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Hunting license for private land?

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aznboi3644:
Ok I checked the Indiana dot gov website and it is not clear whether or not I need a hunting license for hunting on private land.

I remember reading somewhere that stated you do not need a license on private land.

I ask because I'm going hunting this saturday with my friend on his family land(100s of acres).  No DNR or cop to stop us there.

I dont hunt public land much.  I've never bought a hunting license before...fishing yes but hunting never before.

Can anyone clarify this?

JW_Halverson:
I can't speak for Indiana specifically, but the North American Wildlife Model that is the basis for almost all game laws holds wild game to be held in the public trust.  That means that even if it is on private land, the game belongs to the people and is under state management, hence you would need a license.  The license exists as permission of the people of the state to allow you to take game.  It's just democracy in action.  If everyone just took what they wanted we'd have what we had in the late 1800's and early 1900's - no game for anyone.

Bryce H:
State variable. In Indiana, here are the exceptions, regarding private land, from IN.gov (italics mine):

You must have and carry a valid license and applicable state stamps to hunt any wild animal, with exceptions as follows:

Residents or non-residents participating in a field trial sanctioned by the DNR director.
Landowners, or lessees of farmland who farm that land and are residents of Indiana, their spouses and children living with them, while hunting, fishing or trapping on the land they own or lease.  This exemption does not apply to land owned by a business, corporation or partnership unless the shareholders, partners, members or owners are comprised solely of the members of an immediate family and farm that land. Farmland means agricultural land that is devoted or best adaptable for the production of crops, fruits, timber or the raising of livestock, or is assessed as agricultural land for property tax purposes.
The law does not exempt non-residents who lease land in Indiana. Non-resident lessees are still required to purchase non-resident hunting and trapping licenses.
Residents of Indiana engaged in full-time military service and who are carrying their leave orders and a valid Indiana driver’s license or Indiana voter registration card.
Non-resident military personnel on active duty and stationed within Indiana may hunt or fish with a resident license.
An individual who is less than 13 years of age; does not possess a bow or firearm; and is accompanied by an individual who is at least 18 years of age and holds a valid license.

Pat B:
I know that in GA, SC and NC if you own the land and live on it you don't have to have a license. Other than that you do.
  JW gave a very good explaination of why. I've never heard it explained that way but it makes more sense than I've heard before.

crooketarrow:
  Most places landowners can hunt without a lic.

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