312 IAC 9-3-16 Cottontail rabbits

Sec. 16. (a) An individual may take eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) from November 1 through February 28 of the following year. (b) An individual may take not more than five (5) eastern cottontail rabbits per day. (c) An individual must not do the following: (1) Hunt rabbits unless that person wears hunter orange. (2) Remove, dislodge, or attempt to remove or dislodge a rabbit from a hole, den, cavity, or tree hollow with the aid of any of the following: (A) A ferret or other small animal. (B) A mechanical device. (C) A chemical. (D) Smoke. (E) Fire. (F) A fume. (3) Hunt rabbits during the month of February on a department fish and wildlife area, Salamonie Lake, Mississinewa Lake, or Patoka Lake except from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to one-half (1/2) hour before sunset. (d) A person must not possess a live eastern cottontail rabbit outside the season established in subsection (a) except with one (1) of the following: (1) A game breeder license under 312 IAC 9-10-4. (2) A wild animal possession permit under 312 IAC 9-11. (3) A wild animal rehabilitation permit under 312 IAC 9-10-9. (4) A scientific purposes license under 312 IAC 9-10-6. (5) A nuisance wild animal control permit under 312 IAC 9-10-11. (6) An educational or scientific institution registered or licensed with the United States Department of Agriculture in accordance with 9 CFR, Chapter 1, Subchapter A, Parts I through IV. (7) A breeder or dealer license issued by the United States Department of Agriculture under 9 CFR, Chapter 1, Subchapter A, Parts I through IV. (e) An individual who lawfully takes a rabbit may give to another individual one (1) or more carcasses of a rabbit, with no compensation of any kind. A rabbit that is gifted must have a tag attached that contains the following information: (1) The hunter's name and address. (2) The total number of rabbits taken. (3) The date the rabbit was taken. (4) The signature of the hunter who took the rabbit. (f) A carcass of an eastern cottontail rabbit may be possessed by the following: (1) The individual who lawfully took the eastern cottontail rabbit during the season established in subsection (a). (2) An individual who received the carcass under subsection (e). (3) An individual with a valid taxidermy license under IC 14-22-21 and 312 IAC 9-10-5. (4) An individual with a valid scientific purposes license under 312 IAC 9-10-6. (5) An individual with a valid nuisance wild animal control permit under 312 IAC 9-10-11. (6) An individual with a valid special purpose salvage permit under 312 IAC 9-10-13.5. (g) A person must not sell a live eastern cottontail rabbit except under a valid game breeder license under IC 14-22-20 and 312 IAC 9-10-4.