INDIANAPOLIS (WANE) — Hunters will soon be able to request reserved hunts during a variety of seasons and properties in Indiana.
The Indiana DNR said hunters can apply for a variety of reserved hunts online beginning Friday.
This year, DNR said, 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 who can participate, according to the DNR.
Here are the opportunities:
Applications for the following hunting opportunities open July 1. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm ET on August 1:
- pigeon hunting: Applicants can select the desired date and property. Due to inclement spring weather, other crops may have been planted instead of or along with the sunflowers. Participating properties include the following Fish and Wildlife Areas (FWAs): Atterbury, Goose Pond, Jasper-Pulaski, Kankakee, Kingsbury, Pigeon River, Willow Slough, and Winamac.
- Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge Youth Deer Hunt: Muscatatuck NWR will host a youth-only firearm deer hunt September 24-25.
- Indiana Private Land Access Hunts (IPLA): IPLA will offer reserved hunts for squirrels and young deer on private land. Hunting dates and locations can be viewed when applying.
Applications for the following hunting opportunities open August 22. 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, 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 October 3. 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 Land Access Hunts (IPLA): IPLA will offer reserved rabbit hunts on private land.
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.
Hunters can apply for a reserved hunt online at on.IN.gov/reservedhunt. Only one application per hunt is allowed.
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.
Applicants must possess a hunting license that is valid for the hunt they are applying for.