Section 14-22-11-18 - Free hunting days(a) As used in this section, "catastrophically disabled" has the meaning set forth in 38 CFR 17.36(e) as in effect January 1, 2023.(b) The director may designate not more than four (4) days each year as free hunting days for youth hunters and catastrophically disabled veterans.(c) During a free hunting day for youth hunters and catastrophically disabled veterans designated under subsection (b), a resident who is less than eighteen (18) years of age or a resident who is a catastrophically disabled veteran may:(1) hunt using hunting methods that are designated by the director and that are legal for that hunting season; and(2) exercise the same privileges that a resident is entitled to under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(24) for a youth hunter or IC 14-22-12-1(a) for a catastrophically disabled veteran. A youth hunter or a catastrophically disabled veteran is not required to pay a fee or possess a hunting license.
(d) A youth hunter who hunts during a free hunting day under this section must:(1) comply with the conditions and rules adopted by the director; and(2) be accompanied by an individual who: (A) is at least eighteen (18) years of age; and(B) holds a valid hunting license under IC 14-22-12 or is not required to have a hunting license under this chapter.(e) The individual under subsection (d)(2) who accompanies the youth hunter:(1) must be in close enough proximity to monitor the youth hunter's activities and communicate with the youth hunter at all times; and(2) may assist the youth hunter, including calling, but may not carry a firearm or bow and arrow.(f) A catastrophically disabled veteran who hunts during a free hunting day under this section must: (1) comply with the conditions and rules adopted by the director; and(2) be accompanied by an individual who is at least eighteen (18) years of age.(g) The individual under subsection (f)(2) who accompanies a catastrophically disabled veteran: (1) is not required to hold a valid hunting license under IC 14-22-12 or to have a hunting license under this chapter;(2) must be in close enough proximity to monitor the catastrophically disabled veteran's activities and communicate with the catastrophically disabled veteran at all times; and(3) may assist the catastrophically disabled veteran, including calling, but may not carry a firearm or bow and arrow.Amended by P.L. 9-2024,SEC. 354, eff. 7/1/2024.Amended by P.L. 12-2024,SEC. 2, eff. 7/1/2024.As added by P.L. 132-2006, SEC.3. Amended by P.L. 18-2009, SEC.3.