Frequently Asked Questions
How is deer hunting in Indiana compared to neighboring states?
Indiana deer hunting is fantastic, but it does not have the legendary reputation of Iowa, Illinois, or Ohio. This is simply because Indiana sells unlimited deer tags to out-of-state hunters, which puts more people in the woods and makes it harder for bucks to grow old. That being said, if you buy land in the southern hills that is hard for people to access and offers great hiding spots, you can consistently shoot massive, mature deer. The counties lining the Ohio River regularly produce the biggest bucks in the state because the deer get huge, eating crops out of the rich land and hiding in the thick river bottoms. As more private landowners start passing on young bucks, the quality of Indiana deer keeps getting better every year.
What are Indiana’s deer season dates and regulations?
According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the archery season starts October 1 and runs all the way to early January. The main firearm season opens the Saturday after Thanksgiving and lasts for two weeks. Indiana used to be a strict “shotgun or muzzleloader only” state during gun season, but they now allow specific straight-walled rifle calibers. However, you still cannot use the high-powered rifles that states like Illinois have just started allowing. During the main gun season, you are also restricted to shooting bucks that have at least four points on one side of their antlers. These rules help keep the hunters safe and force them to let the younger bucks walk away.
What turkey and other wildlife hunting is available on Indiana land?
According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the state has an incredible spring wild turkey season in April and May, though you are only allowed to shoot one bird. Having wild turkeys on the property is a huge selling point for recreational land. You can also hunt turkeys with a bow or gun in the fall. The turkey numbers are best in the heavily wooded southern counties because the birds need big trees to sleep in at night. Dove hunting over cut farm fields is a massive tradition every September. If you want to shoot ducks, the Kankakee River marshes up in the northwest corner are the absolute best spot in the state. People also still love taking dogs out to hunt squirrels, rabbits, and raccoons in the country.
