INDIANA – Beginning July 1, hunters can apply for a variety of reserved hunts online by visiting on.IN.gov/reservedhunt.
This year, instead of one application period for all the draws, they are split into a few different date windows. The reason for the change is to help hunters more easily plan their hunts and thus increase the number of hunters that can participate.
The online method is the only way to apply for the hunts listed below. Late entries will not be accepted. Applicants must possess a hunting license that is valid for the hunt they are applying for.
Hunters will be selected through a random computerized drawing. Applicants will be able to view the lottery results online within two weeks of the close of the application period. An email will be sent to all applicants when the drawings have been completed.
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm ET. on August 1 for these hunts:
- Dove hunting in the Atterbury, Goose Pond, Jasper-Pulaski, Kankakee, Kingsbury, Pigeon River, Willow Slough and Winamac Fish & Wildlife (FWA) areas.
- Youth Deer Hunt at the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge on September 24-25.
- The Indiana Private Lands Access (IPLA) Preserve searches for squirrels and young deer on private land. See hunting dates and locations when applying.
Applications for the following hunting opportunities open on August 22nd. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm ET on September 23:
- FWA Waterfowl Hunts: Participating FWAs include Goose Pond, Hovey Lake, Kingsbury, Kankakee, and LaSalle. The Province Pond Wetlands Conservation Area, managed by the JE Roush Lake FWA, will also participate.
- FWA Deer Hunting: Deer Creek and Fairbanks Landing will host seasonal firearms hunts.
- Deer Hunting in State Parks: Participating state parks include Brown County, Chain O’Lakes, Charlestown, Fort Harrison, Harmonie, Lincoln, McCormick’s Creek, Ouabache, Pokagon and Potato Creek, Prophetstown, Shades, Shakamak, Summit Lake, Tippecanoe River, and Whitewater Memorial. Trine State Recreation Area and Cave River Valley Natural Area will also participate.
- Deer Hunting in the Wildlife Refuge (NWR): Participating properties include Big Oaks and Muscatatuck, each of which will attract archery, firearms and muzzleloader deer hunting.
- November Gamebird Area Hunts (GBA): Reserved hunts will be held in Game Bird Areas in northern Indiana (Benton, Jasper, Newton, Warren and White counties). Hunters can choose from a variety of hunting dates. These are not put/take pheasant hunts.
- Indiana Private Land Access Hunts (IPLA): IPLA will offer reserved hunts for game birds and deer on private land.
Applications for the following hunting opportunities open on October 3rd. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm ET on October 31.
- December Gamebird Area (GBA) Hunts: Reserved hunts will be held in Game Bird Areas in northern Indiana (Benton, Jasper, Newton, Warren and White counties). Hunters can choose from a variety of hunting dates. These are not put/take pheasant hunts.
- Indiana Private Lands Access (IPLA) Hunts: IPLA will offer hunts reserved for rabbits on private lands.
Additional Hunting Opportunities:
- Camp Atterbury (owned by the National Guard) has elected not to allocate deer hunting opportunities through the Indiana DNR reservation system. For details on how to apply for hunting opportunities at Camp Atterbury, see atterbury.isportsman.net. Email questions to [email protected] or call 812-5261499, ext. 61375.
Please note that for all opportunities listed, only one application per search is allowed. No changes can be made once an application is submitted.
The application process is now consolidated on the online services website along with licenses, CheckIN play, and HIP registration. An online account is not required to apply, but you must have a customer identification number.
Hunts without a registration fee will follow the same process as those with a fee. To register for free hunts, applicants will be prompted to “Add to Cart,” “Proceed to Checkout,” and “Place Order.” If the transaction total is $0, the applicant will not be prompted to enter credit card information. Applicants must place an order to submit their applications.
To view lottery results, applicants can log in to their online services account or click “View Search Lottery Results” at on.IN.gov/reservedhunt. From there, applicants must select “Click Here” under Reserved Hunts to view the status of registered hunts. The link will only display upcoming hunts that a person has signed up for. An online account login is required to view the full history of previous hunt records.
More information is available at on.IN.gov/reservedhunt.