Today, regarding HB 1231, the only person testifying outside of the author and committee members was a representative from the Indiana Farm Bureau. He said the IFB has taken no position on the rifle issue but supports the portion dealing with “purple paint” to mark property boundaries.
I suspect there will be plenty of testimony regarding rifles, pro and con, if/when the bill advances further in the House. Then, if still alive, it must pass the Senate and the Governor. The bill’s fate is not a sure thing in my opinion.
Regarding season details,
IF the bill becomes law, will be fleshed out by the DNR through the rule-making process.
Bill language regarding rifles, as it
CURRENTLY reads:
1 SECTION 1. IC 14-22-2-8 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
2 AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
3 UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 8. (a) Before July 1, 2016, the director shall
4 adopt rules under section 6 of this chapter, including emergency
5 rules adopted in the manner provided under IC 4-22-2-37.1, to
6 establish a deer hunting season during which hunters may use
7 rifles on privately owned land subject to the following:
8 (1) The rifle must have a barrel length of at least sixteen (16)
9 inches.
10 (2) The rifle must fire a cartridge that meets the following
11 specifications:
12 (A) The cartridge must fire a bullet of two hundred
13 forty-three thousandths (.243) of an inch in diameter or
14 larger.
15 (B) The cartridge must have a minimum case length of one
16 and sixteen-hundredths (1.16) inches.
17 (3) The rifle must meet any other requirements established by
1 the department. However, the department may not establish
2 any other requirements pertaining to ammunition that may be
3 used during the season established under this section,
4 including requirements concerning a minimum or maximum
5 cartridge length for ammunition.
6 (b) The use of a full metal jacketed bullet to hunt deer is
7 unlawful.