer more visible and vulnerable, he said, but this effect should be small because most crops are harvested every year by the start of deer firearm season.
"If more crops are harvested, that should slightly increase deer harvest and somewhat offset the EHD issue," Mitchell said. "Since last year's crop harvest was later than normal, the effect of crop harvest versus last year may be significant in some areas."
Indiana Deer Harvest Trends
Deer hunters harvested 125,381 Indiana deer during the '06 season, slightly fewer than the 125,526 deer harvested during the '05 season.
DNR deer research biologist Chad Stewart has observed a few trends emerging from the last several season's deer harvest statistics.
Stewart predicted Indiana's overall deer harvest numbers will remain steady; however, Indiana's '06 antlered deer harvest dropped 6.5 percent to 49,094 deer from '05, while the antlerless harvest of 76,287 deer increased 4 percent from '05.
"The continued success of the bonus antlerless tags is probably most responsible for the high antlerless harvests we have been seeing the past couple of years," Stewart said. "Hunters are helping us minimize problems in local areas experiencing crop depredation or vehicle accident problems.
"Over time, liberal use of antlerless tags in these areas should reduce targeted local populations."
Stewart also noted that in recent seasons, the number of deer killed by bow and muzzleloader hunters has increased, while shotgun hunters killed fewer deer.
The combined '06 archery seasons yielded 27,418 deer, an increase of 13 percent from the 24,210 deer harvested by bow in '05. Hunters using muzzleloader rifles killed more than 30,000 deer last year, about 12,500 more than in '01.
The firearms season harvest of 80,661 deer was 5 percent less than the 84,664 deer harvested in '05; however, firearms hunters still took the majority of the total harvest at 64 percent.
"Last season was the second year when bonus antlerless tags could be used in the early archery season, so it was no longer a new rule, and any hunters who were uncertain or unaware of the rule change in '05 would have become more familiar with it in '06, further increasing the number of deer harvested in archery season," Stewart said. "The bonus antlerless tags probably affected the firearms season's harvest a little, since hunters who had already filled their freezer in archery season didn't need to go out during the firearms season to harvest a deer.
"Muzzle-loaded firearm improvements probably have contributed to the increased deer harvest during muzzleloader season."
The number of deer harvested in individual counties ranged from a low of 82 deer in Tipton County to 3,287 deer killed in Steuben County. Harvest exceeded 1,000 deer in 62 counties; 2,000 deer in 18 counties; and 3,000 deer in two counties.
More deer harvest research information: www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/hunt/deer/deerinfo.htm>http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/hunt/deer/deerinfo.htm
Did you know?
-Since 1951, Indiana's wild deer herd has supplied Hoosier kitchens with more than 138 million pounds of venison.
- More than 44 percent of the Indiana deer firearms season harvest is during the opening weekend.
Indiana's Top 10 Deer Counties
Top 10 Indiana counties for total harvest 2002-06
"Indiana counties with varied quality deer habitat and food consistently produce the most deer," Stewart said.
1-Steuben
2-Switzerland<br />
3-Parke<br />
4-Franklin<br />
5-Dearborn<br />
6-Washington<br />
7-Noble<br />
8-Kosciusko<br />
9-LaGrange<br />
10-Harrison
Last 10 counties for total harvest 2002-06
92-Tipton<br />
91-Benton<br />
90-Marion<br />
89-Hancock<br />
88-Rush<br />
87-Clinton<br />
86-Boone<br />
85-Shelby<br />
84-Blackford<br />
83-Hamilton
Licenses Sold
Various types of deer licenses are available so making comparisons is a challenge.
DNR wildlife information specialist Kevin Hoffman said that overall, the numbers for the last three years are similar, with 2005 and '07 sales generally about the same, and 2006's generally the highest. He used Nov. 1 as a cutoff date for all categories for consistency of comparison.
Fewer resident deer firearm licenses were sold this year than in the past two years. This year's figure was 9,728. Last year's was 10,978. In 2005, the number was 11,782. The reason, Hoffman said, may be modern technology and the convenience that goes with it.
"Firearm (license) sales may look as though they are declining because people are waiting longer to actually buy their license, Hoffman said. "We've made it easier than ever to buy your license quickly online, so I think more people are waiting until the last minute to buy theirs."
Hoffman also theorized that the one-buck rule makes people who both archery hunt and gun hunt wait to buy their gun license, because if they shoot a buck with their bow, then they don't need to buy their firearm license.
Of course, when comparing licenses, a lot depends on the kind of licenses you are comparing. The number of resident deer muzzleloader licenses sold in the same time period was at a three-year high this year, 1,271, compared with 1,243 sold in 2006, and 1,033 sold in 2005.
Resident deer archery licenses sold this year stood at 40,652, down from 43,106 last year, but more than the 40,103 figure from 2005.
Resident deer bonus anterless license sales this year stood at 8,199, down from last year's 10,013, but better than 2005's figure of 7,656.
For the same period, resident deer extra archery licenses were at a three-year high of 3,859, compared with 3,764 last year and 3,411 the year before.
In terms of non-resident sales, deer firearm license sales were 518 this year, compared with 662 last year, and 853 the year before.
Non-resident deer muzzleloader numbers showed 39 in 2005, 28 in 2006, and 33 this year. Non-resident deer archery licenses sold as of Nov. 1 this year was 1,749, compared with 1,840 in 2006, and 1,554 in 2005.<br />
Non-resident deer extra archery licenses are trending upward. A three-year high of 83 was registered this year, compared with 33 sold last year and 48 sold the previous year.
A total of 210 nonresident bonus anterless deer licenses were sold this year by Nov. 1, compared with 436 by Nov. 1 of last year, and with 115 by Nov. 1, 2005.
Questions and Answers on Deer Hunting Regulations
1) What kind of license do I need to hunt deer with a firearm? How much does it cost?
Generally, a deer license is required for each deer taken. Specific exemptions can be found on pages 2 and 3 of the 2007-08 Hunting and Trapping Guide (also available at www.in.gov/dnr/). The kind of license needed depends on which portion of the season in which you choose to hunt and the equipment you use. You must have a firearms license or bonus antlerless license to hunt with a handgun, shotgun, rifle or muzzleloader during the firearms season. A firearms license is not valid during the muzzleloader season. You must have a muzzleloader license or a bonus antlerless license to hunt with a muzzleloader during the muzzleloader season. Resident deer licenses cost $24.
2) How does the bonus antlerless permit system work?
The bonus antlerless permit system allows hunters to kill additional deer in some counties. A map on page 17 of the 2007-08 Hunting and Trapping guide (also available at www.in.gov/dnr/) indicates the county quota for bonus antler less deer. If you are hunting in a county that has a county quota of one or more, you may use bonus antlerless deer licenses starting in the early archery season and continuing throughout the firearm, muzzleloader, and late archery season, using the equipment that is legal during the season in which you are hunting. You may take one bonus antlerless deer per bonus antlerless license. These licenses may be used in any county, but, of course, you may not take more than the county quota for bonus antlerless deer in any specific county. All current bonus antlerless licenses have been valid for hunting since Oct. 1.
3) What types of weapons can be used during the firearms deer season?
Shotguns, handguns, rifles with certain cartridges, muzzleloading long guns and muzzleloading handguns are legal during the firearms season. Muzzleloading firearms are legal during the muzzleloader season and firearms season, but non-muzzleloading firearms are not legal during the muzzleloading season.
Hunters may carry more than one type of legal firearm when hunting during the fire arms season only. Shotguns must be 10-, 12-, 16- or 20-gauge or .410 bore loaded with slugs or saboted bullets. Rifled slug barrels are permitted. Combination rifle-shotguns are not allowed.
Muzzleloading firearms must be .44 cali ber or larger loaded with a single bullet of at least .357 caliber. Saboted bullets are allowed, provided that the bullet is .357 caliber or larger. A muzzleloading firearm must be loaded from the muzzle. Multiple-barrel muzzleloading long guns are allowed.
New this year is the option for hunters to use rifles chambered for specific cartridges. Rifles with pistol cartridges that fire a bullet of .357-inch diameter or larger; have a minimum case length of 1.16 inches; and have a maximum case length of 1.625 inches are legal to use only during the deer firearms season. Some cartridges legal for deer hunting include the 357 Magnum, 38-40 Winchester, 41 Magnum, 41 Special, 44 Magnum, 44 Special, 44-40 Winchester, 45 Colt, 454 Casull, 475 Linebaugh, 480 Ruger, 50 Action Express, and 500 S&W.
Handguns, other than muzzleloading, must have a barrel at least 4 inches long and must fire a bullet of .243-inch diam eter or larger. The handgun cartridge case, without the bullet, must be at least 1.16 inches long. Full metal-jacketed bullets are not permitted. Handguns are not permitted on any military areas. Some types of hand gun cartridges legal for deer hunting include 357 Magnum, 41 Magnum, 44 Magnum, 44 Special, 45 Colt, 45 Long Colt, 45 Winche-ster Magnum, 35 Remington and 357 Herrett.
Some illegal handgun cartridges for deer hunting are 38 Special, 38 Smith and Wesson, 38 Colt New Police, 38/200, 38 Long Colt, 38 Super, 38 ACP, 38 Colt Auto, 45 ACP, 45 Automatic and 45 Auto Rim. All 25/20, 32/20 and 30 carbine ammunition is prohibited also.
Muzzleloading handguns are allowed. The muzzleloading handgun must be single shot, .50 caliber or larger, loaded with bullets at least .44 caliber and have a barrel at least 12 inches long, measured from the base of the breech plug excluding tangs and other projec tions to the end of the barrel including the muzzle crown.
It is legal to carry a handgun while hunting deer during the archery, firearm and muzzleÂloader seasons, as long as the handgun is possessed under a personal protection permit. It is not legal to take a deer with a handgun, except during the firearms and muzzleloader seasons and in compliance with DNR regulations.
4) When is deer firearms season and what are legal hunting hours?
Deer firearms season runs from Nov. 17 to Dec. 2. Legal hunting hours for all deer seasons are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
5) Where can I sight-in my firearm before the season?
There are numerous shooting ranges around the state that can be used for preparing your firearm for deer season. Page 53 of the 2007-08 Hunting and Trapping Guide (also available at www.in.gov/dnr/) provides a list of DNR shooting ranges that are open to the public.<br />
6) Do I have to wear hunter orange?
You must meet fluorescent orange requireÂments while hunting for deer during firearms and muzzleloader seasons (Nov. 17 - Dec. 2 and Dec. 8 - Dec. 23). If you are using archery equipment, you must meet fluoÂrescent orange requirements while hunting during firearms and muzzleloader seasons. Florescent orange must also be worn during youth deer hunting season (Sept. 29 and 30). Page 5 of the 2007-08 Hunting and Trapping Guide (also available at www.in.gov/dnr/) provides more details on fluorescent orange requirements.
7) My buddy has a license but can't hunt on opening day. Can I use his license to shoot a deer for him or her?
No, this is referred to as party hunting and is illegal. A party hunting arrangement is when a hunter not only shoots to fill his/her license but shoots additional deer to fill the licenses of other hunting party members.
8) I see a lot of products for sale at sporting goods stores such Deer Can and, Stump Likker. Is it OK to use these for hunting deer?
No, these products are considered bait; it is illegal to use bait to take deer. Bait is considered any product that is transÂported into a hunting area and placed there for animal consumption.
Baits can be in the form of salt, mineral blocks, prepared solid or liquid that is intended for the animal to eat, including the products mentioned above and others like them. An area is considered to have been baited for 10 days after the removal of the bait and any affected soil.
9) If food products like that are illegal, what about cover scents that smell like acorns or apples?
Using a product to mask your own scent, including products designed to eliminate scent, is legal.
10) If I've killed a deer, do I have to tell anyone?
Yes. Immediately upon killing a deer, you must complete a tag on paper that states the hunt er's name, address, sex of the deer and the day and month of the kill. You are not required to place the tag on the deer while dragging it out of the field as long as you have filled in the required information and carry that information with you, though you must maintain immediate custody of and visual contact with the deer carcass during this time.
The tag must be attached to the deer before you leave the deer or load the deer in a vehicle.<br />
The person who takes the deer must cause the delivery of the deer to an official deer check station within 48 hours of the kill for registration.
For a complete listing of check stations, see pages 42 to 52 of 2007-2008 Hunting and Trapping Guide (also available at www.in.gov/dnr/) or go to www.wildlife.IN.gov. Before leaving the check station, you must affix the permanent seal to the carcass. The permanent seal must remain attached, until the carcass is placed in the custody of another person for processing or until the carcass has been processed and packaged. The deer head must remain attached to the carcass until the tag is attached and locked at the deer check station.