Ask Jeff Michalic
Bridgeton 965
Description
The Bridgeton 964
Nearly 1,000 Acres of Prime Hunting in Parke County
Cabin - Grass Airstrip - Managed Hunting Pressure
Offered via Online Auction
Imagine nearly 1,000 acres of rolling hardwood timber, productive farm fields, and quiet creek bottoms in the heart of Parke County-home to some of Indiana's most sought-after hunting ground. The Bridgeton 964 offers a rare opportunity to hunt and manage a large-scale property featuring exceptional wildlife habitat, limited hunting pressure, and unique amenities including a cabin, camper site, and even a grass airstrip for small aircraft access.
Opportunities to secure hunting access to a property of this size and quality in Parke County are increasingly rare, making this an exceptional opportunity for serious hunters and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Property Highlights
964.87± acres of diverse hunting habitat
Three lease configurations available: Lease A, Lease B, or Lease C
Starting bid: $15.00 per acre annually
3-year lease option available
Cabin and camper site included depending on lease configuration
Grass airstrip available for small aircraft access
Limited hunter numbers to maintain low hunting pressure
Exceptional whitetail deer and Eastern wild turkey hunting
Auction Information
Auction Name: The Bridgeton 964
Auction Format: Online Auction
Bidding Opens: March 1
Bidding Closes: April 10th
Starting Bid:
$15.00 per acre annually for all lease options
Lease Term:
Winning bidders will have the option to secure a 3-year lease agreement, providing long-term hunting access and stability.
Lease Options
Lease A - 530± Acres
530.05± acres featuring a strong mix of hardwood timber and agricultural ground.
Breakdown
365.86± Wooded
164.19± Tillable
Maximum 4 Hunters
Camper Site
A designated camper site with electric and water hookups is available.
Included during:
Turkey Season
Deer Season
Off-season use available for $50/day
Unavailable October 2 - October 18, 2026 during the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival.
Lease B - 435± Acres
434.82± acres offering an excellent balance of timber and productive farmland.
Breakdown
123.76± Wooded
311.06± Tillable
Maximum 4 Hunters
Cabin Included
Hunters have access to a 3 bedroom / 1 bath cabin located on the property.
Included during:
Turkey Season
Deer Season
Off-season use:
$125/day
$50 cleaning fee
Grass Airstrip
A grass airstrip located on the property is available for small aircraft, providing a unique access option for hunters traveling by plane.
Lease C - 964± Acres (Combined)
Lease C combines both tracts into a 964.87± acre hunting lease.
Breakdown
489.62± Wooded
475.25± Tillable
Maximum 6 Hunters
This configuration provides approximately 160 acres per hunter, allowing excellent flexibility for stand placement and hunting pressure management.
Lodging & Access
Cabin included
3 bedroom / 1 bath
Camper site included
Electric and water hookups
Grass airstrip available for small aircraft access
Landowner Lease Selection
At the conclusion of the auction, the landowner reserves the right to determine the final lease structure based on the auction results.
The property may be leased as:
Lease A and Lease B separately, or
Lease C as a combined tract
Property Stewardship & Security
For Lease B and Lease C, a 10-acre section of the property is reserved and not included in the lease area. This portion is utilized by a neighboring landowner who helps oversee and watch over the property.
This neighbor has a law enforcement background and provides an additional level of stewardship and oversight throughout the year.
His involvement includes:
Keeping an eye on wildlife movement across the property
Monitoring for potential trespassing or unauthorized access
Assisting with predator population control after deer season to support healthy deer and turkey numbers
Maintaining awareness of activity across the surrounding landscape
His familiarity with the property and surrounding area provides valuable insight into wildlife patterns and helps ensure the property remains well cared for and responsibly managed.
World-Class Whitetail Deer Hunting
Western Indiana has quietly become one of the top trophy whitetail regions in the Midwest, and Parke County sits right in the heart of that region.
The landscape surrounding The Bridgeton 964 is exactly what serious deer hunters look for: a productive blend of hardwood timber, creek corridors, and agricultural fields that create ideal bedding areas, travel routes, and food sources.
With nearly 1,000 acres available and controlled hunter numbers, the property provides the kind of scale necessary to manage hunting pressure and allow bucks to reach maturity.
The surrounding agricultural ground provides abundant nutrition throughout the growing season, while the mature timber offers excellent bedding areas and rut travel corridors during the fall.
Parke County has developed a strong reputation among Midwest hunters for producing record-book whitetail deer. Over the past decade, the county has ranked among Indiana's top producers of Boone & Crockett caliber whitetails, highlighting the region's ability to grow and hold mature trophy bucks.
This reputation is driven by the county's combination of fertile soils, abundant agricultural nutrition, large blocks of timber, and responsible wildlife management practices.
Properties capable of supporting Boone & Crockett caliber whitetails rarely become available as hunting leases of this size.
For hunters seeking a property where they can pursue mature Midwestern whitetail bucks in a low-pressure environment, opportunities like The Bridgeton 964 are increasingly rare.
Outstanding Eastern Wild Turkey Hunting
In addition to exceptional deer hunting, The Bridgeton 964 offers excellent Eastern wild turkey hunting opportunities.
Large blocks of mature timber provide ideal roosting habitat, while nearby agricultural fields and open areas create natural strutting zones and feeding areas during the spring season.
Each spring, hunters can expect to hear gobblers echo across the ridges and creek bottoms as birds move from their roost trees into field edges and open timber.
With the property's large acreage and limited number of hunters, there is plenty of room to spread out during turkey season and enjoy the kind of classic Midwestern turkey hunting experience many sportsmen seek.
For many hunters, the ability to pursue trophy whitetails in the fall and longbeards in the spring on the same property makes a hunting lease especially valuable.
About Parke County, Indiana
Parke County is widely known as the "Covered Bridge Capital of the World." The county is home to 31 historic covered bridges, the largest concentration in the United States.
Each fall the county hosts the famous Parke County Covered Bridge Festival, which draws more than two million visitors annually and celebrates the region's rich history, scenic countryside, and rural traditions.
The nearby historic town of Bridgeton is one of the festival's most visited destinations, known for its picturesque covered bridge, waterfall, and historic Bridgeton Mill.
Outdoor Recreation & Things To Do
Beyond hunting, the area offers many recreational opportunities including:
Covered bridge scenic driving tours
Canoeing and kayaking on Sugar Creek
Fishing and boating on nearby rivers and lakes
Local restaurants, antique shops, and markets
The property is located near two of Indiana's most beautiful parks:
Turkey Run State Park
Shades State Park
Both parks feature dramatic sandstone ravines, scenic overlooks, and some of Indiana's best hiking trails.
A True Destination Property
Whether you're visiting to hunt, enjoy the fall festival, explore historic covered bridges, or spend time outdoors, Parke County offers a unique blend of heritage, recreation, and natural beauty.
Spend the morning in the stand chasing Parke County whitetails, the spring woods chasing gobblers, and the afternoon exploring historic covered bridges, local shops, and small-town restaurants with family and friends.
Final Closing
The Bridgeton 964 is more than just a hunting lease - it's a rare opportunity to experience nearly 1,000 acres of premier Parke County habitat where trophy whitetails roam, gobblers echo through the timber, and the traditions of rural Indiana are still alive.
