INDIANA specie-specific requirements

NOTE: Any activity not specifically allowed is prohibited.

DEER

Possession/Sale:

• No provisions listed for live possession
  

Take:

• Only lists lethal methods
  

 

FURBEARING MAMMALS:

(Beaver, coyote, gray/red fox, mink, muskrat, opossum, raccoon, striped skunk, long-tailed weasel)

Possession Legal:

• game breeder license
  
• wild animal possession permit
  
• wild animal rehabilitation permit
  
• scientific purposes license
  
• nuisance wild animal control permit
  
• USDA registered or licensed educational or scientific institution
  
• USDA breeder or dealer license
  
• hunting or trapping license during open season
  

Sale Legal:

• hunting or trapping license during hunting and trapping season
  
• game breeder license
  

Trappers:

• Must follow seasons and methods for each species
  
• Must sell, gift, barter, trade, or otherwise transfer within 24 hours or must be euthanized or released
  
• Must meet caging and care requirements during open season
  
• Must apply for game breeder license or wild animal possession permit within 5 days of close of season if still in possession  
  

Transport:

• Must be properly handled to prevent injury
  

Release: Captive-born BANNED

(312 IAC 9-3-14.5)

EASTERN COTTONTAIL RABBITS, EASTERN GRAY AND FOX SQUIRRELS:

Possession Legal:

• game breeder license
  
• wild animal possession permit
  
• wild animal rehabilitation permit
  
• scientific purposes license
  
• nuisance wild animal control permit
  
• USDA registered or licensed educational or scientific institution
  
• USDA breeder or dealer license
  

Sale Legal:

• game breeder license
  

Take Legal:

• must follow seasons, limits and methods
  

Release: Captive-born BANNED

(312 IAC 9-3-17)

SOUTHERN FLYING SQUIRRELS:

Possession Legal:

• wild animal possession permit
  
• wild animal rehabilitation permit
  
• scientific purposes license
  
• nuisance wild animal control permit
  
• USDA registered or licensed educational or scientific institution
  
• USDA breeder or dealer license
  

Sale: BANNED

Take Legal: must follow seasons, limits and methods

• wild animal rehabilitation permit
  
• scientific purposes license
  
• nuisance wild animal control permit
  

Release: Captive-born BANNED

(312 IAC 9-3-17)

 

BOBCAT:

Possession Legal:

• wild animal rehabilitation permit
  
• scientific purposes license
  
• wild animal possession permit
  
• nuisance wild animal control permit
  
• USDA registered or licensed educational or scientific institution
  
• USDA breeder or dealer license
  

Sale Legal:

• USDA breeder, dealer or exhibitor
  

Take Legal:

• scientific purposes license
  
• nuisance wild animal control permit
  

Release: Captive-born BANNED

(312 IAC 9-3-18.1)

RIVER OTTER:

Possession Legal:

• wild animal rehabilitation permit
  
• scientific purposes license
  
• nuisance wild animal control permit
  
• USDA registered or licensed educational or scientific institution
  
• USDA breeder or dealer license
  

Sale Legal:

• USDA breeder, dealer or exhibitor
  

Trap Legal:

• No provisions for live trapping listed
  

Release: Captive-born BANNED

(312 IAC 9-3-18.2)

BADGERS:

Possession Legal:

• Wild animal possession permit
  
• wild animal rehabilitation permit
  
• scientific purposes license
  
• nuisance wild animal control permit
  
• USDA registered or licensed educational or scientific institution
  
• USDA breeder or dealer license
  

Sale Legal:

• USDA breeder, dealer or exhibitor
  

Take Legal:

• scientific purposes license
  
• nuisance wild animal control permit
  

Release: Captive-born BANNED

(312 IAC 9-3-18.3)

 

EXOTIC MAMMALS (LISTED):

• EXEMPT: bobcat, red fox, gray fox, and coyote not considered exotic
  

Take: BANNED

Release: Captive-born BANNED

(312 IAC 9-3-18.5)

 

EXOTIC MAMMALS (REST):

Take Legal:

• resident landowner or tenant if destroying or causing substantial damage to property
  
• family camelidae that is slaughtered
  
• escaped mammals that are immediate threat to public safety or health of wild animals
  

Release: Captive-born BANNED

(312 IAC 9-3-18.5)

WILD PIGS:

Sale/Barter/Trade/Lease/Release Legal:

• AZA or ZAA zoo
  
• USDA scientific research institution
  
• Purdue University Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
  
• Organization or person holding one upon request
  
• Transport through state if confined and not unloaded except slaughter
  

Take Legal: Must be euthanized

• resident landowner or individual with permission on such land
  
• nuisance wild animal control permit
  
• scientific purposes license
  

Release: Captive-born BANNED

(312 IAC 9-3-18.6)

BATS:

Possession and Take Legal:

• nuisance wild animal control permit
  
• scientific purposes license
  
• limited take permit
  
• wild animal rehabilitation permit
  

Release: Captive-born BANNED

(312 IAC 9-3-18.7)

 

BLACK BEAR:

Possession Legal:

• Wild animal possession permit
  
• wild animal rehabilitation permit
  
• scientific purposes license
  
• nuisance wild animal control permit
  
• USDA registered or licensed educational or scientific institution
  
• USDA breeder or dealer license
  

Sale Legal:

• USDA breeder, dealer or exhibitor
  

Take Legal:

• scientific purposes license
  
• nuisance wild animal control permit
  

Release: BANNED

(312 IAC 9-3-18.8)

 

EXEMPTED MAMMALS:

Legal:

• Any mammal not listed is unprotected and legal for take, possession and sale
  

Release: Captive-born BANNED

(312 IAC 9-3-20)

 

RAPTORS:

Possession, Breed, Sale Legal:

• Federal raptor propagation permit (exempt from state permit)
  

Take Legal: Must follow seasons and limits

• wild animal rehabilitation permit
  
• scientific purposes license
  
• falconry license
  
• migratory bird depredation permit
  

(312 IAC 9-4-2)

OTHER MIGRATORY BIRDS AND WATERFOWL:

Wild-Caught Possession Legal:

• wild animal rehabilitation permit
  
• special purpose educational permit
  
• scientific purposes license
  
• falconry license
  

Possess, Breed, Sale Legal:

• captive-bred waterfowl under federal law
  

Take Legal: Must follow seasons and limits

• wild animal rehabilitation permit
  
• scientific purposes license
  
• migratory bird depredation permit
  
• during hunting season
  
• brown-headed cowbird, common grackle, red-winged blackbird, Brewer's blackbird, or American crow for depredation
  
• Canada goose causing damage or being a threat
  
• Public use airport
  

(312 IAC 9-4-2)

MUTE SWANS:

Possession:

• Pinioned by 6 months of age
  
• Enclosure to prevent escape
  
• Inventory of numbers held including deaths and births and transactions
  

Sale:

• Pinioned by 6 months of age
  
• Enclosure to prevent escape
  
• Not released
  
• Inventory of numbers and name and address of buyer or person gifted and seller, number sold and date sold
  

(312 IAC 9-4-2.5)

 

AMERICAN CROWS:

Take:

• Allows unlimited take during season through hunting
  

(312 IAC 9-4-7.1)

 

BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS, COMMON GRACKLES, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS, AND CROWS:

Take:

• Allows take for depredation  
  

(312 IAC 9-4-7.2)

 
 

NORTHERN BOBWHITE QUAIL AND RING-NECKED PHEASANTS AND EGGS:

Possession Legal:

• game breeder license
  
• dog training ground permit – less than 5 consecutive days
  
• private shooting preserve license
  
• scientific purposes license
  
• wild animal rehabilitation permit
  
• Purchase from game breeder and released into wild within 5 days
  

Sale Legal:

• Game breeder license
  

Take: No provisions listed for live take

(312 IAC 9-4-7.5; 312 IAC 9-4-8; 312 IAC 9-4-9)

RUFFED GROUSE AND WILD TURKEYS:

Possession Legal:

• wild animal rehabilitation permit
  
• scientific purposes license
  
• special purpose salvage permit
  
• taxidermy license
  

Sale: BANNED

Take: No provisions listed for live take

(312 IAC 9-4-7.5; 312 IAC 9-4-11)

QUAIL, PHEASANT, PARTRIDGE - REST:

Possession, Sale, Take Legal: 

• No permit needed for all unlisted species not endangered
  

(312 IAC 9-4-7.5)

 

HOUSE SPARROW, EUROPEAN STARLING, ROCK PIGEON, MONK PARAKEET:

Take Legal: 

• No permit needed
  

(312 IAC 9-4-15)

 

TURTLES – EASTERN SNAPPING, SMOOTH SOFTSHELL, SPINY SOFTSHELL:

Possession Legal: Limit 4 per species except:

• turtle possession permit
  
• wild animal rehabilitation permit
  
• scientific purposes license
  
• wild animal possession permit
  

Sale Legal: Need PIT tag

• captive-born albinistic, leucistic or xanthic species not endangered or threatened
  
• USDA research institution
  
• to a public school or nonpublic school (can purchase only)
  
• transport in interstate commerce when sold out-of-state
  
• BANS sale of offspring of wild-caught
  

Take Legal:

• Allows 4/day total combined for these species
  
• July 1 and March 31
  
• Must have carapace of 12+”
  
• Allows trap, net, another mechanical device with no opening below water surface; hands; gaff; methods allowed under sport fishing
  

Release Legal: Captive-born BANNED

• Without permit: Those held less than 30 days not held with other reptiles and amphibians released at capture point
  
• Permit
  

(312 IAC 9-5-1, 9-5-6, 9-5-7)

AMERICAN BULLFROGS AND GREEN FROGS:

Possession Legal:

• 25/day limit for take
  

Sale Legal: Need PIT tag

• tadpoles of these species
  
• captive-born albinistic, leucistic or xanthic species not endangered or threatened
  
• USDA research institution
  
• to a public school or nonpublic school (can purchase only)
  
• hauler and supplier permit or aquaculture permit for American bullfrog and green frog tadpoles
  
• transport in interstate commerce when sold out-of-state
  
• BANS sale of offspring of wild-caught
  

Take Legal:

• Allows 25/day total combined for these species
  
• June 15 through April 30
  
• Allows gig or spear with head up to 3”, bow and arrows, club, hands, single pole or hand line with 1 hook, .22 caliber firearm, air rifle (except state park)
  

Release Legal: Captive-born BANNED

• Without permit: Those held less than 30 days not held with other reptiles and amphibians released at capture point
  
• Permit
  

(312 IAC 9-5-1, 9-5-6, 9-5-7)

EASTERN BOX TURTLE:

Possession Legal: Limit 4

• turtle possession permit
  
• wild animal rehabilitation permit
  
• scientific purposes license
  

Sale Legal: Need PIT tag

• captive-born albinistic, leucistic or xanthic species not endangered or threatened
  
• USDA research institution
  
• to a public school or nonpublic school (can purchase only)
  
• transport in interstate commerce when sold out-of-state
  
• BANS sale of offspring of wild-caught
  

Take: BANNED

Release: Captive-born BANNED

(312 IAC 9-5-1, 9-5-6, 9-5-7)

 

NATIVE REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN EGGS:

Take: BANNED

(312 IAC 9-5-1, 9-5-6, 9-5-7)

 

ENDANGERED REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS:

Possession Legal:

• wild animal possession permit
  
• wild animal rehabilitation permit
  
• scientific purposes license
  

Sale Legal: Need PIT tag

• captive-born albinistic, leucistic or xanthic species not endangered or threatened
  
• USDA research institution
  
• to a public school or nonpublic school (can purchase only)
  
• transport in interstate commerce when sold out-of-state
  
• BANS sale of offspring of wild-caught
  

Take: BANNED

Release: Captive-born BANNED

(312 IAC 9-5-1, 9-5-4, 9-5-6, 9-5-7)

 

GRAY RATSNAKE, EASTERN FOXSNAKE, EASTERN HOG-NOSED SNAKE, PRAIRIE KINGSNAKE, EASTERN BLACK KINGSNAKE, EASTERN MILKSNAKE, BULLSNAKE, NONENDANGERED OR THREATENED ALBINISTIC, LEUICISTIC, AND XANTHIC

Possession Legal:

• wild
  

Sale Legal:

• reptile captive breeder license (allows sale of offspring of wild-caught)
  

Take:

• 4/species annually
  

Release Legal: Captive-born BANNED

• Without permit: Those held less than 30 days not held with other reptiles and amphibians released at capture point
  
• Permit
  

(312 IAC 9-5-1, 9-5-6, 9-5-7)

 

BOREAL CHORUS FROG:

Possession/Sale: BANNED

• GRANDFATHERED: Those whose numbers were listed by 10/1/21, that used individually unique elastomer or another permanent marking, and manages it to ensure public health and safety
  

(312 IAC 9-5-1, 9-5-6, 9-5-7)

 

NATIVE REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS (REST):

Possession Legal: Limit 4 per species except:

• bullfrogs and green frogs
  
• turtle possession permit
  
• wild animal rehabilitation permit
  
• scientific purposes license
  
• wild animal possession permit
  

Sale Legal: Need PIT tag

• captive-born albinistic, leucistic or xanthic species not endangered or threatened
  
• USDA research institution
  
• to a public school or nonpublic school (can purchase only)
  
• transport in interstate commerce when sold out-of-state
  
• BANS sale of offspring of wild-caught
  

Take Legal:

• Allows 2/day and 4 total per species
  
• April 1 through March 31
  
• Turtles allowed year-round
  
• Turtles: allows trap, net, another mechanical device with no opening below water surface; hands; gaff; methods allowed under sport fishing
  
• Frogs: Allows gig or spear with head up to 3”, bow and arrows, club, hands, single pole or hand line with 1 hook, .22 caliber firearm, air rifle (except state park)
  

Release Legal: Captive-born BANNED

• Without permit: Those held less than 30 days not held with other reptiles and amphibians released at capture point
  
• Permit
  

(312 IAC 9-5-1, 9-5-6, 9-5-7)

 

EXOTIC TURTLES:

Sale: needs carapace of 4”+ except

• governmental agency engaged in scientific study or research
  
• scientific research organization
  
• accredited museum or institution of higher learning
  
• individual in cooperation with college, university or governmental agency
  
• private company under contract for scientific or educational purposes
  

Release: BANNED

(312 IAC 9-5-7.5)

VENOMOUS REPTILES:

Possession Legal:

• wild animal possession permit
  
• scientific purposes license
  

Sale Legal: Need PIT tag

• captive-born albinistic, leucistic or xanthic species not endangered or threatened
  
• USDA research institution
  
• to a public school or nonpublic school (can purchase only)
  
• transport in interstate commerce when sold out-of-state
  
• BANS sale of offspring of wild-caught
  

Take:

• Allows 2/day and 4 total per species
  
• April 1 through March 31
  

Release Legal: Captive-born BANNED

• Without permit: Those held less than 30 days not held with other reptiles and amphibians released at capture point
  
• Permit
  

(312 IAC 312 IAC 9-5-1, 9-5-6 to 9-5-8)

 

DANGEROUS REPTILES (Crocodilians 5’+ and Venomous):

Possession/Sale Legal:

• zoological park (AZA or local government agency)
  
• class III wild animal possession permit
  
• research institution with active Assurance of Compliance on file with the Office for the Protection of Risk
  

Release: Captive-born BANNED

(312 IAC 9-5-8)

 

FISH UNDER FISHING LAWS

Possession/Sale/Take Legal:

• As allowed in fishing laws
  

EXOTIC FISH

(Exotic catfish, bighead carp, black carp, silver carp, white perch, snakehead, rudd, ruffe, tubenose goby, round goby, stone moroko, zander, wels catfish, hybrids)

Possession/Import/Release/Sale/Trade/Barter/Loan Legal: Must comply with federal law for injurious

• zoological park (AZA or local government agency)
  
• interstate shipment through state
  
• aquaculture permit
  
• scientific purposes license (medical, educational, scientific)
  

(312 IAC 9-6-7)

EXEMPT FISH

Possession/Sale/Take Legal:

• Those not listed as endangered or in fishing laws
  

(312 IAC 9-6-10)

CRAYFISH:

Sale Legal:

• bait dealer’s license
  

Take Legal:

• sport fishing license
  
• scientific purposes
  
• owner or lessee of farmland and immediate family fishing on farmland without permit
  

Export Legal:

• 100 crayfish per 24 hours except commercial raising in private waters for sale
  

(312 IAC 9-9-2)

 

ZEBRA MUSSEL, QUAGGA MUSSEL, ASIATIC CLAM, GOLDEN MUSSEL:

Possess:

• scientific purposes license
  

Import/Release: BANNED

Take: killed only

(312 IAC 9-9-3)

 

MUSSELS (REST):

Possess Legal:

• scientific purposes license
  
• special purpose possession permit (shells from department for educational purposes only)
  

Take: BANNED

Release: Captive-born BANNED

(312 IAC 9-9-3)

 

EXEMPT INVERTEBRATES:

Possess/Sale/Take Legal:

• Those not listed as endangered or otherwise listed above
  

(312 IAC 9-9-5)