Things will be very different for Indiana hunters starting November 18th. Hunters can no longer use rifles when hunting on public land, which includes state and federal property. Mussleloaders, shotguns and handguns are still legal as long as they are used in accordance with their hunter regulations.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Deer hunters in Indiana have new regulations when it comes to hunting deer on public land.
Legislation passed earlier this year says hunters can no longer use rifles when hunting deer on public land.
The DNR says “public land” includes both state and federal property. Before the change was made this year, the use of rifles was legal on public land.
It is still legal to use a muzzleloader, shotgun or handgun when hunting deer on public land, as long as its in accordance with other deer hunting regulations.
Rifle use is still permitted on private property.
The 2017-2018 deer hunting season starts November 18 for firearms. You can find the complete season schedule on the Indiana DNR website.
A summary of some rifle requirements for deer hunting on private land are as follows:
- The rifle must have a barrel length of at least 16 inches
- The rifle cartridges must have a cartridge case length of least 1.16 inches and have a maximum case length of 3 inches
- The cartridge must fire a bullet with a diameter that is .243 inches (same as 6mm) or larger
- A hunter may not possess more than 10 such cartridges for each of these rifles while hunting deer
- Full metal jacketed bullets are illegal
For more information on rifle requirements for deer hunting on private land, visit the DNR website.
