Hunt periods, area maps, and property specific restrictions are included in the hunter information PDF packets below. You must obtain a valid hunting license and applicable stamp, if required, prior to applying. Late applications will not be accepted.
National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) (Application period: 07/09 - 07/30/2025) EXPIRED
Fish & Wildlife Areas (FWA) and Nature Preserves (Application period: 8/18 - 9/17/2025)
- Baseline Barrens Nature Preserve
- Bloomfield Barrens Nature Preserve
- Bluffs of Beaver Bend Nature Preserve
- Busseron Creek FWA
- Deer Creek
- Fairbanks Landing
- Moraine Nature Preserve
In-person Nature Preserves Deer Hunt Draws
Hoosier Prairie Nature Preserve Deer Hunt, Schererville, IN – 225 acres
- Draw Date: 10 a.m. CT on Sept. 6, 2025
- Hunt Dates: Nov. 1-30, 2025
- Allowed Equipment: Archery
Drawing will be held at the LaSalle FWA check station. Hunters will draw for six, five-day hunt periods with a maximum of 4 hunters per hunt period. All hunters must have their deer hunting licenses on the day of the draw and attend in person. A hunting packet containing maps, delineated hunting zones, property regulations, deer stand requirements, parking, etc. will be provided to successfully drawn hunters.
For questions, please call the LaSalle Check Station at 219-992-3019 (Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-3 p.m.) or email LaSalleFWA@dnr.IN.gov
Limberlost Swamp Nature Preserve, Adams and Jay County, IN - 290 acres
- Draw Date: 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 5, 2025
- Hunt Dates: Nov. 15-30, 2025 (firearms) and Dec. 6-21 (muzzleloaders)
- Allowed Equipment: Rifle, handgun, shotgun (Nov. 15-30) and muzzleloader (Dec. 6-21)
Drawing will be held at the Limberlost State Historic Site (200 E 6th St., Geneva, IN 46740). Fifteen hunters will be selected. All hunters must have their deer hunting licenses on the day of the draw and attend in person. The bag limit is one antlered deer or one antlerless deer. A hunting packet including maps, delineated hunting zones, property regulations, deer stand requirements, parking, etc. will be emailed to successful applicants in the weeks leading up to the hunt.
For any questions, please contact the East Central Region Ecologist at rysmith1@dnr.IN.gov.
Portland Arch Nature Preserve, Fountain County, IN - 350 acres
- Draw Date: 1 p.m. ET on Sept. 2, 2025
- Hunt Dates: Oct. 1, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026
- Allowed Equipment: Archery
Drawing will be held at Portland Arch Nature Preserve, (40.2165291656516, -87.33324143945491). Seven hunters will be selected; hunters will be allowed to bring a hunting partner when in the field. All hunters must have their deer hunting licenses on the day of the draw and attend in person. A hunting packet including maps, delineated hunting zones, property regulations, deer stand requirements, parking, etc. will be emailed to successful applicants in the weeks leading up to the hunt.
For any questions, please contact the Central Region Ecologist at dphoward@dnr.IN.gov.
Buss Conservation Area, White County, IN - 260 acres
- Draw Date: 11 a.m. ET on Sept. 4, 2025
- Hunt Dates: Oct. 1, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026
- Allowed Equipment: Archery
Drawing will be in the parking area of the Buss Conservation Area (40.84730096125225, -86.77440917994116). Ten hunters will be selected; hunters will be allowed to bring a hunting partner when in the field. All hunters must have their deer hunting licenses on the day of the draw and attend in person. A hunting packet including maps, delineated hunting zones, property regulations, deer stand requirements, parking, etc. will be emailed to successful applicants in the weeks leading up to the hunt.
For any questions, please contact the Central Region Ecologist at dphoward@dnr.IN.gov.
Big Walnut Natural Area, Putnam County, IN - approx. 1000 acres
- Draw Date: 11 a.m. ET on Sept. 2, 2025
- Hunt Dates: Oct. 1, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026
- Allowed Equipment: Archery
Drawing will be held at the Deer Creek Fish & Wildlife Area office (8004 South, SR243, Cloverdale, IN 46120). Fifteen hunters will be selected; hunters will be allowed to bring a hunting partner when in the field. All hunters must have their deer hunting licenses on the day of the draw and attend in person. There are no age restrictions on applying. A hunting packet including maps, delineated hunting zones, property regulations, deer stand requirements, parking, etc. will be emailed to successful applicants in the weeks leading up to the hunt.
For any questions, please contact the Central Region Ecologist at dphoward@dnr.IN.gov.
Pine Station Nature Preserve, Lake County, IN - approx. 180 acres
- Draw Date: 10 a.m. CT on Sept. 6, 2025
- Hunt Dates: Oct. 1-30, 2025
- Allowed Equipment: Archery
Drawing will be held at the LaSalle FWA check station. Hunters will draw for six, five-day hunt periods with a maximum of 3 hunters per period. All hunters must have their deer hunting licenses on the day of the draw and attend in person. A hunting packet containing maps, delineated hunting zones, property regulations, deer stand requirements, parking, etc. will be provided to successfully drawn hunters.
For any questions, please call the LaSalle Check Station at 219-992-3019 (Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-3 p.m.) or email LaSalleFWA@dnr.IN.gov.
State Park Deer Management (Application period: 10/7 – 10/27/2024) EXPIRED
- General Information (Early)
- General Information (Late)
Participating Properties
- Brown County State Park
- Cave River Valley Natural Area
- Chain O’Lakes State Park
- Charlestown State Park
- Clifty Falls State Park (archery only)
- Fort Harrison State Park (archery only)
- Harmonie State Park
- Lincoln State Park
- McCormick’s Creek State Park
- O’Bannon Woods State Park
- Ouabache State Park
- Pokagon State Park
- Potato Creek State Park
- Prophetstown State Park
- Raccoon State Recreation Area
- Shades State Park
- Shakamak State Park
- Spring Mill State Park
- Summit Lake State Park
- Tippecanoe River State Park
- Trine State Recreation Area (archery only)
- Turkey Run State Park
- Versailles State Park
- Whitewater Memorial State Park
