Upcoming DNR reserved hunt opportunities include local properties

Hunters can currently apply for a variety of reserved hunts by visiting on.IN.gov/reservedhunt.

Locally, this includes a fiearms season deer hunt at Deer Creek Fish and Wildlife Area. Regionally, there will also be state park property deer hunts at Raccoon Lake, Shades and Turkey Run state parks in Parke County.

The online method is the only way to apply for these hunts. No late entries will be accepted. Applicants must possess a hunting license that is valid for the hunt for which they are applying.

Applications for these reserved hunting opportunities opened Aug. 20 and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 24.

The statewide list includes:

Fish and wildlife area waterfowl hunts: Waterfowl hunts at participating FWAs, including LaSalle, Kingsbury, Hovey Lake, Goose Pond and Kankakee. Province Pond Wetland Conservation Area, managed by J.E. Roush Lake FWA, will also participate.

Fish and wildlife area deer hunts: Firearms season deer hunts at Deer Creek and Fairbanks Landing FWAs.

State park property deer hunts: Deer hunts at participating state park properties, including Chain O’Lakes, Clifty Falls, Fort Harrison, Harmonie, Indiana Dunes, Lincoln, O’Bannon Woods, Ouabache, Prophetstown, Shades, Shakamak, Spring Mill, Tippecanoe River, Turkey Run, Versailles, and Whitewater Memorial state parks and Raccoon Lake. Cave River Valley Natural Area, which is managed by Spring Mill State Park, will also participate.

November and December game bird area hunts: Hunts on GBAs in northern Indiana (Benton, Jasper, Newton, Warren and White counties). Hunters may choose from a variety of hunt dates. These are not put/take pheasant hunts.

November youth-only game bird area hunts: Youth-only hunts on GBAs in northern Indiana (Benton, Jasper, Newton, Warren, and White counties). Hunters may choose from a variety of hunt dates and must have an adult at least 18 years of age present while hunting. These are not put/take pheasant hunts.

Indiana Private Lands Access hunts: The IPLA program has switched to online reserved hunts and are no longer available through self-service sign-in. IPLA will offer reserved hunts for game bird, squirrel, waterfowl and firearms deer on private lands.

Applications for the following reserved hunting opportunities open Oct. 1. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Oct. 29:

December game bird area hunts: Hunts on GBAs in northern Indiana (Benton, Jasper, Newton, Warren and White counties). Hunters may choose from a variety of hunt dates. These are not put/take pheasant hunts.

Indiana Private Lands Access hunts: IPLA will offer archery and muzzleloader deer, late season waterfowl, goose only, and small game hunts on private lands.

Hunters will be selected through a random computerized drawing. Applicants will be able to view draw results online within two weeks after the application period closes. An email will be sent to all applicants when draws have been completed.

Only one application per hunt is allowed. No changes can be made once an application is submitted. More information is available at on.IN.gov/reservedhunt.