FWCC meeting notes from October 2020
Nov 17, 2020 9:33:18 GMT -5
Woody Williams, parson, and 3 more like this
Post by hatchetjack on Nov 17, 2020 9:33:18 GMT -5
Law Enforcement Update:
Law Enforcement reported properties attendance up around 1 million which has had a big impact on Law
Enforcement. They are now transitioning into hunting season. A lot of baiting complaints already.
Transitioning firearms from 45 to 9 mm and getting different sight systems for Officers. Currently down
about 38 officers right now. Working on trying to get a recruit class if they can.
New Deer DNR Deer Biologist:
Moriah Boggess, undergrad at North Carolina State University. Interned with Purdue working with Jarred
Brooke. Did Masters at Mississippi State in the deer lab. He did some deer management work with
Purdue. Started October 5. Joe Caudell is now the Assistant Director of the Office of Science and
Research. He assumed this role in October 2019.
Administrative Rule Update:
Linnea Petercheff reported the rule package got final adoption by NRC in September. Likely will go into
effect mid- late December. It currently is in final review in the Attorney General and Governor’s office.
Early in year DNR received some citizen petitions for change in administrative rule. #9 shot and 410 and
28 gauge shotguns for turkey hunting. These administrative rules are being presenting to the Natural
Resources Commission on November 17 for preliminary adoption. In that package is also proposal to
allow muzzleloaders to allow loading at breach end. Incorporated beaver trapping to rule to remove
starting and ending times. This was missed on previous revisions. Once DNR receives preliminary
adoption on these rules, then DNR will open for public commenting and likely have public hearings in
early 2021. It will then go back to the Natural Resources Commission for adoption.
A few other petitions are being reviewed. There is a DNR committee that reviews these internally and
then works to prepare responses to the petitioner. One requested to allow 330 traps for beavers to be
set halfway submerged. Right now rule requires them to be completely submerged. Researching it now
on what other state’s allow. There was a petition to allow or interpret our law governing definition of
crossbows to allow a new crossbow that has limbs mounted differently. Also received a petition for
spearfishing. Still early in review process. Division of Law Enforcement is dealing with one on a boating
zone on St Joe river and wanting restrictions where people fish near the dam on St. Joe. Petition in
Forestry for disperse camping to allow it in northern tier in the state. Parks looking at Reservoirs are
looking at it and DFW will explore it for Roush. Early in process of research on that one too.
Coyote Contests:
DNR received letter about coyote contests in Indiana from the Humane Society of United States. The
letter cites other states banning these types of contests and would begin conversations about these contests in
Indiana and if DNR would support a petition or legislation to ban these contests. There have been some
preliminary discussion in DNR. There were some discussions amongst the group regarding this and how
these contests do or don’t compare to fishing tournaments. Overall there was support for DNR to collect
more data and research this issue further to ensure we have appropriate information before we move
forward with any proposal.
Law Enforcement reported properties attendance up around 1 million which has had a big impact on Law
Enforcement. They are now transitioning into hunting season. A lot of baiting complaints already.
Transitioning firearms from 45 to 9 mm and getting different sight systems for Officers. Currently down
about 38 officers right now. Working on trying to get a recruit class if they can.
New Deer DNR Deer Biologist:
Moriah Boggess, undergrad at North Carolina State University. Interned with Purdue working with Jarred
Brooke. Did Masters at Mississippi State in the deer lab. He did some deer management work with
Purdue. Started October 5. Joe Caudell is now the Assistant Director of the Office of Science and
Research. He assumed this role in October 2019.
Administrative Rule Update:
Linnea Petercheff reported the rule package got final adoption by NRC in September. Likely will go into
effect mid- late December. It currently is in final review in the Attorney General and Governor’s office.
Early in year DNR received some citizen petitions for change in administrative rule. #9 shot and 410 and
28 gauge shotguns for turkey hunting. These administrative rules are being presenting to the Natural
Resources Commission on November 17 for preliminary adoption. In that package is also proposal to
allow muzzleloaders to allow loading at breach end. Incorporated beaver trapping to rule to remove
starting and ending times. This was missed on previous revisions. Once DNR receives preliminary
adoption on these rules, then DNR will open for public commenting and likely have public hearings in
early 2021. It will then go back to the Natural Resources Commission for adoption.
A few other petitions are being reviewed. There is a DNR committee that reviews these internally and
then works to prepare responses to the petitioner. One requested to allow 330 traps for beavers to be
set halfway submerged. Right now rule requires them to be completely submerged. Researching it now
on what other state’s allow. There was a petition to allow or interpret our law governing definition of
crossbows to allow a new crossbow that has limbs mounted differently. Also received a petition for
spearfishing. Still early in review process. Division of Law Enforcement is dealing with one on a boating
zone on St Joe river and wanting restrictions where people fish near the dam on St. Joe. Petition in
Forestry for disperse camping to allow it in northern tier in the state. Parks looking at Reservoirs are
looking at it and DFW will explore it for Roush. Early in process of research on that one too.
Coyote Contests:
DNR received letter about coyote contests in Indiana from the Humane Society of United States. The
letter cites other states banning these types of contests and would begin conversations about these contests in
Indiana and if DNR would support a petition or legislation to ban these contests. There have been some
preliminary discussion in DNR. There were some discussions amongst the group regarding this and how
these contests do or don’t compare to fishing tournaments. Overall there was support for DNR to collect
more data and research this issue further to ensure we have appropriate information before we move
forward with any proposal.