Can someone just sit in the woods during deer season without a license?

Question

I know someone that just wants to wear orange and watch someone else hunt in Indiana. I have looked and can't find any kind of reference to this. Any suggestions couldn't hurt. As of right now, I don't see why this person would need a license as long as they didn't have a gun or call or anything.

Answer 1

In Texas you can provided that you don't have any kind of hunting weapon on you.  Sometimes I have friends who just go out with their camera.  Check with Parks & Wildlife in your own State.  They may tell you its okay provided you wear an orange vest, or something like that.

Good luck.

H

Answer 2

Yes as long as you do not have a gun and not assisting a hunter (driving, or dragging a deer). When in doubt contact your DNR.

I would also advise wearing blaze orange. Unless they are from Illinois then they should wear a brown jacket, brown pants and white on the rear of the pants.

It may also be a good idea for them to crawl on all fours instead of walking upright.

Wow all of these thumbs down must come from FIBS

Answer 3

Noting wrong with just sitting in the woods but if you have any kind of weapon such as a rifle, handgun, muzzleloader, bow and arrows, crossbow, etc. and the game warden sees you, having weapons in your possession is defacto evidence that you are hunting.  If you are unarmed, you will have no problem unless you are trespassing.

Answer 4

I am a certified Alaskan hunter safety instructor.

To my knowledge there is no law in any state against anyone being in the woods with a gun - and not having a license.  It's when you intend to hunt and shoot game animals that you need a license.

That said - some states have had issues with anti-hunting groups sneaking into the woods to scare animals away from hunters.  So long as your friend does not intentionally interfere with the hunters - he is fine.  If your state has instituted a new hunter anti-harassment law - then you need to read it and abide by it.  Your local police might not know anything about this - however your nearest fish and game warden or wildlife protection officer will.  Talk to them - only takes a phone call.  

As a professional Alaskan outdoor photographer - (you can see some of my work at www.northpolegallery.com ) your friend needs to wear all the orange that they can possibably wear while in the woods during deer season.  When I lived in Maine many years ago all sorts of crazies from Mass, New York etc would come up for deer season - these were not hunters - they were inexperienced people with a license and guns in the woods and would shoot anything that moved.  I know of people sitting in their brown pick up that were shot at - mistaken for a deer.  Along with sheep, goats, and cows also shot and mistaken for a deer.

My favorite was while on the Island of Martha's Vinyard - guy had a billie goat strapped to the hood of his car, and swearing it was a deer.  Cops wouldn't let him off the island until he paid restitution to the owner - and for the whole 30 minutes I stood there the guy still swore it was a deer.  

You can't cure stupid.  Men get more stupid the furthur into the woods they go.  Be sure your friend is perpared well.

Hope this helps

Answer 5

Yes, I deer hunt in Wisconsin and we do that all the time.  They MUST be covered in blaze orange.  and can not carry the gun.  They can have the call and scent or what ever.  

Answer 6

Yes as long as they are not aiding or assisting in anyway in the pursuit of game for other Hunters.*  

Answer 7

There is no law against sitting in the woods. The problem is they will make some hunter very mad as there are many things to consider while hunting. Being extremely still and having the right body odor are just two very important things off of the top of my head.



I would not suggest doing it. First of all, even though they shouldn't, some hunters will shoot before they see what they are shooting at. There is a strong possibility that they might get shot.

Also, deer hunters do not want anyone else around, as I said they will get very mad. I would not want to be in the woods and have a hunter with a gun mad at me. You know what I mean!

Answer 8

In my State, it is legal to do so.  Just be sure to wear orange,  some 14 year old killed a woman  about the first of the month.  "I thought it was a bear."

Answer 9

Just be sure you are wearing orange!*

Answer 10

Some good wisdom except the part about wearing brown clothes w/ the white patch, a little sick , but it makes the point.

Dont want to look like Bambi's momma.

Know a guy who got knicked while chuck hunting in an open field  wearing a brown bomber jacket w/ fur collar.

I spend a fair amount of time in the woods & have seen birders & "camera hunters" dressed in  camo or orange even in off season.

I stay away from hunting areas for all the reasons given & then some even though it is legal if you do not have a weapon  / tags & are not participating (at least around here).

Best regards

Answer 11

you can sit in the woods but be sure to wear hunter blaze orange so you are not mistaken as a deer also the bystander should not carry a firearm or sidearm during hunting.

Answer 12

Certainly, as long as they don't shoot a deer they can be in the woods to their heart's content.  Although I don't know why you'd want to, I went along with my dad hunting one time, but I didn't have my license yet, so I just had to watch while he bagged a lovely buck.  It broke my heart.

Answer 13

yep, wear 100 sq inches of blaze arm, leave your gun at home, and be berwy, berwy, quiet! do a google search for "your state hunting regulations"

Answer 14

By watch I'm guessing going along with the hunter?  If that is the case as long as they are not an active participant in the hunt (calling, rattling, pushing game etc) and not carrying a firearm or bow it is legal in Indiana without a license. Not too long ago everyone hunting in Indiana needed a license (or be license exempt), however that is not the case anymore.

Note; Indiana has an hunter harassment law.  If a person interferes with a legal hunter they are committing a crime.  

For 2008 hunter orange is not required until Nov 6th and after in Indiana.

Answer 15

if by yourself, yes, it is legal

however, there are often regulations that stipulate you cannot accompany another licensed hunter, and here is why.

Guy A has a hunting license, guy B does not.  Guy B wants to go hunting, so he carries around the gun and shoots stuff.  As soon as the game warden comes by, guy B hands the gun to Guy A.

I suspect you simply call your local game warden and ask them. He can tell you if it is legal.  Further, sometimes even if it is against the rules, with prior notice the game warden can give you permission to do just that.  This normally involves giving you a unique case number and any police or other game wardens who see you and stop you, they call in that number and verify a 'special circumstance exemption'

I know a lot of guys who film for hunting shows in areas where it is illegal for a unlicensed person to accompany a hunter have no problems getting exemptions.

Answer 16

Other than trespassing to someone's displeasure, or being mistaken for a blaze orange deer, take munchies and enjoy! Regards, Larry.