INDIANA LAWS & REGULATIONS

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Wondering what the Laws and Regulations are for Hunting in Indiana?

The mission of the Division of Fish and Wildlife is to enrich the quality of life for present and future generations by balancing the biological, ecological, recreational, and economic benefits of Indiana’s fish, wildlife and their habitats. As hunting season begins in Indiana, all hunters must have a valid hunting license along with other required permits and stamps depending on the hunted specie. It is unlawful that hunters trespass private land without permission as well as surpassing the daily limit. State law prohibits the use of aircrafts as an aid to locate game and hunt in a powered-on vehicle. It is also illegal to shoot across public roads and waters, and kill or shoot-at any game without the intention of retrieving it.

*Visit Indiana’s Hunting and Trapping Guide for More Information*

FEATURED ANIMALS

Wild Turkey

Indiana is best known for their Wild Turkey Hunting. To hunt wild turkey, a valid turkey hunting license and Game Bird Habitat Stamp are required. The bag limit is one bearded or male turkey for the spring season. Spring turkey hunting is allowed statewide. Immediately upon killing a turkey, the hunter must complete a temporary transportation tag on paper stating the hunter’s full name, address, sex of the turkey, license number (if applicable), and the date the turkey was taken before transporting the turkey from the field.

Youth Season: Apr. 17 & 18, 2021
Spring Season: Apr. 21, 2021-May 9, 2021
Fall-Archery Season: * Oct.1, 2020-Nov.1, 2020; Dec.5, 2020-Jan.3, 2021
Fall-Firearm Season: * Oct. 21, 2020-Nov. 1, 2020

*Seasons may vary for more information – Visit Indiana’s Turkey Guide*

Deer

Unless exempt (see License Information), an individual must have a signed or digital deer hunting, resident youth hunt/trap, lifetime comprehensive hunting, or lifetime comprehensive hunting/fishing license when hunting deer on public or private land. An antlered deer must have at least one antler that is at least three inches long. In addition to statewide bag limits, deer reduction zones, previously called urban deer zones, give hunters opportunities to harvest deer in defined urban areas with high deer densities.

Immediately upon killing a deer, the hunter must complete a temporary tag on paper. A hunter is not required to place the tag on the deer while dragging it out of the field as long as the hunter has filled out and is carrying the required information.

Reduction Zone:* Sept. 15, 2020-Jan. 31, 2021
Youth: Sept. 26 & 27, 2020
Archery: Oct. 1, 2020-Jan. 3, 2021
Firearms: Nov. 14, 2020-Nov. 29, 2020
Muzzleloader: Dec. 5, 2020-Dec. 20, 2020
Special Antlerless: ** Dec. 26, 2020-Jan. 3, 2021

*Seasons differ based on sex, antlerless and buck hunts in different zones – Visit Indiana’s Deer Hunting Guide for specific zones*

Ducks

Anyone hunting migratory gamebirds (ducks, mergansers, coots, geese, doves, woodcock, sora, snipe) must have an Indiana hunting license and a HIP registration number. An Indiana waterfowl stamp privilege, purchased through a local retailer (see page 1), is also required for hunting ducks and geese. A game bird habitat stamp also is required to hunt mourning doves.Licenses and stamp privileges are available from retailers and most Department of Natural Resources properties throughout the state.Resident and non-resident youth age 17 or younger are exempt from needing a state migratory waterfowl stamp.