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Last updated on Friday, December 21, 2018
(GREENE CO.) - A Greene County landowner, out hunting in November from an elevated tree stand with deer feeders nearby was issued a citation from a Department of Natural Resources officer.
Officers cited 40-year-old Ernest Knepp, of Montgomery, for baiting game. The citation was filed in Greene Superior Court December 10th. He will appear before Judge Dena Martin on January 7th at 1 p.m
A violation of Indiana's no baiting regulation is a Class C misdemeanor.
DNR Officer Greg Swanson was out on foot patrols earlier in November in an area west of Fowler Road and reported he'd located tree stands with feeders that all had corn in them and corn on the ground.
Officers again went to the feeders on November 17 and found Knepp, who was hunting in the tree stand. Knepp told officers he was the owner of the property
Knepp told police the filled he feeders prior to the hunting season and thought the feed would be gone before the season started.
Indiana regulations prohibit the hunting of deer with the use or aid of bait, which is defined as "a food that is transported and placed for consumption, including, but not limited to, piles of corn and apples placed in the field; a prepared solid or liquid that is manufactured and intended for consumption by livestock or wild deer, including, but not limited to, commercial baits and food supplements; salt; or mineral supplements."
"Basically, if you place anything that isn't grown in the area and hunt there, it's illegal," said Lt. Larry Morrison, outdoor education director for DNR Law Enforcement. "Hunting next to a cornfield or from an apple tree is legal, but placing corn or apples under your tree stand would put you in conflict with current Indiana law."
An area is considered baited for 10 days after the product and the affected soil is removed from an area.
Odor differs from bait. Cover scents or scent attractants are legal to use when hunting.
The 2018-2019 deer hunting seasons are as follows:
Reduction Zone: Sept. 15, 2018-Jan. 31, 2019 (where open)
Youth Season: Sept. 29-30, 2018
Archery: Oct. 1, 2018-Jan. 6, 2019
Firearm: Nov. 17-Dec. 2, 2018
Muzzleloader: Dec. 8-23, 2018
Special Antlerless: Dec. 26, 2018-Jan. 6, 2019 (where open)
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