Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-22-2-6

Affected: IC 14-22-11; IC 14-22-12; IC 35-47

[NOTE: 312 IAC 9-3-2 was superseded by Interim Final Rule LSA #24-225 20240828-IR-312240225IFA. This document expires August 21, 2025.]

Sec. 2. (a) This section and sections 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10 of this rule govern:

1. (1) hunting;
2. (2) transporting; and
3. (3) disposing of;

white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

(b) "Deer license bundle" means a deer hunting license that replaces a valid deer hunting license and allows an individual to take one (1) antlered deer and two (2) antlerless deer, under this section and sections 3 and 4 of this rule, during the following seasons combined during one (1) license year:

1. (1) Special youth season.
2. (2) Archery season.
3. (3) Firearms season.
4. (4) Muzzleloader season.

(c) "Multiple season antlerless deer license" means a deer hunting license that allows an individual to take one (1) antlerless deer using the equipment authorized for that season under section 3 of this rule.

(d) An individual who claims a deer taken is not a white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) shall prove the deer is not a white-tailed deer.

(e) An individual may apply for multiple licenses to hunt deer under this section.

(f) Except as provided under IC 14-22-11-1 and IC 14-22-11-11, an individual may not hunt a deer:

1. (1) unless the individual possesses a valid license to hunt a deer under this section bearing the name of the individual; or
2. (2) with a license to hunt a deer under this section issued to another individual.

(g) A youth hunter may take deer during the youth deer season under section 4 of this rule if the youth hunter:

1. (1) is issued a license to hunt deer under:

   1. (A) a resident youth consolidated hunting, trapping, and fishing license under IC 14-22-11-10(b) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(24);
   2. (B) a nonresident youth deer firearms license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(29);
   3. (C) a nonresident youth deer muzzleloader license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(30);
   4. (D) a nonresident youth deer archery license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(31);
   5. (E) a nonresident youth extra deer license bundle under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
   6. (F) a nonresident youth extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
   7. (G) a lifetime comprehensive hunting license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4) before its repeal;
   8. (H) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5) before its repeal; or
   9. (I) an apprentice license of the types identified in clauses (A) through (F) under IC 14-22-12-1.7; or
2. (2) takes deer without a license under IC 14-22-11-1 and 312 IAC 9-2-14.

(h) An individual may take deer with a long bow, recurve bow, compound bow, or crossbow during the archery season under section 4 of this rule if the individual:

1. (1) is issued a license to hunt deer by bow and arrow or crossbow under:

   1. (A) a resident deer archery license under IC 14-22-11-10(a) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(14);
   2. (B) a nonresident deer archery license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(17);
   3. (C) a resident youth consolidated hunting, trapping, and fishing license under IC 14-22-11-10(b) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(24);
   4. (D) a nonresident youth deer archery license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(31);
   5. (E) a resident extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18);
   6. (F) a nonresident extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19);
   7. (G) a resident extra deer license bundle under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18);
   8. (H) a nonresident extra deer license bundle under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19);
   9. (I) a nonresident youth extra deer license bundle under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
   10. (J) a nonresident youth extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
   11. (K) a lifetime comprehensive hunting license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4) before its repeal;
   12. (L) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5) before its repeal; or
   13. (M) an apprentice license of the types identified in clauses (A) through (J) under IC 14-22-12-1.7; or
2. (2) takes deer without a license under IC 14-22-11-1 and 312 IAC 9-2-14.

(i) Except as provided in subsection (v), an individual may take deer with a firearm during the firearms season under section 4 of this rule if the individual:

1. (1) is issued a license to hunt deer with firearms under:

   1. (A) a resident deer firearms license under IC 14-22-11-10(a) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(12);
   2. (B) a nonresident deer firearms license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(15);
   3. (C) a resident youth consolidated hunting, trapping, and fishing license under IC 14-22-11-10(b) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(24);
   4. (D) a nonresident youth deer firearms license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(29);
   5. (E) a resident extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18);
   6. (F) a nonresident extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19);
   7. (G) a resident extra deer license bundle under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18);
   8. (H) a nonresident extra deer license bundle under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19);
   9. (I) a nonresident youth extra deer license bundle under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
   10. (J) a nonresident youth extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
   11. (K) a lifetime comprehensive hunting license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4) before its repeal;
   12. (L) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5) before its repeal; or
   13. (M) an apprentice license of the types identified in clauses (A) through (J) under IC 14-22-12-1.7; or
2. (2) takes deer without a license under IC 14-22-11-1 and 312 IAC 9-2-14.

(j) An individual may take deer with a muzzleloader during the muzzleloader season under section 4 of this rule if the individual:

1. (1) is issued a license to hunt deer by a muzzleloader with:

   1. (A) a resident deer muzzleloader license under IC 14-22-11-10(a) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(13);
   2. (B) a nonresident deer muzzleloader license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(16);
   3. (C) a resident youth consolidated hunting, trapping, and fishing license under IC 14-22-11-10(b) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(24);
   4. (D) a nonresident youth deer muzzleloader license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(30);
   5. (E) a resident extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18);
   6. (F) a nonresident extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19);
   7. (G) a resident extra deer license bundle under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18);
   8. (H) a nonresident extra deer license bundle under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19);
   9. (I) a nonresident youth extra deer license bundle under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
   10. (J) a nonresident youth extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
   11. (K) a lifetime comprehensive hunting license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4) before its repeal;
   12. (L) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5) before its repeal; or
   13. (M) an apprentice license of the types identified in clauses (A) through (J) under IC 14-22-12-1.7; or
2. (2) takes deer without a license under IC 14-22-11-1 and 312 IAC 9-2-14.

(k) An individual may take deer during the deer reduction season under section 4 of this rule if the individual:

1. (1) is issued a license to hunt deer with:

   1. (A) a resident extra deer reduction zone license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18);
   2. (B) a nonresident extra deer reduction zone license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19);
   3. (C) a resident youth consolidated hunting, trapping, and fishing license under IC 14-22-11-10(b) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(24);
   4. (D) a nonresident youth extra deer reduction zone license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
   5. (E) an apprentice license of the types identified in clauses (A) through (D) under IC 14-22-12-1.7;
   6. (F) a lifetime comprehensive hunting license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4) before its repeal; or
   7. (G) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5) before its repeal; or
2. (2) takes deer without a license under IC 14-22-11-1 and 312 IAC 9-2-14.

(l) An individual may take an antlerless deer during a deer hunting season under section 4 of this rule if the individual:

1. (1) is issued a license to hunt deer with:

   1. (A) a resident extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18);
   2. (B) a nonresident extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19);
   3. (C) a resident youth consolidated hunting, trapping, and fishing license under IC 14-22-11-10(b) or IC 14-22-12-1(a)(24);
   4. (D) a nonresident youth extra deer multiple season antlerless license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
   5. (E) a resident extra deer license bundle under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(18);
   6. (F) a nonresident extra deer license bundle under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(19);
   7. (G) a nonresident youth extra deer license bundle under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(32);
   8. (H) an apprentice license of the types identified in clauses (A) through (G) under IC 14-22-12-1.7;
   9. (I) a lifetime comprehensive hunting license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(4) before its repeal; or
   10. (J) a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license under IC 14-22-12-7(a)(5) before its repeal; or
2. (2) takes deer without a license under IC 14-22-11-1 and 312 IAC 9-2-14.

(m) An individual may take an antlerless deer with an extra deer multiple season antlerless license during the special youth, archery, firearm, and muzzleloader seasons as authorized by section 4 of this rule.

(n) An individual may take one (1) antlerless deer using equipment authorized for a season under section 3 of this rule with an extra deer multiple season antlerless deer license.

(o) Immediately after taking a deer, an individual shall record the following on a piece of paper:

1. (1) The name and address of the individual who took the deer.
2. (2) The number of the hunting license issued to the individual who took the deer, if applicable.
3. (3) The sex of the deer.
4. (4) The month and day the deer was taken.

An individual who takes a deer shall retain possession of the piece of paper under this subsection until the piece of paper is attached to the deer. The individual shall attach the piece of paper to the deer if that individual does not maintain direct physical control of, and constant visual contact with, the deer carcass.

(p) An individual who takes a deer shall ensure the deer carcass is delivered to an official checking station to register the deer, or report the take and provide true and accurate information required by the department's electronic harvest reporting system on the earlier of the following:

1. (1) Not later than forty-eight (48) hours after taking the deer.
2. (2) Before the deer is removed from the state.

The individual who delivers a deer carcass to an official checking station shall provide true and accurate information that includes the information from the piece of paper described in subsection (o).

(q) The head of a deer must remain attached to the deer carcass until the deer is registered either at an official checking station or through the electronic harvest reporting system.

(r) When a deer is registered:

1. (1) at an official deer checking station, the checking station operator shall:

   1. (A) record the information from the piece of paper described in subsection (o);
   2. (B) report the take on the electronic harvest reporting system; and
   3. (C) give the individual the confirmation number, which the individual shall record on the piece of paper described in subsection (o); or
2. (2) using the electronic harvest reporting system, the individual who takes the deer shall record the confirmation number on the piece of paper described in subsection (o).

(s) An individual who takes deer shall maintain the confirmation number provided under subsection (r) with the deer until the deer processing begins.

(t) An individual may hunt a deer beginning one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise and ending one-half (1/2) hour after sunset.

(u) An individual shall wear hunter orange:

1. (1) in a season under section 4(b), 4(e), and 4(f) of this rule;
2. (2) in the archery season under section 4 of this rule that overlaps a season under section 4(e), 4(f), and 4(g) of this rule;
3. (3) when use of a firearm is authorized under section 4 of this rule; or
4. (4) in the deer reduction season under section 4 of this rule when use of a firearm is authorized under section 3(f) of this rule.

(v) An individual may not take more than one (1) antlered deer and six (6) antlerless deer statewide during the special youth, archery, firearm, and muzzleloader seasons collectively under section 4 of this rule beginning the first day of the special youth deer season of one (1) calendar year and ending the last day of the archery season in the following calendar year. An individual may not take more than the number of antlerless deer permitted by each county under section 4(g) of this rule during the special youth, archery, firearm, and muzzleloader seasons collectively.

(w) An individual may not take an antlerless deer with a firearm during the firearm season on the following properties operated by the department:

1. (1) A property operated by the division of fish and wildlife.
2. (2) Mississinewa Lake.
3. (3) Salamonie Lake.
4. (4) Patoka Lake.

(x) An individual may not take a deer with the use or aid of:

1. (1) bait, which includes:

   1. (A) a food transported and placed for consumption, including a pile of corn or an apple in a field;
   2. (B) a prepared solid or liquid manufactured and intended for consumption by livestock or wild deer, including commercial bait or a food supplement;
   3. (C) salt; or
   4. (D) a mineral supplement;
2. (2) a snare;
3. (3) a dog; or
4. (4) any other domesticated animal.

An individual may use a manufactured scent or lure, or a similar chemical or natural attractant.

(y) An area is considered baited for ten (10) days after the bait and baited soil are removed. An individual may hunt an area that may be attractive to deer as the result of normal agricultural activity.

(z) Notwithstanding subsection (x), an individual may use a dog on a leash to track or trail a wounded deer.

(aa) Notwithstanding subsection (x), an individual may use a:

1. (1) donkey;
2. (2) mule; or
3. (3) horse;

to transport deer. An individual may not use a donkey, mule, or horse under this subsection while hunting.

(bb) An individual may possess a handgun under IC 35-47 while hunting a deer.

(cc) An individual who takes a deer believed to be unfit for human consumption by an authorized department biologist, a property manager, or an Indiana conservation officer may be issued an authorization to take an antlerless deer that will not count toward the statewide antlerless deer bag limit under subsection (v), or the county bag limit under section 4 of this rule.

(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 9-3-2; filed May 12, 1997, 10:00 a.m.: 20 IR 2702; filed Dec 26, 2001, 2:40 p.m.: 25 IR 1528; readopted filed Jul 28, 2003, 12:00 p.m.: 27 IR 286; filed Sep 23, 2004, 3:00 p.m.: 28 IR 536; filed May 12, 2006, 10:38 a.m.: 29 IR 3344; filed Jun 23, 2006, 2:24 p.m.: 20060719-IR-312050214FRA; errata filed Jul 21, 2006, 1:56 p.m.: 20060802-IR-312050214ACA; filed Jul 10, 2007, 2:09 p.m.: 20070808-IR-312060572FRA; readopted filed Nov 24, 2008, 11:08 a.m.: 20081210-IR-312080672RFA; filed Nov 3, 2009, 3:34 p.m.: 20091202-IR-312090044FRA; filed Dec 1, 2011, 4:01 p.m.: 20111228-IR-312110101FRA; errata filed Jan 10, 2012, 1:19 p.m.: 20120125-IR-312120006ACA; filed Jul 9, 2012, 3:00 p.m.: 20120808-IR-312120065FRA; filed Dec 18, 2012, 2:00 p.m.: 20130116-IR-312120115FRA; filed Sep 13, 2013, 3:02 p.m.: 20131009-IR-312120670FRA; readopted filed May 20, 2014, 9:43 a.m.: 20140618-IR-312140017RFA; filed Jun 15, 2015, 3:43 p.m.: 20150715-IR-312140453FRA; readopted filed Sep 18, 2019, 1:16 p.m.: 20191016-IR-312190325RFA; filed Nov 16, 2020, 9:30 a.m.: 20201216-IR-312200069FRA; filed Dec 12, 2024, 2:17 p.m.: 20250108-IR-312240049FRA)