Its official now.
The Indiana Natural Resources Commission has approved an indefinite extension to the one-buck rule for deer hunting.
The decision removes the expiration date on a 10-year-old regulation that limits a hunter to taking no more than one antlered deer during the regular archery, firearms and muzzleloader hunting seasons.
Its been immensely popular with deer hunters and a factor that many believe has resulted in bigger and more trophy bucks being taken the past few years.
The DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife says that limiting deer hunters to only one buck per year is not needed biologically, but that it is something the hunters wanted and doesnt hurt the herd.
The Commission also gave preliminary approval to amendments that include clarifying requirements for chasing wild animals with dogs during the hunting season, removing restrictions and handgun license requirements when chasing raccoons, adding the late season for taking lesser snow geese and Rosss geese, adding the use of bowfishing equipment and crossbows for taking Asian carp and other specified fish on rivers and streams, and removing application deadlines and other changes to the special disability permit for hunters.