Indiana seeks input on deer hunting rule changes. Plus hike, clean up and parade into May.

Joseph Dits, South Bend Tribune
·4 min read
The state of Indiana is considering changes to its deer hunting rules, as public input is welcome until May 20, 2024.
The state of Indiana is considering changes to its deer hunting rules, as public input is welcome until May 20, 2024.

You have until May 20 to give Indiana’s Natural Resources Commission your input on a series of proposed changes to the state’s deer hunting rules. After that, the commission will vote on their final adoption. The state says that most, not all, of the changes are meant to simplify the rules so they’re easier to understand.

Here are the proposed changes:

∎ There would be a statewide bag limit of six antlerless deer, apart from special hunts. Counties may have an antlerless bag limit that is lower than that, which means you'd have to hunt in more than one county if you wanted to harvest six deer in one season. State biologist Joe Caudell says this is meant to make it less confusing to explain the limits to hunters. When asked, he said only about 20 to 40 hunters statewide would harvest more than six antlerless deer in a given year. That's often in addition to the one antlered buck that they're allowed. Also, the term "bonus antlerless license" would be changed to "multiple-season antlerless license," reflecting that it could be used in the archery, muzzleloader and firearms seasons.

∎ Hunters would not be able to harvest an antlerless deer on state fish and wildlife properties with a firearm.

∎ The use of crossbow equipment would be allowed under the archery license.

∎ The minimum caliber for a muzzleloader would drop from 0.44 inches to 0.40 inches.

∎ If you cull a deer that’s unfit for human consumption, Indiana Department of Natural Resources staff could authorize you to take an antlerless deer instead that won’t count against your statewide bag limit or county limit.

∎ Deer reduction zones and county antlerless bag limits would be added.

∎ The special antlerless firearms season would be removed.

Learn more about the proposed changes at wildlife.IN.gov/rule-regulation-changes/.

You can submit comments online at IN.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket via the “Submit Comments Here” link in the Rulemaking Docket for the Deer Hunting Amendments. Or mail them to Natural Resources Commission, Indiana Government Center North, 100 N. Senate Ave., Room N103, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

A public hearing will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 20 at Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area, 7970 S. Rowe St., Edinburgh, Ind., south of Indianapolis. You can attend in person or online via Microsoft Teams (enter Meeting ID 213 479 076 835 and Passcode Ack2vu). An in-person open house will precede it at 4:30 p.m. at Atterbury.

Welcome to May

∎ Hike and eat: The Hoosier Hikers, an affiliate of the American Volkssport Association, will host hikes before their quarterly dinner meeting May 2 in Plymouth. You can either hike about six miles at 4 p.m. or about three miles at 5 p.m. Meet for either hike in the vestibule of Christos Family Dining, 2227 N. Michigan St. Cost for the hikes is $4. Dinner will begin at Christos at 7 p.m. For more information, email Bob Buzolich at sonofbuzz@prodigy.net.

∎ Bike parade: All ages are encouraged to decorate their bikes and join in a bike parade on a street closed off to traffic at 6:30 p.m. May 3 as part of downtown South Bend’s First Friday events. Prizes will be given. Meet at 6:15 p.m. by the bike valet by the Chicory Cafe, 105 E. Jefferson Blvd.

Juday Creek passes behind the JMS Plaza in Mishawaka, seen here a few years ago.
Juday Creek passes behind the JMS Plaza in Mishawaka, seen here a few years ago.

∎ Juday Creek cleanup: Join a cleanup and beautification of Juday Creek at 10 a.m. May 4 at Clear Outlook in the JMS Plaza at 4609 Grape Road, Mishawaka. Look for the “Earth Day” banner on Grape. Work gloves and trash bags will be provided. Any glass and metal collected will be recycled. Veggies, pizza, water and dessert will be served afterwards. For questions, text the organizer, Diana Mendelsohn of Green Earth Bike Rentals, at 574-310-9428. Or email her at greenearthbikerental@gmail.com.

∎ Warren wildflowers: Join the Harbor Country Hikers at 1 p.m. May 4 to hike at least two miles in search of spring wildflowers at Warren Woods State Park. From Three Oaks, drive north on Three Oaks Road, turn left on Elm Valley Road and after 0.7 miles look for the trailhead parking lot on the north (right) side. 

Large-flowered white trilliums are in full bloom at Trillium Ravine Nature Preserve in Niles and at other local nature preserves. Harbor Country Hikers will look for wildflowers at Warren Woods State Park on May 4, 2024.
Large-flowered white trilliums are in full bloom at Trillium Ravine Nature Preserve in Niles and at other local nature preserves. Harbor Country Hikers will look for wildflowers at Warren Woods State Park on May 4, 2024.

∎ How the Great Lakes were created: Berrien County naturalist Katy Swanson will tell the story of how the Great Lakes formed over millions of years and how humans continue to shape them in a talk at 6 p.m. May 7 at the New Buffalo Township Library, 33 N. Thompson St, in downtown.

Find columnist Joseph Dits on Facebook at SBTOutdoorAdventures or 574-235-6158 or jdits@sbtinfo.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Indiana deer hunting rule changes need public input and hike into May