Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2016 6:08:14 GMT -5
Rabbit
Cottontail rabbit season is from Nov. 1, 2016 to Feb. 28, 2017.
Hunting hours for rabbits in February on FWAs and at Mississinewa, Patoka and Salamonie reservoirs are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour before sunset.
There are no equipment or ammunition restrictions for rabbit hunting. A 12- or 20-gauge shotgun loaded with 6- to 7 1/2-size shot is recommended.
It is illegal to remove a rabbit from a hole, den or tree hollow with the aid of a ferret or other small animal or other means. Hunter orange clothing requirements must be met while hunting rabbits.
It is illegal to hunt, take or possess swamp rabbits, which are an endangered species in Indiana.
Rabbits can be chased with a dog year-round with a hunting license. Certain restrictions apply on DNR-managed properties.
Squirrel
Gray and fox squirrel season is from Aug. 15, 2016 to Jan. 31, 2017.
Hunter orange clothing requirements must be met while hunting squirrels from Nov. 1, 2016 to Jan. 31, 2017.
There are no equipment or ammunition restrictions for squirrel hunting. A 20-gauge or smaller shotgun loaded with 6- to 7 1/2-size shot or a .22-caliber rimfire rifle is recommended.
Shooting into or disturbing leaf nests or squirrel dens is illegal at all times.
It is illegal to hunt flying squirrels, which are a protected species in Indiana. They cannot be possessed without a special permit.
Gray and fox squirrels can be chased with dogs year-round with a hunting license. Certain restrictions apply on DNR-managed properties.
Reptile/Amphibian
All reptiles and amphibians native to Indiana are regulated species.
Species of frogs, lizards, salamanders, snakes, toads, or turtles on the state- or federal-endangered species list may not be taken at any time. Box turtles are protected and cannot be collected from the wild at any time.
Eastern snapping, smooth softshell, and spiny softshell turtles can be taken only between July 1 and March 31 of the following year and must be at least 12 inches in carapace length.
Carapace length is the straight-line measure along the top surface of the shell from the central point of the front edge directly behind the turtle’s neck to a central point on the back edge directly above the turtle’s tail.
A license is required to take a reptile or amphibian from the wild (see table at right).
Indiana residents older than 17 must possess a valid hunting or fishing license while collecting species of reptiles and amphibians from the wild. All nonresident adults and nonresident youth must possess a nonresident annual hunting license while collecting reptiles and amphibians from the wild.
License holders must obey season dates and bag limits, and use legal methods. An individual with a valid hunting or fishing license may take game frog and turtle species from a DNR property where hunting or fishing is authorized. Air rifles and firearms cannot be used at state parks.
Other species of reptiles and amphibians may not be taken from any DNR property (see wildlife.IN.gov/3328.htm).
The daily bag limit is 25 for game frog species and four for game turtle species. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.
The Eastern box turtle is protected and may not be collected from the wild.
Reptiles and amphibians collected from the wild in Indiana may not be sold. Only legally collected amphibians or reptiles held for fewer than 30 days may be released at their original capture site if they have never been housed with another animal.