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Hunting in Indiana
Indiana Hunting at Glance
Indiana has long been a top state for big whitetails, with more than 40 B&C-qualifying bucks taken every year since 2010. Hunters can also pursue wild turkeys, small game, upland birds, and waterfowl. The state has a varied topography, with rolling hills in the north and more rugged terrain in the south.
Indiana ranks #30 in the nation for hunting license per capita and has a strong hunting culture with over 3.7% of the population classified as registered hunters.
Table of Contents
Hunters (Based on Hunting Licenses)
| Population: | 6,785,528 |
|---|---|
| Hunters | 251,065 |
| Hunter % | 3.70% |
| Hunters Rank | 30 |
The state of Indiana is predominantly private land and only 2.19% the total acres could be considred huntable public land. In fact, Indiana ranks #43 overall in acres of public huntable land.
Land Types (Acres)
| Acres | % | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 22,956,800 | ||
| Huntable Public | 502,000 | 2.19% | 43 |
| Private Land | 22,434,450 | 97.72% | 5 |
| Tribal Land | 0 | 0.00% | no tribal land |
Indiana ranks #5 for the percentage of private land vs total acres and doesn’t have any tribal land.
Indiana Hunting Seasons & Requirements
For the most accurate information on Indiana Hunting Seasons, along with the state’s requirements for tag and bag limits, it’s a good idea to check with the Indiana DNR. We’ve provided their contact information below, along with links to helpful resources, including licensing.
Indiana DNR
402 W. Washington St. RM W273
Indianapolis, IN 46204
- (877) 463-6367
Indiana Hunting Seasons 2022 – 2023
This data shows the season dates and start/end times for a variety of game animals in the state, including Red and Gray Foxes, Coyote & Striped Skunk, Opossum & Raccoon, Beaver, Turkey, Deer, Squirrel, Pheasant, Quail, Rabbit, Crow, Green Frog and Bullfrog, Eastern Snapping Turtle, Smooth & Spiny Softshell Turtles, Snipe, Woodcock, Early Teal, Dove, Ducks, Mergansers and Coots. This information is used to help hunters plan their hunting trips ahead of time and ensure that they are hunting legally within the given season dates.
| Game | Season Begins | Season Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | April 23, 2022 | April 24, 2022 |
| Green Frog and Bullfrog | June 15, 2022 | April 30, 2023 |
| Crow | July 1, 2022 | August 15, 2022 |
| Pheasant | November 1, 2022 | December 15, 2022 |
| Snipe | September 1, 2022 | December 16, 2022 |
| Geese | September 10, 2022 | February 12, 2023 |
| Red and Gray Fox | October 15, 2022 | February 28, 2023 |
| Rabbit | November 1, 2022 | February 28, 2023 |
| Turkey | October 1, 2022 | January 1, 2023 |
| Quail* | November 1, 2022 | January 10, 2023 |
| Dove | September 1, 2022 | January 2, 2023 |
| Ducks, Mergansers, Coots | October 22, 2022 | January 22, 2023 |
| Opossum & Raccoon | November 8, 2022 | January 31, 2023 |
| Deer* | September 15, 2022 | January 31, 2023 |
| Squirrel | August 15, 2022 | January 31, 2023 |
| Crow | December 13, 2022 | March 1, 2023 |
| Coyote & Striped Skunk | October 15, 2022 | March 15, 2023 |
| Beaver | November 15, 2022 | March 15, 2023 |
| Eastern Snapping Turtle, Smooth & Spiny Softshell Turtles | July 1, 2022 | March 31, 2023 |
| Turkey | April 27, 2022 | May 15, 2022 |
| Woodcock | October 15, 2022 | November 28, 2022 |
| Sora Rail | September 1, 2022 | November 9, 2022 |
| Early Teal | September 10, 2022 | September 25, 2022 |
*Hunting dates for this species may vary by zone, method of take, or subspecies of animal. Visit the state’s website here to find out more.
Indiana Hunting and Trapping Licenses
The fees below outline the cost of different hunting and trapping licenses for residents and non-residents in the state. Youth license fees are also included. These costs vary based on the type of activity being undertaken. The fees provide an important source of revenue for conservation efforts in the state.
| License | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Hunting | $20.00 | $90.00 |
| Youth Annual Hunting | N/A | $20.00 |
| Youth Combined Hunting/Trapping | $12.00 | N/A |
| Five Day Hunting | $50.00 | $50.00 |
| Deer Archery (Archery Season) | $39.00 | $240.00 |
| Deer Crossbow (Archery Season) | $39.00 | $240.00 |
| Deer Firearm (Buck Only – Firearms Season) | $39.00 | $240.00 |
| Deer Military/Refuge (federal military and national wildlife refuges only) | $39.00 | $240.00 |
| Deer Muzzleloader (Muzzleloader Season only) | $39.00 | $240.00 |
| Deer Reduction Zone (Reduction Zones only) | $39.00 | $240.00 |
| Spring Turkey | $25.00 | $175.00 |
| Youth Hunting -18 & under | $25.00 | $175.00 |
*Hunting license data is provided for reference. Please note, that the best source for changing license pricing is on the state DNR site. Please see the link provided in the section above.
Popular Game to Hunt in Indiana
While the most popular game is the white-tailed deer, Indiana offers hunting opportunities for pretty much anything you’d expect in the Midwest. You’ll find good upland bird hunting and rabbit or squirrel. Southern Indiana even has some bears and wolves and coyotes have been spotted throughout the state.
Small Game Hunting in Indiana
According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the most popular small game animals to hunt are squirrel, rabbit, pheasant, grouse, and quail. Pheasant, grouse, and quail are less common, but they are still popular among hunters. All five of these animals can be found in many parts of Indiana, so hunters have a good chance of finding them. Each type of animal has its own hunting season, of course, so hunters need to be aware of the dates and should familiarize themselves with the state’s hunting regulations before heading out.
Big Game Hunting in Indiana
In Indiana, the most popular big game animals to hunt are white-tailed deer, black bear, gray wolf, and coyote. Hunting these animals helps to maintain healthy populations and prevent overgrazing of vegetation. White-tailed deer are the most popular game animal in Indiana, and hunters typically target males, or bucks, which have antlers. Black bears are found in southern Indiana, and they are typically hunted with dogs. Gray wolves are not as common as they once were, but they can still be found in remote areas of the state. Coyotes are commonly seen in rural areas, and they can be hunted with either firearms or traps.
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Where are the Best Areas to Hunt in Indiana
Indiana offers great hunting opportunities across the state, both on public and private land. We’ve included some of the best areas for public hunting below and as we have access we’ll be adding more private land too.
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We’re working with landowners all across Indiana to provide private land access for more activities. Add your information below to stay up to date.
Popular Public Hunting Land in Indiana
When it comes to hunting public land in Indiana, there are a few hotspots that stand out above the rest. Morgan-Monroe State Forest is a popular destination for deer hunters, as it offers over 24,000 acres of land to explore. Yellowwood State Forest is another popular spot, as it contains both hardwood and conifer forests which provide ideal habitat for deer, turkey, and other game. Brown County State Park is also a popular destination for hunters, as it offers nearly 17,000 acres of forest to explore. Clarksville Bottoms is another great spot for deer hunting, as it contains over 8,000 acres of bottomland forest. Lastly, Hoosier National Forest is a great choice for those looking to hunt multiple species of game, as it offers nearly 200,000 acres of land to explore.
1. Morgan-Monroe State Forest
2. Yellowwood State Forest
3. Brown County State Park
4. Clarksville Bottoms
5. Hoosier National Forest
Hunting Private Land in Indiana
Since the majority of Indiana is private land getting access for hunting can be very appealing. When you hunt private land, it’s not only less crowded, the animals also tend to be less skittish and this means you’ll have a better day out in the field. Traditionally, accessing private land for hunting has been complicated and expensive. You either needed to join a club, hire a guide, or start knocking on doors.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying this for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts of all types. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some options great below.