Indiana’s Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has opened the final public comment periods for proposed changes to Indiana’s deer hunting and river otter trapping rules before members vote on final adoption.

Public comments can be submitted at IN.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket via the “Submit Comments Here” link in the Rulemaking Docket for the Deer Hunting Amendment Proposal and River Otter Trapping Rule. Comments can also be mailed to:

Natural Resources Commission
Indiana Government Center North 
100 North Senate Ave., Room N103
Indianapolis, IN 46204

The deadline for public comments via either method is Aug. 23. The public hearing for the river otter trapping proposals is Aug. 26, from 4:30–6 p.m. ET. The public hearing for the deer hunting rule proposal is also Aug. 26, from 6–7:30 p.m. ET. Both hearings will be at Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area, 7970 S. Rowe St. in Edinburgh. You can attend in person or online anytime during the timeframes.

To attend online for the river otter trapping rule proposals hearing, go to Microsoft Teams and enter Meeting ID 222 103 323 673 and Passcode 6Uubce.

To attend online for the deer hunting rule proposals hearing, go to Microsoft Teams and enter Meeting ID 270 300 510 234 and Passcode v8ArCJ.

Indiana DNR is proposing to open regulated otter trapping statewide but retain all other otter trapping regulations, such as the statewide quota, bag limits, reporting, and tagging for the regulated otter season. Indiana DNR values river otters and recognizes their value to the state, said DNR furbearer biologist Geriann Albers.

“We take the responsibility of balancing differing views around wildlife management seriously and are thoughtful about making small incremental changes for river otters,” she said.

Indiana DNR is confident the changes will not negatively impact river otter populations, which staff will continue to monitor.

Proposed deer hunting rule changes include:

• A statewide bag limit of six antlerless deer as well as a newly created county antlerless bag limit instead of season antlerless bag limits. Because of this change, the bonus antlerless license would be the multiple-season antlerless license that could be used in the archery, muzzleloader, and firearms seasons.
• Hunters would not be able to harvest antlerless deer on Division of Fish & Wildlife properties with a firearm.
• The use of crossbow equipment would be allowed under the archery license.
• The minimum caliber for a muzzleloader would be reduced from 0.44 inches to 0.40 inches.
• Removing the special antlerless firearms season.
   

For more information on the proposed rule changes, visit wildlife.IN.gov/rule-regulation-changes.

Questions about the proposed deer regulation changes should be directed to 812-334-3795 or [email protected]. Questions about the proposed otter rule changes should be directed to Geriann Albers at 812-822-3304 or [email protected].

To view more DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.