LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 7297 NOTE PREPARED: Jan 7, 2025
BILL NUMBER: HB 1228 BILL AMENDED:
SUBJECT: Hunting Licenses for Disabled Veterans.
FIRST AUTHOR: Rep. Dant Chesser BILL STATUS: As Introduced
FIRST SPONSOR:
FUNDS AFFECTED: GENERAL IMPACT: State
XDEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: The bill creates a new disabled veteran (DAV) hunting license bundle that
includes a discounted yearly deer hunting license and turkey hunting license.
Effective Date: July 1, 2025.
Explanation of State Expenditures:
Explanation of State Revenues: The bill could reduce revenue to the Fish and Wildlife Fund by an
indeterminate amount. The bill creates a new DAV deer and turkey license bundle for $80. The new license
would bundle the following licenses: the deer license bundle ($91), the spring turkey ($32), and fall turkey
($32) licenses. A DAV hunter who currently purchases the deer license bundle, or the deer license bundle
with one or both turkey licenses could spend $11 to $75 less on the new bundle. Conversely, a DAV hunter
who currently purchases only a single deer license and/or turkey license may choose to spend an additional
$9 to $48 for the additional discounted hunting options.
About 10,800 individuals purchase a DAV license to fish, hunt (small game), or the hunt/fish combo. The
number of these individuals who also purchase deer and/or turkey licenses is not known. Additionally, the
number of DAV-eligible individuals who only purchase deer and/or turkey licenses and do not purchase
DAV licenses (are not included in the 10,800) is not known.
Additional Information: Data from national hunting surveys show that overlap exists between individuals
who engage in fishing, those who engage in hunting large game (which includes deer and wild turkey), and
those who engage in hunting small game, migratory birds, and other animals. However, the data are not
detailed enough to know what percentage of individuals who engage in one activity also engage in another.
The following table displays the number of each license type sold for the 2023 season to indicate total
volumes, as well as the popularity of some activities compared to others. For the 10-year DAV licenses, sales
for the 2014-2023 seasons are shown.
HB 1228 1 2023 Hunting Season: Current License Fees and Number of Licenses Sold
Category License Type Fee Number SoldCategory Total
Deer
Bundle $91 76,449
142,998
Deer Licenses
Archery, Firearm, Muzzleloader,
or Special Antlerless Season
$39 66,549
Turkey Spring $32 25,887 29,664
Turkey Licenses
Fall $32 3,777
Hunt
(small game)
Hunt $20 21,639 89,224
Hunting Licenses
Hunt/Fish $32 67,585
DAV Annual
Fish $2.75 261
10,780
DAV Licenses
Hunt $2.75 45
Hunt/Fish $2.75 668
DAV 10-year
Fish (2014-2023 fishing seasons) $27.50 1,134
Hunt (2014-2023 hunting seasons) $27.50 174
Hunt/Fish (2014-2023 hunting seasons)$27.50 8,498
Numbers include apprentice licenses. Individual deer license numbers also include military/refuge and deer reduction zone.
Explanation of Local Expenditures:
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected: Department of Natural Resources; Natural Resources Commission.
Local Agencies Affected:
Information Sources: Department of Natural Resources: 2023 License Year Sales;
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/.
Fiscal Analyst: Heather Puletz, 317-234-9484.
HB 1228 2