A Senate committee has approved a proposal to legalize Indiana’s high-fenced deer-hunting preserves after making changes to address ethical concerns and provide protection against the spread of disease.
The Senate Natural Resources Committee advanced the measure that would set up licensing and inspections for Indiana’s four current preserves where farm-raised deer are hunted.
The preserves currently aren’t regulated in Indiana. The Indiana Court of Appeals court has ruled the Department of Natural Resources overstepped its authority in trying to shut them down.
The changes to the bill Monday require Indiana preserve deer to be farm-raised in this state. Preserves must be 125 acres and have a 10-foot-tall fence. Preserves owners also cannot sell a deer for hunting within 24 hours of it being sedated.