INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana’s wildlife agency says it will allow deer hunters to use rifles on state or federal property despite a legislative error that banned the use of such weapons.
The Department of Natural Resources says an emergency state rule will allow rifles during the firearms deer-hunting season that begins Nov. 18.
Rifle use was called into question because of a mistake in a bill approved by the General Assembly this year. Bill sponsor Republican Rep. Sean Eberhart of Shelbyville says it was meant to clarify rules regarding the use of high-velocity ammunition on private property.
Eberhart says he hopes to fix the law when the Legislature reconvenes in January. The DNR’s emergency rule expires Feb. 1.
READER: Indiana hunting bill snafu means you can’t hunt with rifles on public land