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Reserved Hunt Information

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Inclement spring weather has impacted property management efforts at some Fish & Wildlife Areas. Hunting conditions this year may differ from years past. If you have questions about specific properties, please contact that property directly.

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

  • Results are typically posted within two weeks after the application period has closed.
  • To view draw results, go to https://secure.in.gov/apps/dnr/portal/#/home, log in to your account, and select “View Registrations” in your online dashboard.
  • If you do not have an account, please select “click here” to see the results of your registered hunts on the far right “Reserved Hunts” box. You will need your customer ID and date of birth.

Hunts Currently Taking Applications or Opening Soon

APPLE (Access Program Providing Land Enhancements) Gamebird Hunts

  • Applications are accepted online Aug. 13 through Sept. 23, 2019.
  • APPLE properties are privately owned and offered through the Grasslands for Gamebirds and Songbirds program.
  • Hunters may apply for one hunt period. Successfully drawn hunters will be assigned an APPLE property.
  • To give drawn hunters more scheduling flexibility and to account for inclement weather, a choice of hunting one of the two dates is available. You may only hunt one of the selected dates.
  • Successfully drawn hunters may bring up to two hunting partners with them on their hunt.
  • Quail, pheasant,and woodcock hunting is permitted on APPLE properties.

Youth Deer Hunts at Muscatatuck NWR

  • Applications are accepted online July 1 through Aug. 26, 2019.
  • Youth must be age 17 or younger on the hunt date and accompanied by a mentor, defined as a licensed hunter, 18 years old or older. The mentor is not eligible to hunt or carry a firearm during this hunt.

Deer Hunts

  • Applications are accepted online July 1 through Aug. 26, 2019.
  • Properties: Deer Creek Fish & Wildlife Area, Tern Bar Slough Wildlife Diversity Conservation Area, Fairbanks Landing Fish & Wildlife Area, Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, and Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge.

Military/Refuge Hunts

  • Applications are accepted online July 1 through Aug. 26, 2019.
  • Properties: Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, and Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge.

Youth Pheasant Hunts

  • Applications are accepted online July 1 through Sept. 16, 2019.
  • Youth must be age 17 or younger on the hunt date and accompanied by a mentor, defined as a licensed hunter, 18 years old or older. The mentor is not eligible to hunt or carry a firearm during this hunt.

Pheasant Hunts

  • Applications are accepted online July 1 through Sept. 16, 2019.
  • Hunt dates and Game Bird Areas are chosen through a random draw.

Waterfowl Hunts

  • Applications are accepted July 1 through Sept. 16, 2019
  • Properties participating are Goose Pond, Hovey Lake, Kankakee, Kingsbury, LaSalle, and Willow Slough Fish & Wildlife Areas. Monroe Reservoir and Province Pond Wetland Conservation Area are also participating.

State Park Deer Management Draw Hunts

Applications are accepted online July 15 through Aug. 26, 2019.

  • 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 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 on your application in order for them to participate. This includes deer license number and date of birth.
  • 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 2019: Chain O’ Lakes State Park, Charlestown State Park, Clifty Falls State Park (archery only), Fort Harrison State Park (archery only), Harmonie State Park, Indiana Dunes State Park, McCormick’s Creek State Park, Ouabache State Park, Pokagon State Park, Prophetstown State Park, Shakamak State Park, Spring Mill State Park and Cave River Valley Natural Area (drawn and managed together), Summit Lake State Park, Tippecanoe River State Park, Trine State Recreation Area (archery only), and Whitewater Memorial State Park.
  • Early Hunt: Nov. 18-19, 2019. Late Hunt: Dec. 2-3, 2019.
  • Important information for 2019 deer management hunts at Indiana State Parks.

Put/Take Hunts

  • Hunters can reserve put/take pheasant hunts at on.IN.gov/reservedhunt from 6 a.m. ET Sept. 7 until midnight Nov. 30. You must register online. Hunts are no longer available first-come, first-served at the properties.
  • Participating properties: Atterbury, Glendale, J. E. Roush Lake, Pigeon River, Tri-County, Willow Slough, and Winamac Fish & Wildlife Areas.
  • There is a fee of $30 per person to participate in put/take hunts.
  • Hunters can select the date, property, and area for their hunt.
  • Pheasant hunters in designated put/take areas are prohibited from harvesting game animals other than pheasants on days when pheasants are released and hunted.
  • All hunters are required to have a current Indiana Hunting License and Gamebird Habitat Stamp to participate in this hunt. 

Nature Preserves Deer Management Hunts

  • Applications are accepted online from 8/12/2019 until  8/26/2019.
  • Archery only.
  • Property: Big Walnut Natural Area (BWNA) located in Putnam County
  • Hunt Dates:
    • Nov. 1, 2019–Nov. 21, 2019
    • Nov. 22, 2019-Dec 12, 2019
    • Dec. 13, 2019-Jan. 5, 2020
  • Deer management hunts on Nature Preserve properties are based on ecological objectives and are used as a management tool; trophy hunting is not the mission. Please DO NOT apply if you are planning on passing on a doe or smaller buck.
  • Successfully drawn applicants are allowed to bring one hunting partner. Both individuals will be required to hunt near each other. Hunting partner is not allowed without the drawn applicant present.

Frequently Asked Questions