can you hunt in Indiana with handguns?

26297 Views 13 Replies 10 Participants Last post by jester1023, Mar 12, 2011

Frank McClelland

Discussion Starter · Jan 2, 2005

Hi I hunt deer with my handguns here in Michigan and out west, can I hunt in Indiana with a handgun? if so could I use lead bullets (nonexpanding) on deer? does my gun have to have a 4, 6, 8 inch barrel? thanks in advance.

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Doc Lisenby

· #2 · Jan 2, 2005

Can You Hunt Deer With A Handgun In Indiana?

Don't know about Indiana, but inane laws exists all over the Country. In at least one county in North Carolina, It is unlawful to hunt deer with any cartridge exceeding 22 caliber and it must be a centerfire round. Duh!!:banghead3
Doc

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Archer1122

· #3 · Jan 3, 2005

Yes handgun hunting is legal in Indiana. Bbl must be at least 4" and I think must be caliber .243 or larger. Case must be a certain length but I don't remember what isit is at the moment. Handgun must be exposed at all times and not certain on out of state permits. Must have a handgun permit in Indiana.

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Indiana Hunter

· #4 · Jan 3, 2005

Legal Handguns for Deer Hunting

Handguns, other than muzzleloading, must have a barrel at least four inches long and must fire a bullet of .243-inch diameter or larger. The handgun cartridge case, without the bullet, must be at least 1.16 inches long. Full metal-jacketed bullets are not permitted. A handgun may not be concealed. Handguns are not permitted on any military areas. Some types of handgun cartridges legal for deer hunting include 357 Magnum, 41 Magnum, 44 Magnum, 44 Special, 45 Colt, 45 Long Colt, 45 Winchester Magnum, 35 Remington and 357 Herrett.

Some illegal handgun cartridges for deer hunting are 38 Special, 38 Smith and Wesson, 38 Colt New Police, 38/200, 38 Long Colt, 38 Super, 38 ACP, 38 Colt Auto, 45 ACP, 45 Automatic and 45 Auto Rim. All 25/20, 32/20 and 30 carbine ammunition is prohibited also.

Muzzleloading handguns are allowed. The muzzleloading handgun must be single shot, .50 caliber or larger, loaded with bullets at least .44 caliber and have a barrel at least 12 inches long, measured from the base of the breech plug excluding tangs and other projections to the end of the barrel including the muzzle crown.

Hope this helps.

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goggleye57

· #5 · Jan 3, 2005

Good summary from Indiana Hunter. You can also hunt small game with pistols or anything else you want to. You can hunt squirrels with a 458 magnum if you want (probably not a good idea:coco: ) I know several guys that hunt squirrels with 22 handguns. You have to have a permit if not on your own property, a regular carry permit or a target permit.

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JPINNO

· #6 · Oct 24, 2010

Is it legal to hunt deer in Indiana with a .380 Beretta??

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jackc99

· #7 · Oct 24, 2010

JPINNO said:
Is it legal to hunt deer in Indiana with a .380 Beretta??

No.

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Hookeye

· #8 · Mar 11, 2011

Is somebody trying to say some of us shoot small deer?

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Hookeye

· #9 · Mar 11, 2011

BTW, the handgun must be a handgun, not a "short barrelled rifle" in legal handgun form.
According to correspondence I had with the state, they (the state) will not recognize such items, even though they exist as such in Federal form.

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jester1023

· #10 · Mar 11, 2011

Hookeye said:
BTW, the handgun must be a handgun, not a "short barrelled rifle" in legal handgun form.
According to correspondence I had with the state, they (the state) will not recognize such items, even though they exist as such in Federal form.

To add a little to this, a rifle barrel can be cut down to under 16 inches, however one must file for, and be approved for the proper liscensing for that altered gun. There are also steap fees involved, but the fees are cheaper than the fines and jail time for violating handgun laws. I'm not exactly shure of the fees and paperwork, but it's worth a look if your thinking about a DIY gun.

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fmj

· #11 · Mar 11, 2011

If you have a CCW permit you can carry concealed. If you only have a hunting permit for the pistol it must be exposed.

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Hookeye

· #12 · Mar 12, 2011

jester1023 said:
To add a little to this, a rifle barrel can be cut down to under 16 inches, however one must file for, and be approved for the proper liscensing for that altered gun. There are also steap fees involved, but the fees are cheaper than the fines and jail time for violating handgun laws. I'm not exactly shure of the fees and paperwork, but it's worth a look if your thinking about a DIY gun.

FWIW you do the paperwork and get the Fed approval and tax stamp ($200 for the tax stamp) BEFORE you mod the gun, and then it has to be identified on the gun that it is now the registered short barrelled rifle.

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Hookeye

· #13 · Mar 12, 2011

Forgot, go to a Class 3 dealer and they can explain it, have the forms.
Still think a .243 semi auto or pump handgun to be a cool coyote and or deer rig..........but the state won't allow one for the latter (based on it being a SBR).

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jester1023

· #14 · Mar 12, 2011

Hookeye said:
FWIW you do the paperwork and get the Fed approval and tax stamp ($200 for the tax stamp) BEFORE you mod the gun, and then it has to be identified on the gun that it is now the registered short barrelled rifle.

Thanks. This is the information that I heard, but didn't want to post on that alone. And yes, DO NOT modify the gun until you're permitted.
The .243 pistol would be pretty cool. Many guys are spending the dough on the Thompson Center pistol barrels and actions, but I love the NEF and H&R rifles. I wish they would break into the break action pistol market. I purchaced a Choate pistol grip for my New Englands, it's fun on the shotguns and the .30-30win.

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