The Indiana Department of Natural Resources will be holding two public hearings in July for hunters and anyone else who wants to share their opinions on the proposed changes to the deer hunting seasons.

The first hearing is July 25 in Mitchell at Spring Mill State Park.  It starts at 6:00 p.m.

The second, which is the closest one to the Lafayette-area, is at the Miami County Fairgrounds in Peru on Tuesday, July 26 at 6:00 p.m.

The public will have a chance to weigh-in on the Natural Resources Commission’s proposed rule changes for deer hunting.

Some changes are for safety – including a certain amount of hunter orange on ground blinds.

Others are for equipment – including crossbows being allowed to be used by any hunter with a new special crossbow license.

But the possible changes of highest interest to most hunters would be adding an antlerless-only season from December 26 through the first Sunday in January.  The season would be added in certain counties with an antlerless quota of 4 or more.

There is also a proposal to add a license bundle which would include tags for multiple seasons.

For more information, including all the rules changes go to http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2362.htm.