Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Conservation Officers

The Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division is commissioned with the responsibility of protecting the natural resources of Indiana. These resources are widely varied, and as a result, so are the duties of the Indiana Conservation Officer (ICO).

You will find officers patrolling the woods and waters of the state day and night, in all types of weather and all through the year. Patrolling, hunting, fishing and boating are only part of the job of the Indiana conservation officer. These officers will also be found protecting timber, ginseng, fur, endangered and threatened species, native and historical sites, and enforcing regulations on DNR properties.

In addition to patrolling, the conservation officer also investigates drownings, firearm injuries, watercraft accidents on the lakes and rivers, fish and wildlife kills from pollution, timber theft, as well as traffic and criminal investigations on state properties.

The job doesn’t stop with just enforcing the law. Educating and protecting the people that use natural resources is a major part of the conservation officer’s role. Outdoor education courses administered by conservation officers include hunting, boating, snowmobiling and trapper safety. Scouts, churches, and adult service organizations are just a few of the groups that conservation officers may speak to about topics as varied as tree identification and building wood duck boxes.

In times of natural disasters, conservation officers are called on to assist in relief efforts because of their unique training, experience, and equipment that allows them to get off the road and to where assistance is needed. Floods, tornadoes, and ice and snow storms are a few of the situations in which you will find conservation officers on the job.

Conservation officers work closely with other law enforcement agencies in their assigned areas. Since 1971 the ICO has been given full police power in Indiana, and officers are found assisting with drug investigations, serving search and arrest warrants, and helping with domestic violence calls.

No matter what the challenge, Indiana conservation officers are dedicated and equipped to meet it. They proudly protect the natural resources of Indiana and the people enjoying them.

DNR Law Enforcement Offices

Indiana Game Laws

Shown here are a few of Indiana game laws. Fully familiarize yourself with all the regulations before you go hunting at http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/.

Spotlighting—It is illegal to spotlight any wild animal from a vehicle while possessing any firearm, bow or crossbow.

Laser Sights—Laser sights are legal for all hunting.

Wanton Waste—It is illegal to kill or cripple any wild animal without making a reasonable effort to retrieve the animal to include in your daily bag limit. It is illegal, however, to enter private property without permission to retrieve downed game. Before you hunt, make sure you have permission to track game on land adjoining your hunting area.

Selling of Wild Game—Protected or regulated wild animals (live, dead or the meat therefrom) cannot be sold, traded or bartered. (Exceptions: lawfully taken furbearers, squirrel tails, deer hides, antlers and hooves may be sold.)

DNR Property Rules— Regulations may vary when hunting and trapping on some state properties. Please check with the property manager for up-to-date regulations before hunting or trapping on state areas.

Indiana Firearms Regulations—No license is required to possess a rifle, shotgun or muzzleloading firearm (including muzzleloading handguns). You must have a permit to carry and/or hunt with a handgun. Landowners may hunt on their own property without a handgun permit.

You may apply for a handgun permit at your local county sheriff’s office. You must be at least 18 years old to obtain a handgun permit. Nonresidents using a handgun must have a permit issued by their home state. If their home state does not issue handgun permits, then they may not hunt with a handgun in Indiana.

Shooting Across Roads or Water—It is illegal to hunt, shoot at or kill any animal or to shoot at any object from within, into, upon or across any public road. It is illegal to shoot across a body of water except in the lawful pursuit of wildlife.

Silencers—It is illegal to have a silencer in your possession while hunting.

Magazine Plugs—When hunting for migratory game birds and waterfowl (dove, ducks, geese, woodcock, etc.) it is illegal to use a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells, unless it is plugged with a one-piece filler which is incapable of removal without disassembling the gun. There are no restrictions on magazine capacity for hunting of any other species.

Fluorescent Orange Requirements— To meet fluorescent orange (or “hunter orange”) clothing requirements, you must wear as an outer garment exposed at all times one or more of the following articles that are solid fluorescent orange in color: a vest, coat, jacket, coveralls, hat or cap. Camouflage-patterned fluorescent orange garments do not satisfy the requirement.

You must wear fluorescent orange if you are hunting:

• Deer
• Pheasant
• Quail
• Rabbit
• Ruffed grouse
• Squirrel (Nov. 7-Dec. 31)

Hunter Harassment Law—Legal hunting is protected by law. Indiana Code states that it is illegal to intentionally interfere with the legal taking of a game animal by another person. It is also illegal to intentionally disturb a game animal with intent to prevent or hinder the legal taking of that game. Further, it is unlawful to enter public land or private land without permission of the owner with the intent to prevent or hinder the legal taking of game.

Turn In Poachers (TIP)

Someone's stealing Indiana's wildlife. Cash rewards for informaton on poachers!

Estimates indicate that poachers kill as much fish and game as legitimate hunters and fishermen. In addition, the wildlife law violator does not confine his killing to game species. Non-game, endangered and threatened wildlife may also be taken.

There is a joint effort of sportsmen and women, private citizens, and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to eliminate the illegal taking of wildlife. This program is known as the TIP program.

A reward is given for information leading to the arrest of a wildlife violator. For big game and endangered species a minimum of $200 is offered; a $100 minimum for other cases.

Become a deterrent to poaching by calling our toll-free number to report violations.

To report a violation or violator, call 1-800-847-4367 (1-800-TIP-IDNR).

Learn just about everything you want to know about what is going on outdoors in Indiana!

Visit the Indiana Department of Natural Resources website and:

• Stay current on all hunting and fishing laws and regulations
• Purchase hunting and fishing licenses online
• Get answers to questions about hunting seasons, species, quotas, public lands, and more
• Find out about state parks locations and fees and available activities: camping, fishing, hiking, boating
• Learn about informative DNR publications