CHAPTER 11. LICENSES AND PERMITS; GENERAL PROVISIONS
IC 14-22-11
Chapter 11. Licenses and Permits; General Provisions
IC 14-22-11-1
"Farmland" defined; license requirements and conditions
Sec. 1. (a) As used in this section, "farmland" means agriculturalland that is:
(1) devoted or best adaptable for the production of crops, fruits,timber, and the raising of livestock; or
(2) assessed as agricultural land for property tax purposes.
(b) An individual may not take or chase, with or without dogs, awild animal without having a license, except as follows:
(1) An individual who is a resident or nonresident of Indianawhile participating in a field trial that has been sanctioned bythe director is not required to possess a license whileparticipating in the trial.
(2) Subject to subsection (d), an owner of farmland located inIndiana who is a resident or nonresident of Indiana and thespouse and children living with the owner may hunt, fish, andtrap without a license on the land that the owner owns.
(3) A lessee of farmland who farms that land and is a residentof Indiana and the spouse and children living with the lesseemay hunt, fish, and trap without a license on the leased land.This subdivision does not apply to land that is:
(A) owned, leased, or controlled by; and
(B) leased from;
the department.
(4) An individual who:
(A) is less than thirteen (13) years of age;
(B) does not possess a bow or firearm; and
(C) is accompanying an individual who:
(i) is at least eighteen (18) years of age; and
(ii) holds a valid license;
may chase a wild animal without having a license.
(c) The exceptions provided in this section do not apply to acommercial license issued under this article.
(d) The right of a nonresident who owns farmland in Indiana (andof the spouse and children who reside with the nonresident) to hunt,fish, and trap on the farmland without a license under subsection(b)(2) is subject to the following conditions:
(1) The nonresident may hunt, fish, and trap on the farmlandwithout a license only if the state in which the nonresidentresides allows residents of Indiana who own land in that stateto hunt, fish, and trap on their land without a license.
(2) While hunting, fishing, or trapping on the farmland, thenonresident must keep proof that the nonresident owns thefarmland (for example, a tax receipt identifying the nonresidentas owner) in a place where the proof is readily accessible by thenonresident.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15. Amended by P.L.139-1997, SEC.1;
P.L.25-1998, SEC.1; P.L.186-2003, SEC.60.
IC 14-22-11-2
Raccoon hunting
Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the season fortaking raccoons is closed to nonresidents of Indiana.
(b) The director may open the season on raccoons to the residentsof another state on the same days and during the same hours that theraccoon season in the nonresident's state of residence is open toresidents of the nonresident's state. However, a nonresident may nottake raccoons in Indiana when the season is closed in Indiana evenif the raccoon taking season is open in the nonresident's state.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15.
IC 14-22-11-3
License; issuance; form
Sec. 3. (a) An applicant for a hunting, trapping, or fishing licensemust provide the applicant's Social Security number in order toobtain the license. Social Security numbers acquired under thissubsection shall be kept confidential and used only to carry out thepurposes of the Title IV-D program.
(b) The director and agents appointed by the director asauthorized representatives of the department shall issue hunting,trapping, and fishing licenses.
(c) The clerk of the circuit court in each county may issuehunting, trapping, and fishing licenses.
(d) Each hunting, trapping, or fishing license must be in a formprescribed by the director. The director may furnish the clerks andagents with all necessary equipment needed to issue a license.
(e) All licenses, stamps, or permits purchased electronically arevalid only with the original signature of the licensee on the formprescribed by the director. The licensee's signature serves as anaffidavit that the license, stamp, or permit information is true andaccurate.
(f) A person who violates the confidentiality requirement ofsubsection (a) commits a Class A infraction.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15. Amended by P.L.188-2001, SEC.2;P.L.52-2002, SEC.2; P.L.86-2002, SEC.4; P.L.176-2002, SEC.8;P.L.1-2003, SEC.59; P.L.225-2005, SEC.20.
IC 14-22-11-4
License; expiration
Sec. 4. (a) Except as provided in IC 14-22-13-9 andIC 14-22-15-3, each yearly hunting or fishing license expires onMarch 31 of the year following the year in which the license becameeffective.
(b) A yearly trapping license expires on March 31 of the yearfollowing the year in which the license became effective.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15. Amended by P.L.17-1997, SEC.4;P.L.225-2005, SEC.21.
IC 14-22-11-5
Hunter education
Sec. 5. (a) This section does not apply to an individual issued anapprentice license under IC 14-22-12-1.7.
(b) In addition to other requirements for obtaining a huntinglicense, a person born after December 31, 1986, must havesuccessfully completed the course of instruction in hunter educationoffered by the department or the department's agent underIC 14-22-35.
(c) If an applicant for a hunting license who is subject tosubsection (b) requests that a hunter education course be offered inthe applicant's county of residence, the department or thedepartment's agent shall offer a hunting safety course underIC 14-22-35 in the applicant's county of residence not more thanninety-two (92) days after receiving a request.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15. Amended by P.L.14-2008, SEC.1.
IC 14-22-11-6
Possession of hunting license
Sec. 6. Except as provided in sections 1 and 18 of this chapter,every person must have a hunting license in the person's possessionwhen hunting.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15. Amended by P.L.132-2006, SEC.2.
IC 14-22-11-7
Possession of trapping license
Sec. 7. Except as provided in section 1 of this chapter, everyperson must have a trapping license in the person's possession whentrapping.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15.
IC 14-22-11-8
Fishing license and trout - salmon stamp requirements; exceptions
Sec. 8. (a) This section does not apply to the following:
(1) A person who is:
(A) a resident of Indiana; and
(B) an individual born before April 1, 1943.
(2) A person who is less than eighteen (18) years of age.
(3) A person who is legally blind.
(4) A person who is a resident patient of a state mentalinstitution.
(5) A person who is:
(A) a resident of a health facility (as defined inIC 16-18-2-167) licensed in Indiana; and
(B) taking part in a supervised activity of the health facility.
(6) A person who:
(A) is a resident of Indiana; and
(B) has a developmental disability (as defined byIC 12-7-2-61).
(7) A person whose only participation in fishing is to assist an
individual described in subdivision (3), (4), (5), or (6).
(8) A resident of Indiana who fishes during a free sport fishingday designated under IC 14-22-18.
(b) Every person must have a fishing license in the person'spossession when fishing in:
(1) waters containing state owned fish;
(2) waters of the state; or
(3) boundary waters of the state.
(c) Every person must have a valid trout-salmon stamp in theperson's possession to legally fish for or take trout or salmon in:
(1) waters containing state owned fish;
(2) waters of the state; or
(3) boundary waters of the state.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15. Amended by P.L.84-2000, SEC.1;P.L.149-2002, SEC.1; P.L.14-2007, SEC.1; P.L.18-2009, SEC.2.
IC 14-22-11-9
Special licenses
Sec. 9. If a special hunting, trapping, or fishing license is issued,a regular license is not required.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15.
IC 14-22-11-10
Resident licenses for nonresidents
Sec. 10. (a) A nonresident of Indiana who is:
(1) on active duty with a branch or department of the armedforces of the United States while stationed in Indiana; or
(2) in the employment of:
(A) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; or
(B) the conservation department of a state, territory, orpossession of the United States; and
in Indiana for the purpose of advising or consulting with thedepartment;
may hunt or fish in Indiana after obtaining the proper residentlicense. A nonresident described in this subsection must carry on thenonresident's person, when fishing or hunting, the license and a cardor other evidence that identifies the nonresident as a person qualifiedto obtain a license under this subsection.
(b) A nonresident of Indiana who:
(1) is less than eighteen (18) years of age; and
(2) has a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian who is a residentof Indiana;
may hunt, fish, or trap in Indiana after obtaining the proper residentlicense.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15. Amended by P.L.77-2000, SEC.1.
IC 14-22-11-11
Resident members of armed forces
Sec. 11. A resident of Indiana on leave from the armed forces ofthe United States may hunt or fish any species in season without a
license for the duration of the person's leave. However, when theperson is hunting or fishing, the person must show the person's leaveorders and motor vehicle operator's license or voter registration cardto prove residence in Indiana to a law enforcement officer requestingto see the leave orders and license or card.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15.
IC 14-22-11-12
Form; scope of rules or restrictions
Sec. 12. (a) Each license, permit, certificate, seal, stamp, tag,order, and rule required or authorized by this article must be in theform prescribed by the director, unless otherwise provided in thisarticle.
(b) A rule or restriction that the director is authorized by thisarticle to make or prescribe and incorporate in or attach to a licenseor permit issued under this article means only the rules or restrictionsthat are:
(1) necessary and proper for adequate protection or propagationof wild animals; or
(2) necessary to promote the general purpose of this article.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15.
IC 14-22-11-13
Resident license falsely procured by nonresident
Sec. 13. (a) A nonresident of Indiana may not represent falsely toan officer or agent authorized to sell a license or permit under thisarticle that the nonresident is a resident of Indiana for the purpose ofprocuring a resident license or permit under this article.
(b) A license or permit procured by violating this section:
(1) is void; and
(2) does not confer a right or privilege to engage in the pursuitmentioned in the license or permit.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15.
IC 14-22-11-14
Possession; display to enforcement officers; alteration
Sec. 14. (a) A person who has procured a license or permitrequired under this article must have the license or permit on theperson when engaged in the pursuit for which the license or permitwas issued. Upon request of an officer authorized to enforce thisarticle or the fish and wildlife laws of Indiana, the person mustproduce and exhibit the license or permit. If the person does notproduce and exhibit the license or permit, the person may not engagein the pursuit authorized by the license or permit.
(b) A person or an authorized licensing agent may not falsify,predate, change, alter, or counterfeit a license or permit issued underthis article.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15.
IC 14-22-11-15 Compliance with laws and rules express condition of license orpermit; revocation; hearing
Sec. 15. (a) Each license and permit issued under this article isissued upon the express condition, to which the licensee or permitteeby acceptance of the license or permit is considered to agree andconsent, that the licensee or permittee will obey and comply with thefollowing:
(1) All the terms, conditions, and rules:
(A) made by the director under this article; and
(B) incorporated in or attached to the license or permit whenissued.
(2) This article.
(3) A wildlife law (as defined by IC 14-22-41-4(p)) while thelicensee is in another jurisdiction that has adopted the wildlifeviolator compact (IC 14-22-41).
(b) A license or permit may be revoked by the director at any timewithout refund for any of the following:
(1) Failure to comply with or violation of the terms, conditions,rules, or restrictions incorporated in or attached to the licenseor permit when issued.
(2) Violation of this article.
(3) Violation of a wildlife law (as defined by IC 14-22-41-4(p))while the licensee is in another jurisdiction that has adopted thewildlife violator compact (IC 14-22-41).
(c) A person whose license or permit has been revoked by thedirector under this article may, by written request to the director,have a hearing on the revocation. Upon receipt of written request fora hearing on the revocation, the director shall do the following:
(1) Set a date for the hearing, which may not be more thanfifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of the request.
(2) Give the person requesting the hearing at least five (5) daysnotice of the date of the hearing, which shall be held in theoffice of the director.
(3) Receive and keep a record of all evidence presented by theperson.
(4) After considering the evidence presented at the hearing,rescind or affirm the order revoking the license or permit.
(d) Every court having jurisdiction of an offense committed inviolation of an Indiana law for the protection of wildlife may, at thecourt's discretion, revoke the license of the offender for any of thefollowing periods:
(1) Thirty (30) days.
(2) Sixty (60) days.
(3) Ninety (90) days.
(4) One (1) year.
(e) After a revocation, the court shall forward to the division arecord of the conviction of the person in the court for a violation ofthe law. At the time of the conviction, the court shall do thefollowing:
(1) Obtain the license certificate of the defendant. (2) Return the license certificate to the division.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15. Amended by P.L.23-1999, SEC.1;P.L.14-2000, SEC.39.
IC 14-22-11-16
Interstate agreements regarding boundary waters and Ohio River
Sec. 16. (a) If a state bordering Indiana permits the holder of anIndiana resident fishing license to fish in the bordering state's part ofpublic waters forming a common boundary line between thebordering state and Indiana without obtaining a nonresident fishinglicense issued by the bordering state, the director may enter into aninterstate agreement on behalf of Indiana with the bordering state topermit the holder of an equivalent resident fishing license of thebordering state to fish in the Indiana part of the waters withoutobtaining an Indiana nonresident fishing license.
(b) The director may, on behalf of Indiana, enter into a reciprocalagreement with Kentucky that recognizes a hunting or trappinglicense issued by either state as valid on the other state's part of themain stem of the Ohio River.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15.
IC 14-22-11-17
Violations
Sec. 17. A person who violates section 6, 7, or 8 of this chaptercommits a Class C infraction.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15.
IC 14-22-11-18
Free hunting days
Sec. 18. (a) The director may designate not more than four (4)days each year as free hunting days for youth hunters.
(b) During a free hunting day for youth hunters designated undersubsection (a), a resident who is less than eighteen (18) years of agemay:
(1) hunt using hunting methods that are designated by thedirector and that are legal for that hunting season; and
(2) exercise the same privileges that a resident is entitled tounder IC 14-22-12-1(24).
A youth hunter is not required to pay a fee or possess a huntinglicense.
(c) A youth hunter who hunts during a free hunting day for youthhunters under this section must:
(1) comply with the conditions and rules adopted by thedirector; and
(2) be accompanied by an individual who:
(A) is at least eighteen (18) years of age; and
(B) holds a valid hunting license under IC 14-22-12 or is notrequired to have a hunting license under this chapter.
(d) The individual under subsection (c)(2) who accompanies theyouth hunter: (1) must be in close enough proximity to monitor the youthhunter's activities and communicate with the youth hunter at alltimes; and
(2) may assist the youth hunter, including calling, but may notcarry a firearm or bow and arrow.
As added by P.L.132-2006, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.18-2009, SEC.3.