Quote:Go find your local game warden
Be careful with that. There is some wording in the regs that leave room for "interpretation" from one DNR officer to another.
In particular "A continuous burning light that can be seen from at least 500ft away while pursuing game."
To me this is the actual pursuit, not setting up. So, I do not have my red light on when walking to a coyote stand or tree line for raccoon. The pursuit in my mind begins when I turn the call on. Once I get on stand and I am ready to call for a yote or fox, I turn on the red light, then turn the call on for the entire stand. When I finally get to the tree line or woods that I am going to call coon in, I will turn on the light right before I begin calling and keep that light on the entire time when calling and walking the tree line/ woods for coon.
I trully believe that the whole burning light when pursuing game is focused on the running of dogs for coon. But, I play it safe. I could see how some wardens may try and say that you need a light on from the moment you walk out in the field. But, I have never had an issue with this the few times a county cop or warden has taken an interest in me while hunting.
Other than that, Indiana is pretty much wide open with what type of weapon, light, how the light is mounted, and type of call you use when hunting furbearers. It is pretty much cut and dry though about no hunting from a vehicle.
Some advice on rimfires for the larger coyotes we have here in Indiana. I would do a 22 mag minimum. I dont know what type of terrain you are hunting in but up here in the flat lands, a shotgun is not the most ideal choice. Longer shots are going to happen. I have found a .223 to be pretty much ideal for the song dogs in my area. Aot of shots are at the 45-80yd range. I use a bolt gun in 223 for my night hunting. An AR would be the cats meow. I have on more than one occasion called in multiple dogs while night hunting. That can get a little trying with a bolt action...LOL. The 17HMR will do it, but you really need to be spot on with shot placement and range. From my experience, I would of had to pass up alot more shots than I would have took if I was a slave to the 17HMR.
