Help Change Indiana's Depredation Regulations

Change the depredation regulations in Indiana!!

Make your voice heard!

Sign our petition!

The whitetail deer population in Indiana is plentiful, this is true. The State of Indiana has used a depredation season to help control this herd for many years. The original idea was give permits to farmers that could prove crop damage. They could give these permits to shooters, to shoot does. The season started out being in the early winter, after the regular deer seasons were over. These previous regulations made some sense. Now, the season is early august and september. Some fawns are still nursing during this time and need their mother for survival. Many are starving to death this year because their mother has been killed due to the depredation season. HOW HUMANE IS THAT!!

In addition to the season being moved to late summer/early fall, bucks can also be shot. Why do we have the One Buck Law if bucks can be shot during this season? A hunter may "pass" on a nice buck, hoping it will survive another year and become a real trophy. But due to the depredation regulations, this buck could be shot and left to rot. Yes, the people that shoot these deer don't even have to eat them. They can bury them or just leave them lay to go to waste. The regulations state that one antler of a 6 point buck or more must be turned over to the local biologist, but if the deer don't have to be checked in, how do they know if they are being turned in.

Some of these shooters are waiting for large bucks only! Also, if a depredation shooter fills his freezer during this season, he will not spend the money on hunting licenses during the regular season. Therefore, the state will lose money from people buying fewer licenses. In addition, the shooters can use high powered rifles and they don't have to wear hunter orange. This is not only unsafe for the people shooting deer but also for the homeowners that may be nearby.

We would like to change these regulations!

1. The season should be moved back to early winter or hand out these permits during the regular deer season.

2. Only does can be killed, we have the One Buck Law for a reason. For the State of Indiana to produce larger bucks.

3. The deer that are taken must be claimed and put to use, whether it be eaten by the hunter or donated to a local shelter.

4. The weapons that can be used should be the same as what is legal during the regular season, bow, muzzleloader and shotguns.