- Deer Creek FWA Alerts
- None at this time.
Description
Deer Creek Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA) began in 2010 with a transfer of 1,962 acres from the Putnamville Correctional Facility to the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife. After 2010, several more parcels were added to Deer Creek, bringing the current total to 2,175 acres.
The property consists of mature oak-hickory woods interspersed with agriculture. A 4-acre pond on the north portion offers fishing for bass, bluegill, and catfish. Deer Creek winds through the south portion of the property with a low-head dam, iron bridge, and creek crossing made of concrete. A smaller, unnamed creek crosses the north portion of the property.
Most revenues used in land acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance of Deer Creek FWA are derived from the sale of hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses. Funds are also received from the federal Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson programs to aid fish and wildlife restoration. These funds are derived from taxes levied on sport hunting, shooting, and fishing equipment. Indiana hunters and anglers are proud to provide this property for the enjoyment of all people.
- Amenities
- There is a portable toilet located at the check-in parking lot by the office.
- Restrooms are also available at the shooting range.
Popular activities
All hunters, range users, and dog runners are required to sign in and obtain the appropriate one-day access permit before entering the field at this property. The one-day permit card must be completed and returned to a self-service booth, drop box, or property office before you leave.
All other visitors are encouraged to obtain a miscellaneous one-day access permit before entering the field. The one-day access permit should be kept with you while visiting, then completed and returned to a self-service booth, drop box, or office before you leave. The information you provide will help us identify ways to improve Indiana’s FWAs for all users. We appreciate your patience in taking the extra time to complete the permit. Your feedback and comments are valuable to us.
- Fishing
- Deer Creek FWA provides fishing on a 4-acre pond located on the north portion of the property and in Deer Creek, which runs through the southern portion.
- Primary species include largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill, and redear sunfish.
- There are no fees outside of fishing licenses and stamps.
- There are no boat ramps on the property and river access is restricted to foot traffic only.
- Kayaks, canoes, and other watercraft are allowed with electric motors only.
- Anglers must park in a designated parking lot.
- Shoreline fishing is available at the pond.
- Fishing areas accessible to people with disabilities are available. Ask headquarters for details.
- For more information on where to fish in Indiana, visit the Where to Fish map.
- Hunting
- Deer, turkey, rabbit, squirrel, quail, dove, woodcock, furbearer, and waterfowl hunting are available.
- All hunting seasons and bag limits apply. See hunting regulations for details.
- Additional property specific rules may also apply.
Deer
- Deer tree stands and ground blinds may be used and left unattended from noon, Sept. 15 through Jan. 10. Tree stands and ground blinds must be legibly marked in English with either the owner’s DNR customer identification number or the owners’ name, address, and telephone number.
- A fastener used with a tree stand or pole climber penetrating a tree more than 1/2 inch is prohibited (e.g., screw-in steps and screw-in bow and gun hangers).
- Deer hunting is available via daily self-service check-in from Oct. 1- Nov.15, 2024, and Nov. 23- Jan. 5, 2025.
- During Deer Firearms Season, deer hunting is by draw only Nov. 16 – 22, 2024. Apply through DNR’s reserved hunt website.
- Antlerless deer cannot be taken with a firearm during firearms season at Fish & Wildlife areas, including Deer Creek FWA.
- Hunting areas for people with disabilities are available. Ask headquarters for details.
- Rifles must have a bullet diameter of at least .357 inches and a case length between 1.16”-1.8”.
Migratory Birds (dove and waterfowl)
- The first three days of dove season, Sept. 1-3, are by draw only. Apply through DNR’s reserved hunt website.
- Reserved-hunt hunters and their partners must be signed in at the office by 6:30 a.m. ET to claim their hunt.
- No-show or standby hunters must be signed in at the office by 7 a.m. ET.
- Shooting hours for dove are 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. ET from Sept. 1-3.
- Nontoxic shot is required, and there is a 50-shell limit per hunter per day.
- Starting Sept. 4, hunting is permitted by daily self-service check-in through the end of the season
- Dove Season Fields Map 2024
Turkey hunting
- Advance registration is required for wild turkey hunting during the first five days of the spring season. Apply through DNR’s reserved hunt website.
- Reserve hunters and stand-by hunters must be signed in before the assigned draw time of 5:30 a.m. ET.
- After the first five days of spring turkey season, hunting is permitted by daily self-service check-in through the end of the season.
- Please note that during spring turkey season, besides turkey hunters and anglers, no other visitors are allowed on the property until after 1 p.m. Please call the office for dates and any questions.
- During the fall turkey season, hunting is permitted by daily self-service check-in.
Upland Game (quail and rabbit)
- Quail and rabbit hunting is only available on Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Shooting range
- Range types include pistol, rifle, and shotgun.
- A fee is assessed to use the range. Fees are $7/hour per lane for the first person and $5/hour for each additional shooter (up to three additional).
- A sales area and restrooms are available.
- Hours of operation:
- March – November: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday – Sunday
- December – February: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday – Sunday
- Closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day
- See the Fish & Wildlife Area Shooting Ranges webpage for more details.
- Trapping
- The trapping draw is held the first Saturday in October at 10 a.m. ET at the Deer Creek FWA Office.
- Wildlife watching & birding
- Mature oak/hickory forest, creek bottoms, and rolling agriculture create a diverse area for wildlife to thrive at Deer Creek FWA. This area attracts a wide variety of raptors, songbirds, herons, and other wildlife.
- During the early spring numerous kinds of waterfowl can be seen on the property.
- Other common sightings include white-tailed deer, wild turkey, turtles, frogs, and hawks.
More activities
- Biking
- Bicycling is allowed on all paved and gravel roads that are open to vehicle travel.
- There are no mountain bike trails and off-road travel is prohibited.
- Dog running
- Dog running and training is allowed in Area A.
- Dogs must always be leashed outside of the dog running and training area unless being used by a registered hunter in the pursuit of game.
- Only service dogs are allowed inside buildings.
- Portions of the property may be dry land trapped during the season.
- Foraging
- Mushrooms, berries, and nuts may be gathered; however, a written permit is required to remove plants, animals, rocks, and fossils.
- Please note that during spring turkey season, no visitors are allowed on the property until after 1 p.m. Please call the office for dates and any questions.
- Hiking & walking
- Visitors are encouraged to hike, explore, and enjoy Deer Creek.
- One marked hiking trail is available in a partnership with Peoples Pathway and the City of Greencastle. This trail, The Putnam Nature Trail, starts in the northwest corner of Deer Creek.
- Access lanes are mowed a few times a year and are available for a more backcountry hiking experience.
- Water recreation
- Deer Creek and Deweese Branch run through this property.
- Swimming is prohibited.
- Canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding are allowed.
- Anyone in a canoe, kayak, or on a paddleboard must be in possession of a wearable personal flotation device (PFD) while on the water.
- Volunteering
- Need a reason to get outside and move? You can volunteer alone or in small groups at this property. Some possible opportunities are listed below.
- Wildlife survey support – assist staff with fall quail covey counts, songbird surveys, bird observations, and more.
- Property photographer – help document what makes Deer Creek FWA unique, from plants and animals to the people that use it.
- Skilled labor- If you are a carpenter, electrician, plumber, welder, or have other specialized skills, there is likely a time you could assist us with projects.
- Land stewards – help maintain a portion of the property that you enjoy. Projects could include invasive species treatment/removal, seeding wildflowers, maintenance of trails, mowing, maintaining signage, etc.
- Need a reason to get outside and move? You can volunteer alone or in small groups at this property. Some possible opportunities are listed below.
Other properties managed by this office
- Chinook FWA is 2,141 acres of reclaimed surface mine land near Vigo County in western Clay County. Approximately 80 acres of the property is water (mostly strip pits). Originally it was leased as a Public Fishing Area in 1982, but Chinook opened in 1997 as a Fish & Wildlife Area open to the public. Hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreational opportunities are available.
- Wabashiki FWA is composed of 3,652 acres of floodplain along the Wabash River. In 2010, Vigo County Parks Department and the Department of Natural Resources joined together in a cooperative effort to offer this bird viewing paradise to all its patrons. Hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreational opportunities are available.
- Green Valley Wildlife Management Area is 150 acres of wooded ground in Vigo County, Indiana. Green Valley Lake was originally constructed as a water supply reservoir for a coal mining operation. The property was purchased by the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife in the mid-1960s and opened to the public. Hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreational opportunities are available. More information.
