Licence to hunt?

[whatscooking]

Do i need to have a licence to go with a friend that has been trying to get me to go with him bird hunting, i really just want to see the dogs work and to give it a try, wont take a gun.

 

[singlestacksig]

Do i need to have a licence to go with a friend that has been trying to get me to go with him bird hunting, i really just want to see the dogs work and to give it a try, wont take a gun.

yes.

 

[wolfman]

Do i need to have a licence to go with a friend that has been trying to get me to go with him bird hunting, i really just want to see the dogs work and to give it a try, wont take a gun.

Nope *** no gun, you are not hunting. One word of advise, if he shoots anything, he has to carry it, to carry it, is to have it in your possession, and requires a license with the appropriate stamps.

 

[1911Shooter]

I am also going to say YES. Even if you dont have a gun, a DNR officer will most likely give you a ticket. Trust me, I have been there and done that. A good friend of mine went rabbit hunting with me about 2 years ago and got a ticket for hunting without a license. He didnt have a gun, a shotgun shell, or a rabbit on him. He still got a ticket.

 

[scott delaney]

if your out with some one hunting then you too are hunting(shaking the bush)too and YES you do need a licence

 

[Mike H]

If you are assisting in the taking of game then you need a license.
If you are not assisting in any way....just an observer then you are good to go.
Don't handle the dog, don't retreive, don't shake the bush, etc.

 

[Willie]

What Mike said...now you might run into an over zealous CO and he might write you up anyway as "participating in the hunt".

Buy a license..Indiana needs the money.

 

[philagothon]

I had a similar-ish experience recently. My father-in-law came to visit for Thanksgiving and we went hunting on Black Friday. We got him a temporary out of state hunting license so he could squirrel hunt. I took my muzzleloader so I could hunt deer until midday, then switched to squirrel. I called DNR to make sure it would be kosher. They told me as long as he didn't touch the muzzleloader, we'd be fine. I made sure to write down the person's name that I spoke with and double clarified my situation and question. I would have fought any ticket we might have received.

In your situation, it would be best to have at least a general hunting license. It might save you some grief. But honestly, it's only $17 for the general license and another $6.75 for the bird stamp. How much more fun can you have for less than $25?

By the way, anyone know the best way to see tons of squirrels? Go deer hunting. Wanna know how to see hundreds of woodpeckers, blue jays, and cardinals? Go squirrel hunting. We walked out of the woods after 10 hours with as much ammunition as we walked in with.

 

[42769vette]

im pretty sure if you dont have a gun your just going for a walk in the woods.

 

[Willie]

I had a similar-ish experience recently. My father-in-law came to visit for Thanksgiving and we went hunting on Black Friday. We got him a temporary out of state hunting license so he could squirrel hunt. I took my muzzleloader so I could hunt deer until midday, then switched to squirrel. I called DNR to make sure it would be kosher. They told me as long as he didn't touch the muzzleloader, we'd be fine. I made sure to write down the person's name that I spoke with and double clarified my situation and question. I would have fought any ticket we might have received.

In your situation, it would be best to have at least a general hunting license. It might save you some grief. But honestly, it's only $17 for the general license and another $6.75 for the bird stamp. How much more fun can you have for less than $25?

By the way, anyone know the best way to see tons of squirrels? Go deer hunting. Wanna know how to see hundreds of woodpeckers, blue jays, and cardinals? Go squirrel hunting. We walked out of the woods after 10 hours with as much ammunition as we walked in with.

One can squirrel hunt with a muzzleloader...

 

[singlestacksig]

i checked with my local CO to verify this question for deer hunting.
you need a license or be exempt , under 13 & no gun - own land ...

 

[Aaronhome27]

There are really two ways to look at it and any individual CO might look at it two ways as well. I would suggest getting the proper license as insurance. If you should happen to spook a bird while just walking with a hunter you are considered a hunter. It is stated on the IN DNR sight that if you are helping a hunter take game you must have a license. The reference is to deer hunting and "pushing" deer but I think it would stand for birds as well as in hind-sight you are "pushing" birds the whole time you are hunting. It really is a grey area and I feel it should be amended to allow others to see hunting. I really feel it is a crap shoot as a CO really could look at it in either way and with the wrong CO he could easily say you were there to help take game. I suggest buying the required licence and maybe get involved in the hunt after a little range time. Who knows, you may want to go back out with your buddy anyway and give it a go after watching it. Either route you go, enjoy it and be safe!!!

 

[Titanium Man]

I think of ALL the laws they don't post prominently, this is one that really needs clarification.

My wife loves to go coyote hunting with me, so I've heard if she's sitting with me, and we're calling, she's gotta have a license. We do get her a license.

Usually, she hunts shotgun, but after shotgun season, she's happy hunting with a camera during muzzleloader, sitting in her condo drinking coffee by the heater waiting to click a deer come through. Does she need a license?

What if she just goes out and waits for me in the truck, no gun, just her coffee and maybe my lab mix to keep her company?

I'm taking from what I've read in previous threads, these knuckleheads can take it upon themselves to decide if they're going to give her a ticket or not, depending on their mood.

Sounds like once I do find the official clarification, I'll copy it, laminate it, and carry copies on myself, my truck and in my safe.

 

[Willie]

I think of ALL the laws they don't post prominently, this is one that really needs clarification.

Just IMHO...

Yes, and the "baiting" law is another.

My wife loves to go coyote hunting with me, so I've heard if she's sitting with me, and we're calling, she's gotta have a license. We do get her a license.

You stated that "we're calling, she would need a license. They could also say that she is a spotter too.

Usually, she hunts shotgun, but after shotgun season, she's happy hunting with a camera during muzzleloader, sitting in her condo drinking coffee by the heater waiting to click a deer come through. Does she need a license?

If she is by herself and does not have a gun (except a carry permit handgun) she should not need a license for wildlife photograpy.

What if she just goes out and waits for me in the truck, no gun, just her coffee and maybe my lab mix to keep her company?

No license needed.

I'm taking from what I've read in previous threads, these knuckleheads can take it upon themselves to decide if they're going to give her a ticket or not, depending on their mood.

Yes, they are granted a LOT of leeway

Sounds like once I do find the official clarification, I'll copy it, laminate it, and carry copies on myself, my truck and in my safe.

If you find it please post it for all of us

Thanks

...........

 

[disengaged]

I love bird hunting. I think you should purchase a license and take a gun with you. If you are like me - you'll be hooked after the first day.

My wife likes to go just to watch the dogs work - we always purchase her hunting license and game bird stamp.

I hope that you enjoy it!

 

[Titanium Man]

Willie-Thanks for the concise answers, and once I find the laws, I'll be happy to post a link.

Disengaged-We were just adopted by a (2year old??) Lab/Aussy Shepard Mix who isn't gun shy and loves the scent on a trail, so we'll be spending a bit more time in the fields hunting birds now. Thanks for the push to get out and do it!!

 

[Mgderf]

One can squirrel hunt with a muzzleloader...

In Indiana, it's legal to hunt squirrel with "any legally possessed firearm".
You can hunt squirrel with a 30 06, or even a .50BMG if you choose to.

 

[Willie]

In Indiana, it's legal to hunt squirrel with "any legally possessed firearm".
You can hunt squirrel with a 30 06, or even a .50BMG if you choose to.

Yep.....

 

[pops66goat]

That always happens to me, I go deer hunting and I see turkeys, go squirrel hunting and see deer!