Indiana Department of Natural Resources proposing changes to Indiana deer hunting rules

South Bend, Ind. -- The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (NDR) is requesting public feedback on its proposed deer hunting rule changes. The new rules would be more simple and clear for Indiana's hunting community compared to the current rules.

“What we try to do is look at the regulations without making any significant changes to how things work, really kind of narrow down what the public is having the hardest time understanding if they want to get into deer hunting,” said Joe Caudell, state deer biologist for Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

The rule changes are as followed:

•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.

The possible rule changes would majorly go into effect for the 2025/26 hunting season. NDR will be holding a public hearing for the deer hunting rule proposal Aug. 26, from 6–7:30 p.m. ET, at the Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area, 7970 S. Rowe St. in Edinburgh. You can attend in person or online anytime during the timeframes.