INDIANA – Preparing for deer hunting. Make sure to bring and wear your blaze orange item of clothing, your firearm or bow, and a print or digital copy of your hunting license.
Firearm season begins on Saturday, November 16, and ends on Sunday, December 1.
If you haven’t bought your deer license yet, consider purchasing the Department of Natural Resources’ Deer License Bundle for the season. The Deer License Bundle includes privileges to harvest two antlerless deer plus one antlered deer. It can be used in particular youth, archery, firearms, muzzleloader, and special antlerless deer seasons.
The final free youth hunting days for younger hunters in 2024 are Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. The DNR youth hunts webpage has more information.
Deer season in Indiana for 2024–2025 began on September 15 and runs through January 31, 2025. The season is broken down into different types of hunting, with specific dates for each:
- Reduction Zone: September 15, 2024–January 31, 2025
- Youth: September 28–29, 2024
- Archery: October 1, 2024–January 5, 2025
- Firearms: November 16–December 1, 2024
- Muzzleloader: December 7–22, 2024
Deer hunting is permitted from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources establishes deer hunting seasons to protect the deer population, maintain ecological balance, and ensure fair access.
You can find more information about deer hunting in Indiana, including bag limits, at wildlife.IN.gov.
If you have questions about equipment, regulations, or which license you need, contact the Deer Hotline at 812-334-3795 or emailing indeerhotline@dnr.IN.gov.
Remember to buy your deer license early. Find a list of licensed retailers online and check your license for accuracy before leaving the store. If you plan to purchase your license online, log into your Access Indiana account before the season begins—don’t risk delays.
For questions about the CheckIN Game system, your online license system account, license-purchasing errors, or deer control permits, email inhuntfish@dnr.IN.gov or call 317-232-4082.
