Here’s a roundup of Indiana’s fall game hunting seasons for 2024, especially at the northern end of the state.
As usual, let's start with a few things you’ll want to know:
Deer hunts at state parks
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources opened applications on Oct. 7 for hunters to participate in deer management hunts at Indiana State Parks.
The early hunts will be Nov. 18-19 and the late hunts on Dec. 2-3.
More: What you need to know about Michigan fall hunting seasons for 2024
The hunts help to control deer populations only in parks where needed, which the state says is based on scientific monitoring, to protect native plant life and to maintain healthy deer populations.
The only way for hunters to apply is via on.IN.gov/reservedhunt. They will be selected through a random computerized drawing, and the results will be posted via a link at that site once they’re complete.
The DNR says that firearm hunts include any firearm legal to take deer on public land in Indiana. Archery hunts include any archery equipment legal to take deer in Indiana, including crossbows.
DNR officials say the applications are opening a bit later than usual because of a new regulatory review process.
Applications are due Oct. 27. Applicants must be Indiana residents or have a valid lifetime license to take deer in Indiana. They also must be at least 18 years old.
The hunts will be at the following state parks and recreation areas: Brown County, Chain O’Lakes, Charlestown, Clifty Falls (archery only), Fort Harrison (archery only), Harmonie, Lincoln, McCormick’s Creek, O’Bannon Woods, Ouabache, Pokagon, Potato Creek, Prophetstown, Shades, Shakamak, Spring Mill, Summit Lake, Tippecanoe River (archery only), Turkey Run, Versailles and Whitewater Memorial. Hunts will also be at Cave River Valley Natural Area, Raccoon and Trine state recreation areas.
Deer hunts at Spicer Lake
St. Joseph County Parks is taking applications from hunters to help with deer management this fall at Spicer Lake Nature Preserve in New Carlisle in order to protect native plants and native habitats.
Applications are due Oct. 11. The deer hunts will be Nov. 16-17 and Nov. 23-24, during which the park will be closed.
The hunt will be for antlerless deer. Three hunters will be selected by lottery, with one as an alternate. They must have a valid deer license bundle, bonus antlerless or lifetime comprehensive license.
Find applications at www.sjcparks.org .
Put-and-take pheasant hunts
Indiana has opened registration for put-and-take pheasant hunts, which will be available at the following Fish & Wildlife areas: Atterbury, Glendale, J.E. Roush Lake, Pigeon River, Tri-County, Willow Slough and Winamac.
The hunts themselves take place from Nov. 23 to Dec. 1. But registration will go through the end of the hunting period or until hunts are sold out. Cost is $30 per licensed hunter and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the daily hunter quota is reached for each site, the location will be listed as unavailable. The bag limit is two pheasants per person, per day.
Register at on.IN.gov/reservedhunt .
Do I need an Indiana hunting license?
All game require a valid Indiana hunting license .
For bag limits and a lot more details, including the ins and outs of hunting licenses, visit Indiana’s 2024-’25 “Hunting and Trapping Guide.”
What to do with leftovers from deer hunting in Indiana
If you have a deer to spare, you can donate it to feed hungry Hoosiers in need. You won’t have to pay for processing, thanks to the Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund that's run by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The meat will go to food banks. To learn how, visit sbf.IN.gov .
What to do about poaching?
You can report poaching in Indiana through the nonprofit conservation organization Turn In a Poacher, Inc. TIP works with the DNR.
Report potential violations that you see or hear about — be it fish or wildlife — at 800-TIP-IDNR (800-847-4367) or tip.IN.gov .
If your “TIP” leads to an arrest, you may receive as much as a $500 reward, or you may remain anonymous if you choose.
Beaver hunting in Indiana
Beaver trapping is allowed from Nov. 15 to March 15.
Coyote and striped skunk hunting in Indiana
Coyote and striped skunk season runs from Oct. 15 to March 15.
Deer hunting in Indiana
For deer , the season for youth to hunt was Sept. 28-29. Archery season is Oct. 1 to Jan. 5. Firearms season is Nov. 16 to Dec. 1. Muzzleloader season is Dec. 7-22. The permitted hours are from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset.
Beware: Viral disease EHD claiming deer in some Indiana counties. Here's what it means.
Gray and fox squirrel hunting in Indiana
The squirrel season began Aug. 15 and runs until Jan. 31.
Pheasant (cock only) hunting in Indiana
The pheasant season is Nov. 1 to Dec. 15.
Quail hunting in Indiana
North of Interstate 74, the quail season is Nov. 1 to Dec. 15.
Rabbit hunting in Indiana
Rabbit season is from Nov. 1 to Feb. 28.
Mourning Dove hunting in Indiana
The seasons for mourning doves are Sept. 1 to Oct. 20, Nov. 1 to Dec. 1 and Dec. 21-29.
Snipe (the bird, not the joke) hunting in Indiana
The snipe season is Sept. 1 to Dec. 16.
Turkey hunting in Indiana
Fall archery season is Oct. 1-27 and Dec. 7 to Jan. 5. This includes crossbows. The fall firearms season is Oct. 16-27. The youth spring hunt season is April 19-20, 2025. The overall spring season is April 23 to May 11, 2025.
Woodcock hunting in Indiana
The woodcock season is Oct. 15 to Nov. 28.
Sora rail hunting in Indiana
The sora rail season started Sept. 1 and runs until Nov. 9.
Ducks, coots and mergansers hunting in Indiana
In Indiana’s northern zone, the seasons for ducks, coots and mergansers are Oct. 19 to Dec. 8 and Dec. 28 to Jan. 5.
Find columnist Joseph Dits on Facebook at SBTOutdoorAdventures or 574-235-6158 or jdits@sbtinfo.com .
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Check dates, important tips in our roundup up of Indiana fall hunting seasons for 2024
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