INDIANA (WEHT) – Hunters will have to use a new system for submitting reserve hunting requests.
The Indiana DNR says that beginning July 1, hunters can order a variety of reserved hunts online by visiting this website. 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.
Indiana DNR says the online method is the only way to apply for the hunts listed below, and late entries will not be accepted. Applicants must have a valid hunting license for the hunt they are applying for, and hunters will be selected by random 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 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. The properties include the following Fish and Wildlife Areas (FWAs):
- Atterbury
- goose pond
- Jasper Pulaski
- Kankakee
- Kingsbury
- pigeon river
- willow swamp
- Winamac
- 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. The properties include the following Fish and Wildlife Areas (FWAs):
- 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
- La Salle
- Provincial Lagoon Wetland Conservation Area
- Participating FWAs include:
- FWA Deer Hunting:
- Deer Creek and Fairbanks Landing will host seasonal firearms hunts.
- Deer Hunting in State Parks:
- Participating state parks include:
- brown county
- O’Lakes Chain
- charlestown
- Fort Harrison
- Harmony
- lincoln
- McCormick Creek
- Ouabache, Pokagon
- potato creek
- Village of the Prophets
- Shades
- Shakamak
- summit lake
- Tippecanoe River
- Whitewater Monument
- Trine State Recreation Area and Cave River Valley Natural Area
- Participating state parks include:
- 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 this website. Email questions to [email protected] or call 812-526-1499, ext. 61375.
The Indiana DNR says for people to note that for all of the 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. Indiana DNR says hunts without a registration fee will follow the same process as those with a fee.
To view the results of the sweepstakes, applicants may log in to their online services account or click “View Search Sweepstakes Results” on this website. More information is available here.