Title 14, NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES

Sec. 19. The costs of the programs established under this chapter may not be paid with money dedicated to fish and game purposes. However, transfers may be made from money dedicated for fish and game purposes to the nongame fund established under section 20 of this chapter. [Pre-…

Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "fund" refers to the nongame fund established by this chapter. [1995 Recodification Citation: New.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15.

Sec. 20. (a) The nongame fund is established as a dedicated fund. (b) The department shall administer the fund. (c) In recognition of the importance of preserving the natural heritage of Indiana, it is the intent of the general assembly to provide a fund to be used exclusively fo…

Sec. 21. If the commission establishes entrance fees for admission to fish and wildlife areas, the fees shall be deposited in the fund. However, the holder of a hunting or fishing license under this article may not be charged a fee for admission to fish and wildlife areas. [Pre-1…

Sec. 3. (a) As used in this chapter, "management" means the collection and application of biological information for the purposes of increasing the number of individuals within species and populations of wildlife up to the optimum carrying capacity of their habitat and maintainin…

Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "nongame species" means any wild mammal, bird, amphibian, reptile, fish, mollusk, crustacean, or other wild animal not otherwise legally classified by Indiana statute or rule. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-2-8.5-1(e).] As added by P.L.1-19…

Sec. 5. As used in this chapter, "take" means to: (1) harass, hunt, capture, or kill; or (2) attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill; wildlife. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-2-8.5-1(h).] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15.

Sec. 6. As used in this chapter, "wildlife" means: (1) any wild mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, mollusk, crustacean, or other wild animal; or (2) any part, product, egg or offspring, or the dead body or parts of the wild animal. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-2-8.5…

Sec. 7. (a) The director shall conduct investigations on nongame species to determine the species that are in need of management. The director may consider information relating to the following: (1) Population. (2) Distribution. (3) Habitat needs. (4) Limiting factors. (5) Other …

Sec. 8. The director shall adopt rules to establish proposed limitations relating to: (1) taking; (2) possession; (3) transportation; (4) exportation; (5) use; (6) processing; (7) sale or offer for sale; or (8) shipment; of nongame species that are considered necessary to manage …

Sec. 9. Except as provided in rules adopted by the director: (1) a person may not take, possess, transport, export, process, sell, or offer for sale or shipment nongame species considered by the director to be in need of management under this section; and (2) a common or contract…

Sec. 1. The lake and river enhancement fund is established and allocated for the following purposes: (1) Fifty percent (50%) of the fund shall be used to pay costs incurred by the department in implementing the lake and river enhancement projects. (2) Fifty percent (50%) of the f…

Sec. 2. The fund shall be administered by the director of the department. As added by P.L.178-2019, SEC.65.

Sec. 3. Expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from money in the fund. As added by P.L.178-2019, SEC.65.

Sec. 4. The fund consists of the revenue from watercraft registration fees paid by boat owners and deposited under IC 9-18.1-14.5-6. As added by P.L.178-2019, SEC.65. Amended by P.L.164-2020, SEC.54.

Sec. 5. Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund. As added by P.L.178-2019, SEC.65.

Sec. 6. With the approval of the governor and the budget agency, the money in the fund allocated under section 1(1) of this chapter may be used to augment and supplement the funds appropriated for the implementation of lake and river enhancement projects. As added by P.L.178-2019…

Sec. 1. (a) The department shall establish a course of instruction in hunter safety, principles of conservation, and sportsmanship. (b) To carry out subsection (a), the department may cooperate with a reputable association or organization having as an objective the promotion of h…

Sec. 2. The director shall designate a conservation officer to administer the program. The officer shall do the following: (1) Outline all phases of instruction. (2) Conduct general supervision of individual programs. (3) Distribute information on the programs. [Pre-1995 Recodifi…

Sec. 3. The department may construct, operate, and maintain public outdoor and indoor target ranges. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-2-10-1 part.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15.

Sec. 4. The department shall prepare the reports necessary to seek approval under 16 U.S.C. 669g for federal assistance in the program of hunter safety, conservation, and sportsmanship. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-2-10-1 part.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15.

Sec. 0.5. This chapter applies to a watershed development commission that includes the Maumee River basin. As added by P.L.104-2025, SEC.5.

Sec. 1. (a) The flood damage reduction, drainage, storm water management, and soil and water conservation purposes for which a watershed development commission may be established include the following: (1) Planning, taking, and promoting action to prevent or mitigate flooding thr…

Sec. 10. (a) A watershed development commission, the board of the commission, an employee of the commission, or authorized representatives of the commission acting under this chapter may: (1) enter land lying within a five hundred (500) year flood plain, also known as a two-tenth…

Sec. 2. A watershed development commission is granted powers by this chapter for the benefit of the people of Indiana and for protecting their health, safety, and welfare. The operation, creation, development, and maintenance of the projects by a watershed development commission …

Sec. 3. A watershed development commission shall limit its activities to the commission's designated watershed. As added by P.L.104-2025, SEC.5.

Sec. 4. (a) The board of a watershed development commission shall develop a plan for flood damage reduction and drainage within the commission's designated watershed. (b) A watershed development commission: (1) subject to subsection (f), has authority to perform drainage, storm w…

Sec. 5. The board of a watershed development commission may do the following: (1) Conduct all studies necessary for the performance of the board's duties. (2) Publicize, advertise, and distribute reports on the commission's purposes, objectives, and findings. (3) Provide recommen…

Sec. 6. (a) A watershed development commission may receive grants and appropriations from the following: (1) Federal, state, and local governments. (2) Individuals, foundations, and other organizations. (b) A watershed development commission may enter into agreements or contracts…

Sec. 7. (a) A watershed development commission may: (1) acquire and dispose of real or personal property by grant, gift, purchase, lease, devise, or otherwise; (2) hold, use, improve, maintain, operate, own, manage, or lease as lessor or lessee real or personal property or any in…

Sec. 8. A watershed development commission may sue and be sued. As added by P.L.104-2025, SEC.5.

Sec. 9. (a) A watershed development commission, with the approval of: (1) the affected regional planning commission established under IC 36-7-7 or IC 36-7-7.6; and (2) the department; may enter into agreements with agencies in another state that are responsible for the planning o…

Sec. 1. (a) The department shall establish a trapper training program, including a course of instruction in trapping wild animals, that emphasizes methods, laws, ethics, responsibilities, natural history, wildlife management, and other matters associated with trapping. (b) To car…

Sec. 2. The director shall designate one (1) of the divisions of the department to administer the trapper training program. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-2-10-2(c).] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15.

Sec. 3. The department may prepare the reports that are necessary to obtain federal or other assistance for the trapper training program. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-2-10-2(d).] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15.

Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "game animal" means an animal that may be legally taken under this article. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-2-11-1.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.15.

Sec. 2. (a) A person who knowingly or intentionally interferes with the legal taking of a game animal by another person with intent to prevent the taking commits a Class C misdemeanor. (b) A person who knowingly or intentionally: (1) disturbs a game animal; or (2) engages in an a…

Sec. 3. A person who fails to obey the order of a law enforcement officer to desist from conduct in violation of section 2 of this chapter commits a Class B misdemeanor if the law enforcement officer: (1) observed the person engaged in conduct that violates section 2 of this chap…

Sec. 1. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this article and subject to subsection (b), a person who violates this article commits a Class C infraction. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this article, a person who knowingly or intentionally violates this article commits a Class…

Sec. 2. The: (1) taking, catching, killing, possession, or transportation of each animal or part of an animal; or (2) possession of each fishing, hunting, or trapping apparatus, appliance, or device; in violation of this article constitutes a separate offense. Each day's possessi…

Sec. 3. A person who takes a deer or a wild turkey in violation of this article commits a Class B misdemeanor. However, the offense is a Class A misdemeanor if the person has a prior conviction under: (1) IC 14-2-3-8(c) (repealed); or (2) this section. [Pre-1995 Recodification Ci…

Sec. 4. (a) If a person commits an offense that involves: (1) unlawfully taking or possessing a deer or wild turkey; (2) taking or possessing a deer or wild turkey by illegal methods or with illegal devices; or (3) except as provided in subsection (c), selling, offering to sell, …

Sec. 4.5. A person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally: (1) violates IC 14-22-10-1(1) by hunting on privately owned land without the consent of the owner or tenant; and (2) while committing the violation described in subdivision (1), uses or possesses: (A) a sound suppres…

Sec. 5. (a) A person who takes or possesses a wild animal, except a deer or turkey, in violation of this article shall reimburse the state as follows: (1) Twenty dollars ($20) for the first violation. (2) Thirty-five dollars ($35) for each subsequent violation. (b) The money shal…

Sec. 6. (a) As used in this section, "guide services" means fishing or hunting guide or outfitter services that are offered or provided for money or other consideration. The term includes services by a person who for money or other consideration: (1) offers or advertises to trans…

Sec. 7. (a) As used in this section, "hunter orange" means a daylight fluorescent orange with the dominant wavelength 595-605 nm, a purity of not less than eighty-five percent (85%), and a luminance factor of not less than forty percent (40%). (b) As used in this section, "wear h…