in-20260422-IR-312260102RAA: 312 IAC 9-3-18.1

TITLE 312 NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Interim Rule Regulatory Analysis LSA Document #26-102

I. Description of Rule

Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 II. Fiscal Impact Analysis III. Impacted Parties IV. Changes in Proposed Rule Subsection Changes to the Rule Reason for the Change 312 IAC 9-3-18.1(a) Adds hunting as a method to take bobcats Allow additional opportunities for taking bobcats 312 IAC 9-3-18.1(b) Changes “trap” to “take” and adds lifetime hunting license types Since hunting is now authorized, it's a taking season instead of a trapping season and lifetime hunting licenses need to be allowed 312 IAC 9-3-18.1(c) Adds bobcat license and hunting license types Since hunting is now authorized, hunting license types need to be added as well as the bobcat license which is required in IC 14-22-12-1(a) to take a bobcat; IC 14-22-11-6 also requires a hunting license when hunting and IC 14-22-11-7 requires a trapping license when trapping. 312 IAC 9-3-18.1(d) Removes “trapping” Since hunting is now authorized, it is no longer a trapping season. 312 IAC 9-3-18.1(e) Corrects reference to subsection for the bag limit The individual bag limit has been moved to subsection (d) 312 IAC 9-3-18.1(f) Changes “trap” to “take” Since hunting is now authorized, the term “trap” needs to be changed to “take” 312 IAC 9-3-18.1(h) Adds equipment that may be used to hunt a bobcat Since hunting is now authorized, legal equipment needed to be added and is consistent with legal equipment for deer hunting 312 IAC 9-3-18.1(i) Adds legal hunting hours Since hunting is now authorized, legal hunting hours are needed and are the same as those for deer hunting in 312 IAC 9-3-2(t) 312 IAC 9-3-18.1 (j) Removes the term “trapping” for the season and increases the statewide quota to 400 bobcats Since hunting is now authorized, the term “trapping” needed to be removed and the number of bobcats is increased to allow for additional opportunities 312 IAC 9-3-18.1(k) Corrects reference to subsection(l) Since subsection (i) has been changed to subsection (l) 312 IAC 9-3-18.1(l) Removes the term “trapping” for the season and changes “deliver” to “show” Since hunting is now authorized, the term “trapping” needs to be removed. The term “deliver” has been changes since the skinned hide is shown to the department employee or checking station and returned back to the individual after the tag has been issued. 312 IAC 9-3-18.1(m) Removes the term “trapping” for the season and changes subsection (i) to (l) Since hunting is now authorized, the term trapping has been removed and subsection (i) has been changed to subsection (l) 312 IAC 9-3-18.1(n) Removes the reference to federal law Removes confusion and questions about compliance with federal requirements 312 IAC 9-3-18.1(p) Changes “trap” to “take” and corrects references to other subsections Since hunting is now authorized, the terms have been changed to remove the references to a trapping season 312 IAC 9-3-18.1(q) Removes the reference to a trap that captures and immediately kills the bobcat, removes the word “trapping season” to “take” and corrects a reference to a subsection Since hunting is now authorized, the reference to a trap and trapping season need to be removed. The subsections have been changed and the correction is needed as a result. 312 IAC 9-3-18.1(t) Adds the restriction on the use of a dog to take or chase a bobcat Eliminates concerns about hunters taking a large number of bobcats with the use of a dog before many trappers are able to trap them (provides for more equal opportunities). 312 IAC 9-3-18.1 Direct Effects Indirect Effect Fiscal Impact to DNR Business Impacts Allows taking a bobcat by hunting (in addition to trapping) and increases the statewide quota to four hundred (400) bobcats Allows additional opportunities for hunters By increasing the statewide quota, it gives hunters and trappers more opportunities to take a bobcat Fur buyers may have access to additional bobcat pelts Taxidermists may have more bobcats to work on Landowners and other residents that have experienced damage from bobcats to their livestock will likely be helped indirectly by allowing additional bobcats to be taken and use additional equipment One hundred eighty-four thousand five hundred dollars ($184,500) revenue from the sale of licenses Five hundred ninety-six dollars ($596) administrative costs Fur buyers may have more bobcat pelts to buy and sell Taxidermists may have more bobcats to work on V. Benefit Analysis VI. Cost Analysis VII. Sources of Information VIII. Regulatory Analysis IX. Contact Information of Staff to Answer Substantive Questions Notice of Determination Received: April 6, 2026 Notice of Public Comment Period for Interim Rule: 20260422-IR-312260102INA