Deer license bundle versus "bonus permits"

[Woody Williams]

Morrison,

A question arose on using the bundle license. I pulled up the following off the DNR page. It states - "Antlerless deer harvested with the deer license bundle can be used toward the bag limit for bonus antlerless deer in that county as well as the archery, muzzleloader, and special antlerless-only bag limits."

To me "can" means that is doesn't have to be used that way. A "must" would have meant that ..it has to be used as a bonus license.

Then it says - If used toward the bonus antlerless deer county quota, the county quota applies.

That says to me that we don't have to use it as a bonus antlerless license, but in addition to..

Thanks..

Deer License Bundle

The deer license bundle is valid for all deer seasons except for the Reduction Zone Season.

The deer license bundle allows an individual to harvest up to three deer (two antlerless and one of either sex) with only one license. An antlered deer harvested with the deer license bundle counts toward an individual’s one antlered deer limit for statewide seasons.

The bundle can be used to take a deer with equipment legal during the archery (this includes crossbows), firearm, and muzzleloader seasons, and in counties open to the special anterless-only season.

Antlerless deer harvested with the deer license bundle can be used toward the bag limit for bonus antlerless deer in that county as well as the archery, muzzleloader, and special antlerless-only bag limits. If used toward the bonus antlerless deer county quota, the county quota applies.

The bundle may not be used toward the bag limit for bonus antlerless deer on DNR properties where the bonus antlerless license cannot be used. Contact the property or go to www.wildlife.IN.gov for details.

[morrison]

The deer Bundle allows for the taking of three deer of which only one MAY be an antlered deer. The "may" does give you the option as you stated. To simplify this, consider that the bundle is exactly what it is. It is three "unspecified" deer licenses. They can be used in place of ANY deer license and does not restrict your use of additional deer license as you abide by the bag limits established.

I can buy an archery, crossbow, or muzzleloader license OR I could by a deer bundle.
I can buy three bonus antlerless deer licenses OR I can buy a deer bundle.
I can buy an archery license, a firearms license, and two bonus antlerless deer licenses OR I could buy an archery or firearms license and a deer bundle.

Under each of the examples listed above, I can take the same number of deer legally under any combination.

It is three licenses purchased in a bundle that gives the hunter the option of what legal equipment and season to utilize them in.

The license was designed to be a benefit to the hunter. If I purchased an archery license and was unsuccessful during the archery season, I had to purchase another license for firearms. With the bundle, the issue was eliminated because the bundle could be used for either or both up to three deer.