Hunting Licenses
Use the online portal to buy your licenses, apply for reserved hunts, and more.
Deer Check In
Grab a transportation tag and check in your game online.
Deer Infoline
Click to email, or call 812-334-3795, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday.
Report Sick or Dead Deer
Reports are reviewed by staff biologists.
Deer Processing
Tips and techniques, including a step-by-step guide.
Deer Info Map
View an interactive map of deer data across Indiana
Deer Hunting
The 2026-2027 deer hunting seasons are as follows:
- Reduction Zone: Sept. 15, 2026 - Jan. 31, 2027 (where open)
- Youth Season: Sept. 26 & 27, 2026
- Archery: Oct. 1, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027
- Firearms: Nov. 14 - Nov. 29, 2026
- Muzzleloader: Dec. 5-20, 2026
A full list of season dates, bag limits, and legal equipment can be found on the deer-hunting question and answers page.
A resident youth hunt/trap, deer hunting, or comprehensive lifetime hunting license is required to hunt for deer unless you meet one of the license exemptions. All deer harvested in Indiana must be reported within 48 hours of the time of harvest at an on-site check station, online through GoOutdoorsIN.com, with the GoOutdoorsIN smartphone app, or by phone at 260-368-5880 (no fee). For more information, see the Indiana Hunting & Trapping Guide or our Deer Hunting Questions & Answers.
Carcasses of deer and other wild animals that are lawfully taken cannot be dumped in streams or other bodies of water. Dumping dead deer and other wild animals in a waterway is considered littering and is a criminal offense punishable by a fine. Rotting carcasses in a waterway can also affect water quality for those downstream. Carcasses should not be burned because this can cause air pollution. Carcasses shouldn’t be left in the open for scavengers and others to see without permission from the landowner. We recommend all discarded carcasses and unwanted animal parts be bagged, placed in your trash, and sent to a landfill.
Changes to Indiana’s deer hunting regulations in 2026 include:
- Muzzleloaders that allow the powder and primer to be loaded from the breech end are now legal to use in the muzzleloader season. They are still allowed in the youth and firearms seasons as well.
- County Antlerless changes for this year:
- Bartholomew County reduced to two (2)
- Franklin County increased to three (3)
- Fayette County increased to three (3)
- Jennings County reduced to one (1)
- Jackson County reduced to two (2)
- Jefferson County reduced to two (2)
- Martin County reduced to one (1)
- Porter County reduced to two (2)
- Scott County reduced to two (2)
- Switzerland County reduced to two (2)
- There is no Porter County reduction zone, which is the same as last year.
For more information on these new regulations, check out the Indiana Hunting & Trapping Guide.
Indiana is the No. 1 Big Buck State!
Yes, you read correctly.
Based on Boone & Crockett records, Indiana has been the top trophy white-tailed deer state per square mile since 2016.
There are several reasons why Indiana is such a great place to hunt for trophy bucks. First, the state has a large and healthy deer population. The Indiana DNR manages the deer herds in each county with the goals of providing ample opportunities for hunters to harvest deer and ensuring that white-tailed deer populations are sustained every year. The bag limit of one buck per season helps the buck population age and grow larger antlers, which provides greater opportunities for hunters to harvest a buck they want.
Along with successful population management methods like hunting, habitat management and research, Indiana’s trophy buck hunting is supported by excellent deer habitat. The state‘s mixture of forests, fields, and wetlands provides ideal habitat for white-tailed deer. While the forests provide cover, the excellent soil in the fields and wetlands provides food. Indiana’s extensive network of small roads, fields, and other open areas in forests also create edge habitat that attract deer.
The vast amount of land available to hunt in Indiana also provides many opportunities to hunt trophy bucks. Between state DNR-managed lands and federally managed land, more than 1,000 square miles of public land is open to hunting in Indiana. Along with public land, there is also plenty of private land available for deer hunting through the Indiana Private Lands Access (IPLA) program.
Here are some tips for hunting trophy bucks in Indiana:
- Hunt during the rut, the time of year when deer are most active and looking for mates.
- Find the areas with the best deer habitat and hunt them.
- Make sure you have the proper gear, comfortable clothing, and snacks.
- Be patient. Hunting for trophy bucks is challenging. Harvesting one is often a once-in-lifetime event. Be prepared to put in the time and effort required.
If you're looking for a great place to hunt for trophy bucks, Indiana is the place to go.
Daily Reported Deer Harvest
Harvest numbers are updated daily with information from game check system. Numbers are raw data that have not yet be verified by Indiana DNR.
