There have been several changes to the deer hunting regulations for 2024-25:
- Hunters cannot harvest an antlerless deer with a firearm on the Division of Fish & Wildlife-managed properties or at Salamonie, Mississinewa, and Patoka lakes. The rule previously stated that bonus antlerless deer could not be taken on these properties with a firearm. This rule is essentially the same but clarifies the language to be more specific.
- Portable tree stands, and ground blinds can be placed on DNR properties between noon Sept. 1 and Feb. 8 ONLY in Deer Reduction Zones.
- Infrared sensors (including a drone) can retrieve a legally taken deer.
- With the bundle license, only one antlered and two antlerless deer can be taken (there is no longer an option of three antlerless deer).
- Youth hunters can take no more than one antlerless deer during the youth deer season on Division of Fish & Wildlife managed properties and Salamonie, Mississinewa, and Patoka lakes. Similar restrictions were in place in the past on these DNR properties. Youth hunters can also take one-antlered deer during this season (which would count toward their one-antlered deer for the regular deer seasons).
As always, if you are unsure about deer hunting regulations, call the deer hotline at 812-334-3795 or email your questions to INDeerHotline@dnr.IN.gov.
