HB1231 passes in house- (Centerfire rifles for deer hunting)

[Lammchop93]

Just in time for tax returns!

Now I just need to decide between .308 and 30-30...

 

[M4Madness]

Its only March. Firearms season isn't until mid-November. There is plenty time to clarify things, which obviously still need to be done. Lot of ambiguity in what's legal, sucks for whoever has to enforce these things.

Don't forget that the hunting regulations book is released the first week of July each year. This issue has to be addressed before printing can begin.

 

[AGarbers]

Just in time for tax returns!

Now I just need to decide between .308 and 30-30...

Unless you lust for the flavor of the Old West, the .308 Winchester is a better choice. I used to have a 30-30, and while the bullet choices have improved in the past 30 years, you are extremely limited in choice of bullet types and weights. I bought mine on a lark for deer hunting, and then started seeing what its limitations are, and how a tube magazine can cause issues. IMHO you will be much happier with the .308.

 

[Expatriated]

The ten round limit is meant to be applied to the hunting round, I am sure. But is the language in the bill clear enough? Could it be interpreted that you can't have more than 10 rounds of ANYTHING in your possession? Like if you have a Glock 19 on your hip, you can be charged?

Like, you can have a case of shotgun shells if you hunting with an 870, but you can only have 10 rounds if you've got a .308?

 

[Hookeye]

They make .30-30's that don't run a tube mag.
Ruger #1 would be a great choice.
Sure somebody will drag out a Savage 340, or Rem 788
Plus Contender/Encore rifles and who knows what else.

 

[JeremiahJohnson]

Response from the DNR:

House Bill 1231 was passed by the Indiana General Assembly this year and signed by the Governor. It was initiated by a state legislator and not the DNR. It allows the following high-powered rifles on private land only statewide, with a limit of no more than 10 cartridges (possessed in the field): .243, .30-30, .300, .30-06, and .308. All the cartridges presently legal are still legal on public and private land. All of these need to have a minimum case length of 1.16" and no full metal jacketed bullets can be used. These additional new cartridges are for private land only and all of the " in between" cartridges (270,etc) are not legal anywhere. We will have information in this year's DNR Hunting/Trapping Regulation guide, which will be available in late July. The bill language can be found on-line at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2016/bills/house/1231

Michelle Cain,
Wildlife Information Specialist
Certified Fisheries Biologist
Indiana Division of Fish & Wildlife
402 W. Washington St. Room W273
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317)234-8240
mcain@dnr.in.gov

Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on twitter: @INfishwildlife
See our videos on YouTube: idnrvideos

"...possessed in the field..." - this is not a magazine restriction. Don't leave the truck/car or house with more than 10 rounds on you.

 

[Varmint Killer]

Don't think so. Looks like VK's conversation with DNR and follow up contact info. Certainly not an official post from DNR

You are correct I contacted the DNR for some clarification on the new bill. the response I got is what was posted. from talking to our local CO the DNR is against this new bill they would like to see more clarification on this. He also told me to remember that this is only a bill and is a temporary test on the use of high power rifles.

 

[DarkRose]

"...possessed in the field..." - this is not a magazine restriction. Don't leave the truck/car or house with more than 10 rounds on you.

I see this as causing a problem with those of us that carry handguns in our packs or on our person for personal protection/non-game varmints... Since they began allowing that, I always have my 9mm with me in my pack at least, there's 11 rounds right there... (single stack).
Our property has had coyote and feral dog problems in the past...

 

[avboiler11]

9mm handguns don't meet the legal requirements of the 5 approved HPR chamberings included in HR1231...

 

[DWS]

I see this as causing a problem with those of us that carry handguns in our packs or on our person for personal protection/non-game varmints... Since they began allowing that, I always have my 9mm with me in my pack at least, there's 11 rounds right there... (single stack).
Our property has had coyote and feral dog problems in the past...

9mm handguns don't meet the legal requirements of the 5 approved HPR chamberings included in HR1231...

Hence its not a problem as you are not hunting with it. The cartridge limit only pertains to that firearm in which you are hunting with.

 

[openwell]

You are correct I contacted the DNR from talking to our local CO the DNR is against this new bill they would like to see more clarification on this. He also told me to remember that this is only a bill and is a temporary test on the use of high power rifles.

HR1231 is Indiana Code; Indiana Law; and not just a "bill". The DNR last May reversed its favorable position of support for deer hunting with rifles because of "lack of public support" and opposition from the Indiana Deer Hunters Assn. HR1231 was narrowly passed out of the Senate 26 to 24 and was signed by Mike Pence. It is effective immediately, no wait until fiscal year July 1, 2016 and the a TEST for 5 years, requiring the DNR to report back to Legislature and Gov. in Feb. 2020. Intent of this bill is improve economic and sporting opportunities for Hoosiers. I hope everyone enjoys this new and exciting opportunity to hunt with centerfire rifles and 10mm handguns. good hunting and enjoy it.

 

[avboiler11]

HR1231 is Indiana Code; Indiana Law; and not just a "bill". The DNR last May reversed its favorable position of support for deer hunting with rifles because of "lack of public support" and opposition from the Indiana Deer Hunters Assn. HR1231 was narrowly passed out of the Senate 26 to 24 and was signed by Mike Pence. It is effective immediately, no wait until fiscal year July 1, 2016 and the a TEST for 5 years, requiring the DNR to report back to Legislature and Gov. in Feb. 2020. Intent of this bill is improve economic and sporting opportunities for Hoosiers. I hope everyone enjoys this new and exciting opportunity to hunt with centerfire rifles and 10mm handguns. good hunting and enjoy it.

The bill ultimately signed by the Governor came out of Conference Committee and was passed by the Senate 38-12.

 

[openwell]

The bill ultimately signed by the Governor came out of Conference Committee and was passed by the Senate 38-12.

Thanks for updating us. Looks like they left a "matzah ball" sized whole when they listed the cartridges without their complete names? like 30-30 Win.; 30-06 Springfield; 308 Win. .243 Win. ; and I'm not even going to attempt the .300. listing?? thanks for the apparent lack of knowledge of cartridge nomenclature to some one.

 

[avboiler11]

Best case scenario for the sportsman would be no technical correction of HR1231; that would allow the (purposefully, IMO) open-ended chambering limits to be as open as possible within the stoopid chambering limits in the first place.

Sure would be nice to have all chamberings starting with "300" to be permitted; no reason whatsoever to permit 300 Win Mag but to exclude 300 AAC Blackout. Then again, this is the same piece of legislation that permits the 243 Winchester (and ostenably, WSSM) but excludes 6mm Remington/BR/Dasher/XC/Creedmoor/etc.

And no, despite people saying otherwise, specifically denoting 30-30, 308, 30-06 and 300 does not include 7.62x39 or 7.62x54R. I'm not a fan of the limits as written by legislators, but seeing as how they are a very important step toward further liberalization of permitted firearms for whitetail, PLEASE color within the lines of the law people...

 

[openwell]

One of the most exciting sections of HR1231 doesn't even involve rifles for deer hunting but handguns! It created a NEW SEC. I.C.14-22-2.9 Sec. 9.(b) in part states Deer hunters can use a handgun that fires a commercially available 10mm bullet! and Sec. 9.(d) Requiring the Director to comply by amending necessary rules. So I can use my Glock 20 in 10mm to hunt deer this Fall! And there is a large selection of good hunting bullets available for the 10mm Auto. One sticking point though is like the rifle cartridges somewhat, the used "bullet" of 10mm which of course is the same size used in my .40 S&W and Glock 22! So, at this date looks like the law forced the Director of the DNR to amend all rules to allow handgun that fires 10mm bullets! Really good selection of weapons to hunt deer in Indiana this Fall! good hunting and enjoy the new sporting opportunities!

 

[oldpink]

I see this as causing a problem with those of us that carry handguns in our packs or on our person for personal protection/non-game varmints... Since they began allowing that, I always have my 9mm with me in my pack at least, there's 11 rounds right there... (single stack).
Our property has had coyote and feral dog problems in the past...

Don't worry, as the maximum allowed cartridges carried on your person applies exclusively to those carrying one of the newly allowed high powered rifles.
The ammo restrictions in no way apply to those carrying shotguns, handguns, or even rifles chambered in handgun calibers.
If you are carrying one of the above three guns, you can carry around 1K rounds while deer hunting if you really want to lug that much around with you.
In fact, you could even carry two or more different guns, one of which could be a high power rifle, and you could carry all the ammo for every other gun that you have on your person, as long as you have no more than ten for the high power rifle.
Remember, this law change is in no way a subtractive modification of hunting laws, but one that only expands allowable firearms.
Keep in mind that this same law also legalizes all guns firing "10mm bullets," which presumably includes everything from .40 S&W, to 10mm Auto.
10mm Magnum already meets the current 1.16" minimum case length requirement.
I'll now be able to carry and use my S&W 1006 10mm Auto for deer.
Yay!

 

[Paul30]

Don't worry, as the maximum allowed cartridges carried on your person applies exclusively to those carrying one of the newly allowed high powered rifles.
The ammo restrictions in no way apply to those carrying shotguns, handguns, or even rifles chambered in handgun calibers.
If you are carrying one of the above three guns, you can carry around 1K rounds while deer hunting if you really want to lug that much around with you.
In fact, you could even carry two or more different guns, one of which could be a high power rifle, and you could carry all the ammo for every other gun that you have on your person, as long as you have no more than ten for the high power rifle.
Remember, this law change is in no way a subtractive modification of hunting laws, but one that only expands allowable firearms.
Keep in mind that this same law also legalizes all guns firing "10mm bullets," which presumably includes everything from .40 S&W, to 10mm Auto.
10mm Magnum already meets the current 1.16" minimum case length requirement.
I'll now be able to carry and use my S&W 1006 10mm Auto for deer.
Yay!

It was probably necessary to continue to allow shotgun hunters to carry unlimited ammo. A normal rifle the rest of the country uses will drop a deer dead in his tracks in a single shot, the other 9 rounds are really not necessary due to the added accuracy and standard ballistics. As I understand, this only applies to what you carry "in the field". You can have thousands of rounds in the car you drive there. If you run out, go back and get another magazine.

 

[whiteoak]

Legislature will have to "Clean Up" the language of the law concerning specific cartridges. The DNR is a law enforcement branch and can't change the law. I am assuming that the House will do so. But if the Legislature does not do anything, the CO's can't change the language. to mean only 300win mag. Only a Court can interpret the meaning of a law. DRR has no right to re-wright even a mistake in language of a law.

.243 can mean; 243wssm or .243win, 30-06 can mean: 30-06springfield or 30-06JDJ or 30-06Ackley Improved, 30-30 can mean: 30-30win 30-30Ackley Improved and 308 can mean: 308win 308 Marlin Express 308 Norma Mag. .300 can mea:; 300savage 300H&H 300Weatherby 300WSM 300REM Ultra Mag.

The whole bill is a big mess! I don't understand why limit to just 5 rounds or as it has been said before is this just a way to include all rounds with the root of the name in the first digits of the cartridge name? to slip in a few extra rounds? Seems more plausible in some ways. But even if the hunting guide says 300win mag, the law does not, and the letter of the law is the law of the land not the hunting guide.

 

[oldpink]

Legislature will have to "Clean Up" the language of the law concerning specific cartridges. The DNR is a law enforcement branch and can't change the law. I am assuming that the House will do so. But if the Legislature does not do anything, the CO's can't change the language. to mean only 300win mag. Only a Court can interpret the meaning of a law. DRR has no right to re-wright even a mistake in language of a law.

.243 can mean; 243wssm or .243win, 30-06 can mean: 30-06springfield or 30-06JDJ or 30-06Ackley Improved, 30-30 can mean: 30-30win 30-30Ackley Improved and 308 can mean: 308win 308 Marlin Express 308 Norma Mag. .300 can mea:; 300savage 300H&H 300Weatherby 300WSM 300REM Ultra Mag.

The whole bill is a big mess! I don't understand why limit to just 5 rounds or as it has been said before is this just a way to include all rounds with the root of the name in the first digits of the cartridge name? to slip in a few extra rounds? Seems more plausible in some ways. But even if the hunting guide says 300win mag, the law does not, and the letter of the law is the law of the land not the hunting guide.

The rest of your post is well taken, but you need to be corrected on allowable number of cartridges.
You are limited to ten rounds on your person, not five.
That also imposes no magazine capacity, only the number of rounds on your person.

 

[whiteoak]

The rest of your post is well taken, but you need to be corrected on allowable number of cartridges.
You are limited to ten rounds on your person, not five.
That also imposes no magazine capacity, only the number of rounds on your person.

I was talking about the 5 rounds (cartridges) that are allowed to be used, 243, 30-30, 308, 30-06 and 300.