§ 14-22-2-8 — Deer hunting; permitted firearms

(a) This section applies to a hunting season
beginning after June 30, 2025.
(b) A hunter may use a rifle to hunt deer on privately owned land or
on public property subject to the following:
(1) The use of a rifle is permitted during hunting seasons
established by the department.
(2) The rifle must be chambered for a centerfire rifle cartridge
that fires a bullet that is at least five and fifty-six hundredths
(5.56) of a millimeter in diameter or larger.
(3) A hunter may not possess more than ten (10) cartridges for the
rifle while hunting deer under this section.
(4) Except as provided in subsection (d), the rifle must meet any
other requirements established by the department.
(c) The use of a full metal jacketed bullet to hunt deer is unlawful.
(d) The department may not adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 that
include centerfire rifle case length limitations for subsection (b).
(e) The department may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to authorize the
use of rifles on public property.

Legislative History

As added by P.L.110-2016, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.195-2017, SEC.7; P.L.39-2018, SEC.6; P.L.164-2020, SEC.53; P.L.76-2025, SEC.1.