HB 1154 Summary

• Establishes licensing and operation of game preserves where privately owned cervidae (deer, elk, moose, reindeer, caribou) and game birds may be hunted, with a maximum of 10 active licenses issued by the department.

• Requires game preserve owners to pay an annual license renewal fee of $1,000 beginning July 1, 2016, and provide annual free programs promoting hunter safety or developing new hunters under 18 years old or disabled individuals.

• Game preserve owners are exempt from obtaining game breeder's and shooting preserve licenses; game preserves must contain at least 200 contiguous acres with 60% escape cover, be enclosed by a 10-foot secure fence, and comply with chronic wasting disease rules.

• Restricts sale and transfer of game preserves, allowing transfers only to spouses, children, or original listed partners/members/stockholders; prohibits one person from owning more than one game preserve in Indiana.

• Establishes the hunter safety education fund, funded by game preserve license fees and game preserve transportation tag fees ($50 for Indiana residents, $100 for out-of-state residents), to provide hunter safety instruction and administer the program; takes effect July 1, 2014.