Deer hunting from a house??? What is the law?

[john0286]

Was talking with the some fellow hunters this past week about the ease of hunting from a home if deer visit the property you live on. Sliding a door or window open for easy shooting.....then we got to talking about whether or not this is considered poaching. I seemed to recall years ago reading in an Indiana hunting guide that it was illegal to hunt from a taxable structure, I did some recent research and cant find anything on it .....I dont actually consider this hunting because it seems to easy. Has anyone done this? Does anyone know what the law is? If so post the text or a link..

 

[lizerdking]

My wife won't let me... So i shoot from the stand out back instead. Otherwise I've come to the same conclusion you have, can't find where it's not legal, but it doesn't seem very sporting.

 

[eldirector]

Does that count as a deer blind? If so, you need "hunter orange" on all 4 sides of your house!

Here are all the deer regs:
Deer Seasons, Licenses and Equipment | Indiana Hunting & Trapping Guide | eRegulations.com

 

[john0286]

I've had a few opportunities, I've even spotted deer crossing the neighboring field out my window and grabbed my orange hat and gun and hurried to where I expect them to cross my property (successful a few times). I've never just opened the door and shot one though, never wanted to make habit of it. A neighbor told me a long time ago you had to be 100 yards from a house. So I've always kept my stands at least 101 yards away....

 

[Jerry45Acp]

Hunting from the hot-tub under the gazebo is quite comfortable on a chilly winter's day. As long as you have a place to set your beer before shooting.

 

[john0286]

Does that count as a deer blind? If so, you need "hunter orange" on all 4 sides of your house!

Here are all the deer regs:
Deer Seasons, Licenses and Equipment | Indiana Hunting & Trapping Guide | eRegulations.com

I've read all of that.....but I do agree that it should be considered a blind...and would require orange on all sides.

 

[eldirector]

I suppose.... if your hot tub is on the deck, more than 4 feet from the ground, it is technically a "tree stand". No need for the orange.

One comfy tree stand, to boot.

 

[Jerry45Acp]

I could put out the orange bath towels!

 

[lizerdking]

 

[Jerry45Acp]

That's awsome! Now all ya gotta do is holler fer the little woman ta stop with the house-cleanin' an go fetch that there deer on up ta the house.

 

[singlestacksig]

if you hunt from the ground floor you might need the orange, but if you shoot from the 2nd floor does that count as 4 feet above ground ?

 

[KJW]

Shooting a deer from a house isn't "to easy" but it may be "too easy." However, I would argue that deer hunting with a gun is unsportsmanlike, due to its ease, compared to bow hunting. But, not all hunters are alike, and some likely have physical disabilities that necessitate the use of a firearm. Perhaps some even have significant mobility issues such that shooting from the house is the best they can do?

 

[jiggypete]

I had wondered about this also. Our last house had a walk out basement, so the deck was 12 feet off the ground. Deer were always right in the edge of the woods and sometimes the yard. If guess I could have used the daughters swing set as a stand also!

 

[Leadeye]

House is in the woods so when I'm feeling lazy I hunt off the back deck. Don't see an issue.

 

[88GT]

I had wondered about this also. Our last house had a walk out basement, so the deck was 12 feet off the ground. Deer were always right in the edge of the woods and sometimes the yard. If guess I could have used the daughters swing set as a stand also!

This is the set-up my dad has. Except on his property, the lay of the land doesn't invite the deer up close enough to the house for a good shot. He has a serious elevation drop which only adds to the distance. But we joke about shooting from the deck, and if it could be done with a reasonable degree of success, I'm sure he would.

 

[john0286]

Shooting a deer from a house isn't "to easy" but it may be "too easy." However, I would argue that deer hunting with a gun is unsportsmanlike, due to its ease, compared to bow hunting. But, not all hunters are alike, and some likely have physical disabilities that necessitate the use of a firearm. Perhaps some even have significant mobility issues such that shooting from the house is the best they can do?

Yeah im not as concerned about how ethical anyone thinks it is. Ive had plenty of opportunities to kill deer from the house, even during bow season. To each their own. Im more concerned about the legalities of it.

 

[88GT]

Yeah im not as concerned about how ethical anyone thinks it is. Ive had plenty of opportunities to kill deer from the house, even during bow season. To each their own. Im more concerned about the legalities of it.

On a practical level, what are the chances of any blowback from doing it?

 

[john0286]

On a practical level, what are the chances of any blowback from doing it?

Nothing likely, however breaking any laws while hunting can be considered poaching. We know that can result in variety of punishments

 

[spaniel]

Back when I lived in Michigan it was illegal to shoot deer from a fixed structure (house, barn, garage). Can't say for sure I know in Indiana, but it seems if it were legal the blind regs may apply. The answer is not obvious from a cursory search.

Fortunately, when a deer ran into my rural backyard on the second day of the season last year, I stepped clear of my residence before dispatching it. It was kind enough to run a few yards to expire directly outside the door of my shop, where I needed to clean it.

 

[JeremiahJohnson]

Don't recall any laws against shooting/hunting from your house as long as you're not inside city limits. There are laws against shooting along or across roads. I would be careful to shoot carefully as always so as not to be accused of endangering anyone. Other than that, I don't think it's a problem.

With regard to ethics, some people especially rural folks and farmers, consider killing a deer to be a chore. Kill the animal, butcher it and put it in the freezer. Not every deer taken is a spiritual experience. Sometimes it's going to the grocery.