Indiana Senate passes bill regulating fenced-in deer hunting

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Indiana’s hunting preserves could soon get an ultimatum from the state now that the Senate passed a bill listing requirements for the facilities.

Some of those requirements include a minimum of 100 acres surrounded by fencing at least 8 feet high. Hunting preserves have operated unregulated in Indiana since February after a court ruling that said the Indiana Department of Natural Resources overreached when it tried closing a preserve in Harrison County.

The Senate sent the bill to the House on a 29-19 vote after some debate.

Opponents of the measure say the bill does not support real hunting since animals cannot escape the fences and preserves should be banned entirely. Supporters maintain the preserves give access to people who aren’t able to find other places to hunt.