Here's my greatest beef with this whole thing, and every sportsman should feel the same (no matter your stance on HPRs allowed).
The DNR and even the NRC were formed by the State to organize and operate and run all Fish and Wildlife related things. Bag limits, seasons, regulations and such. Last year there was serious discussion about the inclusion of HPRs in a broader way than already allowed (which they are). In the end the DNR/NRC both concluded it was far too much of a split 50-50 subject with Indiana hunters...I bet if it had been more like 66% for we may have very well made it. I think they made the right call not going with a change no more are for than are against.
If bow hunters united and attempted to push firearm seasons be cut by 50% days wise, and it was split 50-50 I would hope for a similar response from them.
So now that the HPR fanboys did not get their way they are attempting to supercede the DNR by forcing it in legislatively. This is NOT something any sportsman should desire. If we are going to allow HPRs, so be it, but we need to do it the right way.
Many of our legislative servants know VERY little about hunting or fishing or the outdoors and that is why the DNR exists...so we do not have as great of an "ivory tower" syndrome occurrence in our regulations when it comes to hunting and fishing.
I for one hope it doesn't pass, but it has NOTHING to do with the bill or what is in it...it has everything to do with the avenue being taken.
I'm sure DNR does some good things. I just don't think making regulations is one of them. We already have the shortest deer season for firearms of any state I've ever lived in. And a bunch of other things I could name that seem messed up to me.
I guess I can understand your point but I don't really see DNR applying any better common sense or logic to things than the legislature. The case length thing specific to a particular species was/is a perfect example.
I took this approach to be something that was able to circumvent the ineptitude of the DNR and get some common sense legislation passed to bring Indiana hunting at least up to the 19th century.
I'm not sure you want a separate level of government that "knows about" a topic to get something passed. Our legislature knows little about guns too, but we all pushed for them to straighten out that messed up guns at "school functions".
I'm sure DNR does some good things. I just don't think making regulations is one of them.
It was a perfect storm that sunk the IDNR HPR proposal. In addition to the perceived safety factor that was pushed there were individuals and groups that were whining about a "severe decline of the deer herd" and these long range guns would decimate the herd further.
I've always deplored going to the legislature to get game management rules changed. I still feel the same way. These amendments are a prime example of people changing things that they have no clue about. This bill and amendments make a Chinese Fire Drill look organized.
Um....shortest? I wasn't disagreeing with you till this sentence about firearm season length caught me off guard...still not disagreeing just curious...
We have on average 30 days +/- where firearms can be utilized in a hunt. Some counties can add another 7 days +/- if you are in a county with that late season bonus antlerless season. That is over an entire month for firearms.
I know some think it isn't enough, but what other states have you lived in that have shorter?
We pretty much coincide with Michigan, and am fairly certain we have more than Ohio and Illinois...Kentucky I'm not sure of.
South Carolina where I lived, you can hunt from October to Jan in most places, some places Aug to Jan.
Buck limit is 2 a day, 5 per season. Anterless is limited to one per day.
When you move from that to Indiana, Indiana seems a bit restrictive LOL
Yeah-hahahaha! Thats about par for the course!Wouldn't it be something if all they ended up with was PURPLE PAINT on the trees?
Yeah. But you can shoot 60 in a season so it works outAren't the S.C. bucks about 3 feet tall and about 90lbs?
Yeah. But you can shoot 60 in a season so it works out