INDIANA – Hunters may apply online for the Department of Natural Resources second round of reserved hunts.
This year, instead of one application period for all draws, they are split into a few different date windows. The reason for the change is to help hunters more easily plan for their hunts and thereby increase the number of hunters able to participate.
The online method is the only way to apply for the hunts. No late entries will be accepted. Applicants must possess a hunting license or the hunt which they are applying for and a valid email when applying.
The deadline to apply is Wednesday, September 28, 2022. Results are available within two weeks after the application period has closed.
Hunters will be selected through a random computerized drawing. Draw results will be posted online along with all the information you will need to participate in the hunt if you were successfully drawn. To view draw hunt results, visit https://secure.in.gov/apps/dnr/portal/#/home and click the link to see the status of your reserved hunt registrations or login to your account and view your Hunt Registrations in your online dashboard and email will also be sent to hunters who are drawn for the hunt.
Hunts Currently Taking Applications:
- Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA) Waterfowl:
- Fish & Wildlife areas participating include Goose Pond, Hovey Lake, Kankakee, Kingsbury, and LaSalle. Province Pond Wetland Conservation Area (managed by J.E. Roush Lake FWA) will also be participating. Hunt dates vary by property and can be seen when applying. Drawn hunters may bring up to two hunting partners with them.
- Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA) Deer:
- Deer Creek and Fairbanks Landing FWAs will host reserved firearm hunts. Hunters can apply for the hunt date of Nov. 12-13 for either property. Additional hunt dates of Nov. 14-15 and Nov. 16-19 are available for Deer Creek FWA. Drawn hunters may bring one additional hunting partner with them.
- Indiana Private Lands Access (IPLA) Deer:
- IPLA deer hunts will begin Oct. 1, additional hunt dates and locations can be seen when applying. Drawn hunters may bring one non-hunting partner with them.
- State Park Deer
- State Parks participating include Brown County, Chain O’ Lakes, Charlestown, Fort Harrison, Harmony, Lincoln, McCormick’s Creek, Ouabache, Pokagon, Potato Creek, Prophetstown, Shades, Shakamak, Summit Lake, Tippecanoe River, and Whitewater Memorial. Trine State Recreation Area and Cave River Valley Natural Area are also participating. Hunters can choose to apply for the hunt dates of Nov. 14-15 or Nov. 28-29. Hunters may list up to 2 buddies for each hunt period and must list the hunter’s name when applying. State Park deer hunts are only open to those who have an Indiana resident or lifetime hunting licenses.
- Military and National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Deer:
- Properties participating include Big Oaks NWR and Muscatatuck NWR. A variety of hunt types (firearms, muzzleloader, archery) are available. Hunt dates vary by property and may be assigned. Drawn hunters may bring one hunting partner with them.
- Muscatatuck NWR will host one reserved firearm deer hunt for youth Sept. 24-25. Drawn hunters must be accompanied by an adult 21 years or older.
- Indiana Private Lands Access (IPLA) Game Bird:
- IPLA game bird hunts will begin on Nov. 1. Hunt dates and locations can be seen when applying. Drawn hunters may bring two hunting partners with them.
- November Gamebird Habitat Area (GBA) Pheasant:
- Hunters may choose from a variety of dates in November. Hunters will be assigned to a Fish & Wildlife-managed Gamebird Habitat Area. Drawn hunters may bring two hunting partners with them. Youth hunting opportunities will also be available. These are not put/take pheasant hunts
- Put/Take Pheasant Hunts begin the Saturday before Thanksgiving and continue through the Sunday after Thanksgiving. This year, the Put/Take Pheasant Hunt dates will be Nov. 19–27. Registration costs $30 per slot and is first-come, first-served. Once the daily hunter quota is reached, the area becomes unavailable. Hunters should print their registration confirmation sheet and bring it with them on the day of their hunts. The bag limit is two pheasants per person per day.
- The Fish & Wildlife areas participating in the Put/Take Pheasant Hunts are Atterbury FWA, Glendale FWA, J.E. Roush Lake FWA, Pigeon River FWA, Tri-County FWA, Willow Slough FWA, and Winamac FWA.
- December Gamebird Habitat Area (GBA) Pheasant:
- Hunters may choose from a variety of hunt dates in December. Hunters will be assigned to a Fish & Wildlife-managed Gamebird Habitat Area. Drawn hunters may bring two hunting partners with them. These are not put/take pheasant hunts.
- Indiana Private Lands Access (IPLA) Hunts:
- IPLA will offer reserve hunts for rabbit on private lands. Hunt dates and location will be seen while applying.
Additional Hunting Opportunities:
- Camp Atterbury (National Guard property) has decided to not allocate deer hunting opportunities through the Indiana DNR reservation system. Details on how to apply to hunt deer at Camp Atterbury. Email questions to ng.in.inarng.mbx.hunting-program@army.mil or call 812-5261499, ext. 61375.
- Big Walnut Natural Area – Archery Only
Hunt draw for Big Walnut Nature Preserve and Natural Areas; Putnam County. In-person draw will be on Thursday, July 21 at 10 a.m. ET in the north parking lot of North Putnam High School, 8905 N Co Rd 250 E, Roachdale, IN 46172. Please show up early for draw registration. Firearms are not allowed on school property. Applicants must possess a license to hunt deer to apply. Contact Andrew Reuter at areuter@dnr.IN.gov for additional information.
Available dates:- Archery Use Only Season
- Oct. 15 – Dec. 18, 2022
- 10 individuals drawn
- Portland Arch Nature Preserve – Archery Use Only:
Hunt draw for Portland Arch Nature Preserve and Natural Areas; Fountain County. In-person draw will be on Thursday, July 21 at 1:30 p.m. ET in the main parking lot of Fountain Central Middle School, 750 East US Highway 136, Veedersburg, IN 47987. Please show up early for draw registration. Please park near the tennis courts. Firearms are not allowed on school property. Applicants must possess a license to hunt deer in order to apply. Contact Andrew Reuter at areuter@dnr.IN.gov for additional information.
Available dates:- Archery Use Only Season
- Oct. 15 – Dec. 18, 2022
- 10 individuals drawn
- Buss Conservation Area – Archery Use Only:
Hunt draw for Buss Conservation Area; White County. In-person draw will be on Tuesday, July 26 at 11 a.m. ET in the parking area of the Buss Conservation Area, White County. Coordinates are as follows: 40.847211, -86.774435. Closest address is a private property located directly south of the parking area, 6439 N W Shafer Dr., Monticello, IN 47960. DO NOT pull onto private property. Please show up early for draw registration. Applicants must possess a license to hunt deer to apply. Contact Andrew Reuter at areuter@dnr.IN.gov for additional information.
Available dates:- Archery Use Only Season
- Oct. 15 – Dec. 18, 2022
- 7 individuals drawn for archery use during above listed dates at BCA
- Tern Bar Slough WDCA in Gibson County will host reserved deer hunts during youth, archery, firearms, and muzzleloader seasons. An in-person draw will be held at Sugar Ridge FWA on Saturday, Aug. 6 at 11 a.m. ET to allocate draw dates. Please call the Sugar Ridge FWA office for additional details 812-789-2724.
