Deer season 2026–27 · last checked Sep 26, 2026
Indiana deer season dates 2026–27
Official dates from Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife, by season and zone, plus the public land in Indiana from our directory. Archery opens Oct. 1, 2026. Firearms: Nov. 14, 2026 (Firearms season).
Last checked Sep 26, 2026 against the official Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife page. Dates vary by zone, unit and county, and agencies can change them. Confirm with Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife before you hunt.
Quick answers
- When does archery deer season start in Indiana?
- Oct. 1, 2026, per Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife. See the table for zone differences and closing dates.
- When does gun (firearms) deer season start in Indiana?
- Nov. 14, 2026 (Firearms season).
- Where are the official rules?
- Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife: hunting information. Bag limits, licenses, tags and weapon rules are not repeated here.
Indiana deer season dates, 2026–27
Deer
| Season | Where | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Deer reduction zones | Designated zones only | Sept. 15, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 |
| Youth season | Youth 17 and younger | Sept. 26–27, 2026 |
| Archery | — | Oct. 1, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027 |
| Firearms | — | Nov. 14–29, 2026 |
| Muzzleloader | — | Dec. 5–20, 2026 |
- The Indiana DNR says antlerless deer may not be taken with a firearm during firearms season on DFW-managed properties and at Mississinewa, Patoka and Salamonie lakes. Check county antlerless limits on the DNR page.
Official sources (checked Sep 26, 2026)
Public land in Indiana that may allow deer hunting
Our directory lists 134 named public land units in Indiana (about 590K ac, from USGS PAD-US 4.1): 89 state wildlife & game areas, 17 forests & grasslands, 2 wildlife refuges & WPAs, 5 lake & reservoir project lands, 21 other public land units. PAD-US shows who manages the land. It doesn’t cover hunting rules. Before you go, check the area’s own rules with the managing agency. WMAs, refuges and forests often have special dates, permits or closed zones.
State wildlife areas & game lands in Indiana
All 89 →- State wildlife / game area
Minnehana Fish and Wildlife Area
12,873 acres
State: department of natural resources · Sullivan County
Open access - State wildlife / game area
Pigeon River Fish And Wildlife Area
11,599 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · LaGrange County, Steuben County
Restricted access - State wildlife / game area
Willow Slough Fish And Wildlife Area
9,706 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Newton County
Restricted access - State wildlife / game area
Roush Lake Fish And Wildlife Area
8,468 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Huntington County, Wells County
Restricted access - State wildlife / game area
Glendale Fish And Wildlife Area
8,138 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Daviess County
Restricted access - State wildlife / game area
Goose Pond Fish And Wildlife Area
7,983 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Greene County
Open access - State wildlife / game area
Sugar Ridge Fish And Wildlife Area
7,954 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Pike County, Warrick County
Restricted access - State wildlife / game area
Kingsbury Fish And Wildlife Area
7,073 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · LaPorte County
Restricted access - State wildlife / game area
Jasper-Pulaski Fish And Wildlife Area
6,832 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Jasper County, Pulaski County + 1 more
Restricted access
National & state forests and grasslands in Indiana
All 17 →- National Forest land
Hoosier National Forest
204,304 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Perry County, Orange County + 6 more
Open access - State forest
Morgan - Monroe State Forest
25,182 acres
State: department of natural resources · Monroe County, Morgan County + 1 more
Open access - State forest
Clark State Forest
24,666 acres
State: department of natural resources · Clark County, Scott County + 1 more
Open access - State forest
Yellowwood State Forest
24,498 acres
State: department of natural resources · Brown County, Monroe County
Open access - State forest
Harrison - Crawford State Forest
22,572 acres
State: department of natural resources · Harrison County, Crawford County
Open access - State forest
Jackson-Washington State Forest
18,179 acres
State: department of natural resources · Washington County, Jackson County
Open access
National wildlife refuges & WPAs in Indiana
- National Wildlife Refuge
Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge
10,063 acres
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Pike County, Gibson County
Restricted access - National Wildlife Refuge
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
7,847 acres
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Jackson County, Jennings County
Restricted access
Counties with the most listed public land
- Benton County (9)
- Steuben County (7)
- Lake County (7)
- Jackson County (6)
- Crawford County (6)
- Laporte County (6)
- Noble County (6)
- Posey County (6)
- Martin County (5)
- Warrick County (5)
- Monroe County (4)
- Brown County (4)
Not legal advice and not an official source. This independent site is not affiliated with any government agency. Season dates are copied from the agency pages linked above as of the “last checked” date and may have changed since. The agency’s current regulations are what count. Full disclaimer.
Deer season dates in other states
Alabama · Arkansas · Georgia · Illinois · Iowa · Kentucky · Michigan · Minnesota · Missouri · New York · North Carolina · Ohio · Oklahoma · Pennsylvania · Tennessee · Texas · Virginia · Wisconsin