Natural Resources Commission Seeks Input on Proposed Wildlife Rule Changes

Proposed changes include increasing the deer antlerless bag limit in Franklin County

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INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has opened its second public comment period for proposed changes to a number of wildlife-related rules. This is the last comment period before the NRC votes to adopt, reject or modify the proposed changes. 

Locally, one proposed change would include increasing the deer antlerless bag limit in Franklin County. 

Other proposed changes includee:

•  Allowing muzzleloaders that load the powder and primer from the breech end during the muzzleloader season;
• Removing previous limits on rifles for deer hunting, deferring to those set forth in IC 14-22-2-8;
• Removing armadillos from the list of exotic mammals;
• Removing Kirtland’s warbler from the state’s list of endangered species; and
• Allowing additional methods for taking frogs.

Public comments can be submitted online at IN.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket. Locate the “Submit Comments Here” link in the Rule-making Docket for the Fish and Wildlife Rules. 

Comments can also be mailed to:

Natural Resources Commission, C/O Indiana DNR Legal Division
402 W. Washington Street, Room W-261
Indianapolis, IN 46204

The deadline for public comments during this second public comment period is July 30.

A public hearing is scheduled for July 30 starting at 2 p.m. ET for the wildlife rule package in the Roosevelt Room at the Fort Harrison Inn, 5830 N. Post Road, Indianapolis, IN. Interested members of the public can attend in person or online.

The public hearing will also be webcast live at IN.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket during the scheduled time, and viewers will be able to comment during the webcast. Sign up for updates at on.IN.gov/dfw-rule-changes.