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Department of Natural Resources

Emergency Rule for 2017 Indiana Deer Hunting Season

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An emergency rule signed today by the DNR, filed with the Natural Resources Commission and the Legislative Services Agency, states the following:

“Rifle cartridges that were allowed in previous years on public land for deer hunting are allowed on public land again this year during the deer firearms season, the reduction zone season (in zones where local ordinances allow the use of a firearm), special hunts on other public lands such as State Parks and National Wildlife Refuges, and special antlerless season.

This means that the rifle cartridge must fire a bullet of .357-inch diameter or larger, have a minimum case length of 1.16 inches, and have a maximum case length of 1.8 inches if used on public land. Full metal jacketed bullets are illegal.”

For more information on rifle requirements for deer hunting on private land, visit wildlife.IN.gov/7389.htm and click on “Equipment.”

For up to date information on waterfowl seasons, visit wildlife.IN.gov/3569.htm.

The 2017 Indiana Deer Hunting Firearms Season is Nov. 18 through Dec 3.

SOURCE: Indiana DNR

Indiana off-road vehicle helmet law takes effect July 1

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Effective July 1, state law will require children under age 18 to wear an approved helmet when riding any off-road vehicle (ORV) on public or private property in Indiana, including Interlake and Redbird state recreation areas.

House Enrolled Act 1200, which was signed into law by Gov. Eric J. Holcomb on April 26, means changes to the rules at the two off-road-riding properties owned and operated by the Department of Natural Resources, Redbird and Interlake. Redbird SRA is near Linton, and Interlake SRA is near Lynnville.

Both properties previously required children and adults to wear approved helmets when riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and dirt bikes but not when riding side-by-side ORVs equipped with roll bars or overhead protection. HEA 1200 applies to both ATVs and side-by-side ORVs. The new law will add the requirement that children in side-by-side ORVs wear approved helmets.

Currently the DNR riding properties do not require children or adults to wear approved helmets when riding side-by-side ORVs, but the DNR recommends everyone wear approved helmets when doing any off-road riding.

Under the new law, owners of ORVs who allow children younger than age 18 to ride their ORV on public or private property without wearing an approved helmet can be charged with a Class C infraction, which carries a maximum penalty of $500.

“Approved helmets” are those that meet U.S. Department of Transportation standards.

Redbird and Interlake will not have helmets available for borrow or rent. Visitors who want their children to be allowed to ride ATVs at those properties will need to bring the proper amount of approved helmets with them in order to access the properties.

Once inside either property, violators of the new law will be subject to penalties, as well as expulsion from the property.

To prepare for the change and to maximize safety of children, Redbird and Interlake property manager Carman Jackson recommends customers acquire approved children’s helmets and have their children start wearing them before July 1.

“Having children wear helmets before July 1 will allow plenty of time to figure out the correct sizing for children’s helmets and for children’s neck muscles to acclimate to supporting the weight of the helmet before getting into the hilly terrain at our properties,” Jackson said.

The new law does not affect the riders of snowmobiles, which do not fall under the legal definition of ORV per Indiana Code 14-8-2-185.

For more information about Redbird SRA, see dnr.IN.gov/ outdoor/4225.htm. For more information about Interlake SRA, see dnr.IN.gov//4226.htm.

SOURCE: Department of Natural Resources