LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
200 W. Washington St., Suite 301
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-0696
iga.in.gov
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 6909 NOTE PREPARED: Feb 20, 2024
BILL NUMBER: SB 241 BILL AMENDED:
SUBJECT: Taking Bobcats.
FIRST AUTHOR: Sen. Baldwin BILL STATUS: As Passed House
FIRST SPONSOR: Rep. Lindauer
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL IMPACT: State
XDEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to establish and
implement a season to take bobcats not later than July 1, 2025.
Effective Date: July 1, 2024.
Explanation of State Expenditures: The bill could minimally increase workload for the Natural Resources
Commission (NRC) to adopt rules no later than July 1, 2025, to establish and implement a bobcat hunting
season. Rulemaking is a routine function of the NRC.
Explanation of State Revenues: The bill could increase revenue to the Fish and Wildlife Fund as it requires
a separate bobcat hunting license to take a bobcat. It establishes that license fees must be set at a minimum
of $15 for a resident, $24 for a nonresident youth, and $120 for a nonresident (resident youth would not need
a separate bobcat hunting license as the current resident youth hunt/trap combo license allows for the taking
of all species). Rules must be adopted no later than July 1, 2025, so the full revenue impact of the bill may
not be seen until FY 2026.
Additional Information: For an example of the number of people who may purchase a new bobcat hunting
license, the following table includes the number of small game and turkey licenses sold for the 2022 hunting
seasons. The bobcat population in Indiana is estimated at around 1,000.
SB 241 1 2022 Hunting Season: Number of Resident, Nonresident Youth, and Nonresident Licenses Sold
License Type Resident Nonresident Youth Nonresident
Hunt, Hunt/Fish Combo*, and Trap 98,871 248 4,197
Spring and Fall Turkey 27,963 164 1,779
DAV Annual Hunt and Hunt/Fish 789
N/A
DAV 10-year Hunt and Hunt Fish 8,926
Numbers include apprentice licenses. *Hunt/fish combo licenses are only available to residents.
Explanation of Local Expenditures:
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected: Department of Natural Resources; Natural Resources Commission.
Local Agencies Affected:
Information Sources:
https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/licenses-and-permits/license-fees/;
https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Final_2022-National-Survey_101223-accessible-single-page.pdf;
https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/wildlife-resources/animals/white-tailed-deer/special-antlerless-firearms-season/;
https://hecshunting.com/blog/indiana-hunting-seasons/.
https://a-z-animals.com/blog/bobcat-population-by-state-how-many-live-in-yours/
Fiscal Analyst: Heather Puletz, 317-234-9484.
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