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Reserved Hunt Information

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Basics

What do I need to apply?

  • A valid hunting license for the species you intend to hunt for that season/equipment.
  • A valid email address for confirmation of application submission.

How do I know if my application is complete?

  • You will receive a confirmation email sent to the email address you provided.
  • After you have submitted your application, PRINT or SAVE your confirmation page. Once you have applied, you can double-check if the application was submitted successfully by logging back into the reserved hunt system. If a hunt choice is still in the drop-down box, you did not successfully apply. The system will not allow you to apply for the same hunt more than once. So, if the hunt shows up in your drop-down box, then you need to apply.
  • The website will have you add the hunt you apply for to the "Shopping Cart," and you will be asked to "Check Out" and "Place Order, even though there is no fee. You will need to place your order in the cart to submit your application.

Other Important Information

  • Once you have submitted your hunt application, you cannot change it. If you need to update your contact information, you may do so by logging into the reserved hunt system.

Results

  • Hunters will be selected through a random computerized drawing.
  • An email will be sent to applicants who are drawn, as well as those who are not drawn, once the draw has been completed.
  • Results are available within two weeks after the application period has closed.
  • To view draw hunt results, go to: 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. The link from the home page will only show hunts that you registered for when the date of the hunt is still upcoming. Logging in to your account online is required for you to see the full history of your past hunt registrations (previous years).

Hunts Currently Taking Applications or Opening Soon

Hunt dates vary by property.  If a date is listed below and it is not associated with a specific property, it means at least one listed property is offering a hunt on that date. Not all properties may be offering hunts for all the dates listed. 

Applications for the following hunting opportunities open July 6 and must be submitted online by 11:59 pm on August 17:

DOVE DRAW

  • Reserved dove hunts will take place on Sept. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
  • Properties participating include Atterbury, Goose Pond, Jasper-Pulaski, Kankakee, Kingsbury, Pigeon River, Glendale, JE Roush, Willow Slough and Winamac Fish & Wildlife Areas.

GBA PHEASANT DRAW (NOT PUT/TAKE)

  • Reserved pheasant hunts will take place on Nov. 1st, 4th, 11th, 14th, 18th, 21st, 25th, and 28th and Dec. 2nd, 5th, 9th, and 12th.
  • The November 7 hunt is reserved for youth (ages 17 and younger) only. Only one application per pheasant hunt is allowed.

WATERFOWL DRAW

  • Reserved waterfowl hunt dates vary by property.  Hunts include dates in October, November, December, and January.   
  • Participating Fish & Wildlife Areas include Goose Pond, Hovey Lake, Kankakee, Kingsbury, LaSalle and Willow Slough. Province Pond Wetland Conservation Area and Monroe Reservoir will also be participating.

 

DEER DRAW

FISH & WILDLIFE AREAS

  • Participating properties and hunt dates include:
    • Deer Creek Fish & Wildlife Area
      • Nov. 14-15, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21, 23, 24-25, 26-27, 28-29
    • Fairbanks Landing Fish & Wildlife Area
      • Nov. 14-15
    • Tern Bar Slough Wildlife Diversity Conservation Area
      • Oct. 1-4, 7-11, 14-18, 21-25, 28-Nov. 1
      • Nov. 4-8
      • Dec. 2-6, 9-13, 16-20, 23-27, 30-Jan. 3

STATE PARK DEER MANAGEMENT DRAW

  • Early Hunt:  November 16-17, 2020. Late Hunt:  November 30-December 1, 2020.
  • Considerations when applying for a State Park hunt
  • Applicants must possess any valid license to take a deer in Indiana at the time of the application, not including apprentice licenses.
  • Applicants must be Indiana residents (or possess a valid lifetime comprehensive hunting license to take deer in Indiana), be 18 years of age by the date of the first hunt, and must possess the proper licenses to hunt deer in order to apply. Once you have submitted your application online, you cannot change your information.
  • Primary applicants can apply by themselves or with up to two secondary applicants (buddies). There is no preference in the draw based on whether it is an application with buddies or not. You must apply with your buddies’ information included in your application in order for them to participate. This includes their Customer ID number and date of birth. A buddy cannot apply separately for that hunt period.
  • The secondary applicants must still meet all age, residency, and licensing requirements of the State Parks deer management hunts as described above.
  • Each applicant may appear on only one application per hunt period.
  • It is critical that thorough and valid contact information be included on the application for both primary and secondary applicants. If successfully drawn, key information regarding the management hunts may be sent to you using this contact information.
  • 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.
  • For successful applicants, deer harvested at a State Park Management Hunt are in addition to regular deer-season bag limits. You do not need to purchase additional licenses to harvest deer if participating in the management hunt. For questions regarding State Park Deer Management Hunts, please contact DNR's Division of State Parks at 317-232-4200.
  • Available state parks in 2020: Brown County State Park, Chain O'Lakes State Park, Charlestown State Park, Fort Harrison State Park (archery only), Harmonie State Park, Lincoln State Park, McCormick's Creek State Park, Ouabache State Park, Pokagon State Park, Potato Creek State Park, Prophetstown State Park, Shades State Park, Spring Mill State Park, Trine State Recreation Area (archery only), Turkey Run State Park, Versailles State Park, and Whitewater Memorial State Park.

NATURE PRESERVES

  • Reserved deer hunts will take place on Nov. 19-20 at Shrader-Weaver Nature Preserve in Connersville (Fayette County).

MILITARY REFUGES

  • Properties participating include and hunt dates include:
    •  Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center
      • Oct. 11-12, 18
      • Nov. 1, 28-29
    • Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge
      • Oct. 10-11, 17-18, 24-25
      • Nov. 1, 7, 8, 14-15, 21-22
    • Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
      • Sept. 26-27 (youth dates only)
      • Dec. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
  • Please note that hunts on military/refuge properties may be cancelled at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions