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Last updated on Thursday, October 1, 2015
(HOOSIER FOREST) - Deer season opens today in Indiana and many hunters will take to the woods.
Forest officials want you to have a successful and safe hunt and be aware of the rules while visiting the Hoosier National Forest.
District Ranger Chris Zimmer reminds the public, "The Hoosier belongs to everyone and hunters are welcome to hunt on Forest land, with limited exceptions." He explains designated recreation areas such as Hardin Ridge or Tipsaw, and Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest south of Paoli are closed to hunting.
Zimmer also wants to remind hunters to leave their ATVs and UTVs at home. Hunters are welcome to park vehicles at Forest trailheads or dispersed camping areas and walk to their hunting areas. Any deer that are shot must be carried out to the road, but ATV/UTVs are not an authorized use on the Hoosier.
"Please remember that carts are not allowed within the Charles C. Deam Wilderness area," advised Zimmer.
He asks too, that hunters be careful not to block roads, and that they get their vehicles safely off the road.
Forest Service regulations specifically prohibit discharging a firearm (including a bow and arrow) across any parking area, trail, body of water, or road; or within 150 yards of a developed recreation site, residence, or any place where people are likely to be.
Zimmer recommends hunters obtain a detailed area map either online or at one of the Forest offices, and use caution to ensure they don't inadvertently stray from public to private land. Private land is interspersed with public land. You must obtain permission from the private landowner to hunt on their property.
"If a hunter uses a tree stand on the Forest, it needs to be legibly marked with the owner's name and contact information, and the stand should be removed by January 10, 2016," said Zimmer. He also reminded hunters that only portable stands are allowed on national forest lands with fasteners that penetrate no more than ½ inch.
For more information on hunting in the Hoosier National Forest contact the Bedford office at (812) 275-5987 or the Tell City office at (812) 547-7051.
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