Hunters in Indiana will be able to request reserved hunts for various seasons and locations throughout the state.
Hunting is a big problem here in Indiana. We have several excellent public hunting places in every state that
According to the Indiana DNR, instead of one application period for all the draws, they are divided into a few different date windows. DNR says the reason for this is to make it easier to help hunters plan their hunts, which, in turn, will increase the number of hunters who can participate.
Indiana hunters only need to complete one application per hunt. Applications for reserved hunts can be found by clicking here. You must have a hunting license that is valid for the type of reserved hunting you are applying for. The Indiana DNR says the 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.
Someone holding a compound hunting bow and arrow
According to the Indiana DNR, these are all the hunting opportunities in store for Indiana hunters in 2022:
Fish and Wildlife Area (FWA) Pigeon:
Participating fish and wildlife areas include Goose Pond, Atterbury, Winamac, Willow Slough, Kingsbury, Kankakee, Pigeon River, and Jasper-Pulaski. Hunting dates vary by property and can be viewed when applying. Drawn hunters can bring a hunting partner with them.
Young Muscatatuck Deer (NWR):
Muscatatuck NWR will host a youth-only firearm deer hunt September 24-25. Drawn hunters must be accompanied by an adult 21 years of age or older.
Indiana Private Lands Access (IPLA) Squirrel and young deer:
IPLA will offer reserve hunts for squirrels and young deer. Hunting dates and locations can be viewed when applying.
Applications for the following hunts will be open on August 22 and close on September 23:
Fish and Wildlife Area (FWA) Waterfowl:
Participating fish and wildlife areas include Goose Pond, Hovey Lake, Kankakee, Kingsbury and LaSalle. The Province Pond Wetlands Conservation Area (managed by the JE Roush Lake FWA) will also participate. Hunt dates vary by property and can be viewed when applying. Drawn hunters can bring up to two hunting companions with them.
Fish and Wildlife Area (FWA) Deer:
The Deer Creek and Fairbanks Landing FWAs will host reserved firearms hunts. Hunters can request a hunt date of November 12-13 for any of the properties. Additional hunt dates of November 14-15 and November 16-19 are available for Deer Creek FWA. Drawn hunters can bring an additional hunting partner with them.
Indiana Private Land Access Deer (IPLA):
IPLA deer hunts will begin October 1, additional hunt dates and locations can be viewed when applying. Drawn hunters can bring one not hunting associate with them.
state park deer
Participating state parks include Brown County, Chain O’ Lakes, Charlestown, Fort Harrison, Harmony, 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 also participate. Hunters can choose to request hunt dates November 14-15 or November 28-29. Hunters may list up to 2 buddies for each hunting period and must include the hunter’s name when applying. State park deer hunts are only open to those who have an Indiana resident or lifetime hunting licenses.
National Military and Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Deer:
Participating properties include Big Oaks NWR and Muscatatuck NWR. A variety of hunting types (firearms, muzzleloaders, archery) are available. Hunt dates vary by property and may be assigned. Drawn hunters can bring a hunting partner with them.
Muscatatuck NWR will host a youth-only firearm deer hunt September 24-25. Drawn hunters must be accompanied by an adult 21 years of age or older.
Indiana Private Land Access (IPLA) Game Bird:
IPLA gamefowl hunts will begin on November 1. Hunt dates and locations can be viewed when applying. Drawn hunters can bring two hunting companions with them.
November Gamebird Habitat Area (GBA) Pheasant:
Hunters can choose from a variety of dates in November. Hunters will be assigned to a Game Bird Habitat Area managed by Fish and Wildlife. Drawn hunters can bring two hunting companions with them. There will also be hunting opportunities for youth. These are not put/take pheasant hunts.
Applications for the following hunts will be open on October 3 and will close on October 31:
December Game Bird Habitat Area (GBA) Pheasant:
Hunters can choose from a variety of hunting dates in December. Hunters will be assigned to a Game Bird Habitat Area managed by Fish and Wildlife. Drawn hunters can bring two hunting companions with them. These are not put/take pheasant hunts.
Indiana Private Land Access Hunts (IPLA):
IPLA will offer reserve hunts for rabbits on private land. The dates and location of the hunt will be seen during the application.
*The Game Bird Habitat Area (GBA) pheasant hunts have been split into two separate online drawings for 2022. The Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) has made this change to allow people to apply for pheasant hunts. GBA pheasants closer to actual hunting dates. By making this change, DFW hopes to improve the no-show rates (rate at which people requesting a hunt are enticed and do not show up for their hunt) of GBA pheasant hunts.
Additional Hunting Opportunities:
Camp Atterbury (owned by the National Guard) has decided not to allocate deer hunting opportunities through the Indiana DNR reservation system. Details on how to apply to hunt deer at Camp Atterbury. Email questions to [email protected] or call 812-5261499, ext. 61375.
hunter man crawling in the swamp during the hunting period