The Department of Natural Resources issued an emergency rule last week that means deer hunters can once again use rifles on public land.
The rule is in response to a law state legislators passed earlier this year, which unintentionally prohibited the practice. Bill sponsor Republican Rep. Sean Eberhart of Shelbyville says it was meant to clarify rules regarding the use of high-velocity ammunition on private property.
Under the emergency rule, rifles must fire a bullet of 0.357-inch diameter or larger, have a minimum case length of 1.16 inches and have a maximum case length of 1.8 inches.
Eberhart says he hopes to fix the law when the Legislature reconvenes in January. The DNR's emergency rule expires Feb. 1.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.