Landowner license exemptions...

[tynimiller]

Had a buddy who asked me the other day if he was okay to use landowner tags on his parent's place...so I started researching on IN.gov and through rules and regs.

If I understand right, size of land doesn't matter...just needs to be classed as agricultural land or used to produce agricultural crops (beans, corn...). So he's good there.

My question is in order to qualify to use landowner tags, one must be the landowner, child of or spouse of can use the landowner license exception correct? A friend or even family member no longer residing at the property can no longer fall under this and would need a proper deer license correct?

[morrison]

The property has to meet the definition of 'farmland' (posted below) and the exemption applies to the landowner, their spouse or children living with them. A good rule of thumb for the children is if the landowner claims the child as a dependent on thier taxes.

IC 14-22-11-1
"Farmland" defined; license requirements and conditions
Sec. 1. (a) As used in this section, "farmland" means agricultural land that is:
(1) devoted or best adaptable for the production of crops, fruits, timber, and the raising of livestock; or
(2) assessed as agricultural land for property tax purposes.
(b) An individual may not take or chase, with or without dogs, a wild animal without having a license, except as follows:
(1) An individual who is a resident or nonresident of Indiana while participating in a field trial that has been sanctioned by the director is not required to possess a license while participating in the trial.
(2) Subject to subsection (d), an owner of farmland located in Indiana who is a resident or nonresident of Indiana and the spouse and children living with the owner may hunt, fish, and trap without a license on the land that the owner owns.
(3) A lessee of farmland who farms that land and is a resident of Indiana and the spouse and children living with the lessee may hunt, fish, and trap without a license on the leased land. This subdivision does not apply to land that is:
(A) owned, leased, or controlled by; and
(B) leased from;
the department.
(4) An individual who:
(A) is less than thirteen (13) years of age;
(B) does not possess a bow or firearm; and
(C) is accompanying an individual who:
(i) is at least eighteen (18) years of age; and
(ii) holds a valid license;
may chase a wild animal without having a license.
(c) The exceptions provided in this section do not apply to a commercial license issued under this article.
(d) The right of a nonresident who owns farmland in Indiana (and of the spouse and children who reside with the nonresident) to hunt, fish, and trap on the farmland without a license under subsection (b)(2) is subject to the following conditions: