Indiana’s New Reserved Hunt System

3 min read

HuntReminder Team • June 28, 2022

Starting on July 1, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will switch to a new application system for the state’s reserved hunts. This new system affects over 11 hunting opportunities in the Hoosier State. The new system will make it easier for hunters to plan their trips and participate in more hunts throughout the year.

How the New Application System Works

The Indiana DNR’s new application process for the 2022 reserved hunts now requires all interested hunters to apply online on the DNR’s reserved hunt webpage.

Instead of a single application period for all draws, the reserved hunting opportunities are now split across three application windows to allow more hunters to apply and help facilitate trip planning.

Application Dates

New online hunt entries have the following application windows:

Window 1 — Summer

  • Dove hunts at select dates and properties in multiple Indiana FWAs, including Kingsbury, Goose Pond, Winamac, Atterbury, Willow Slough, Kankakee, Jasper-Pulaski, and Pigeon River
  • Youth deer hunts at the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
  • Youth deer and squirrel hunting opportunities on Indiana Private Lands Access (IPLA)

Window 2 — Early Fall

  • Waterfowl hunts in Hovey Lake, Kingsbury, Goose Pond, LaSalle, Kankakee, and the Province Pond WCA
  • Firearm deer hunts in the Deer Creek and Fairbanks Landing areas
  • Deer hunting opportunities in 19 Indiana state parks, recreation areas, and natural areas
  • Wildlife refuge deer hunts at Muscatatuck and Big Oaks
  • Gamebird area hunts in November in northwest Indiana counties: Newton, Jasper, White, Benton, and Warren
  • IPLA gamebird and deer hunts

Window 3 — Late Fall

  • Gamebird area hunts in December in northwest Indiana counties: Newton, Jasper, White, Benton, and Warren
  • IPLA rabbit hunts

Additional information

Camp Atterbury has chosen not to use the new online DNR reservation system for deer hunts on National Guard land. For more information, visit the Camp Atterbury hunting portal.

How to View Draw Results

All hunters will be randomly selected using a computerized drawing method, and all draw results will be published online within two weeks after the respective application periods have ended.

Applicants will receive confirmation emails after applying and be notified again after the drawing period to inform them whether they won a draw. For more information, visit the DNR’s reserved hunt FAQ page.

By HuntReminder Team

To ensure you have the necessary information before your next hunting trip, our journalists find and summarize the most recent and important news stories in the hunting industry.