Reserved Hunt Information
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources offers several different reserved hunts each year. Listed below is general information about the hunts and the registration process. Please note: specific information about the hunts are subject to change. Information will be updated on this page as it becomes available and you can subscribe to this page by clicking the "Subscribe for e-mail updates" link at the top of the page and you will receive an email when this page is updated. You can also sign up for Wild Bulletin to receive emails with the latest information regarding reserved hunts, and other important fish and wildlife information.
Important information about reserved hunts
- An applicant must possess a valid hunting license for the species they intend hunt in order to apply for the hunt.
- Once you have submitted your application for a hunt, you cannot change your application. If you need to update your contact information, please log back into the reserved hunt system and update your contact information.
- After you have submitted your application, PRINT or SAVE your confirmation page. You should also receive a confirmation email, if you have provided a valid email address. (Check your junk mail folder).
- Once you have applied, you can double check by logging back into the reserved hunt system. If you log back into the reserved hunt system and a hunt choice is still in the drop-down box, which means you did not successfully apply. The system will not allow you to apply for the same hunt more than once. So, if the hunt shows up in your drop-down box, then you need to apply.
- All reserved hunt draw results will be posted online approximately one week after the deadline has passed.
FAQs about the reserved hunt system
General information about hunt opportunities
2012 Wild Turkey Draw Hunt
- Applications will be accepted online from January 20 to March 25, 2012.
- Turkey hunts will be offered at DNR properties and two National Wildlife Refuges.
- Applicants are allowed to apply for one property, and choose from the available dates for that property.
- Reserved Hunt Dates Available by Property:
- 4/25 - 4/27, 4/28 - 4/30: Big Oaks NWR and Atterbury, Chinook, Crosley, Fairbanks Landing, Minnehaha, and Hovey Lake Fish and Wildlife Areas.
- 4/25 - 4/27, 4/28 - 4/29, 4/30 - 5/2 , 5/3 - 5/5, 5/6 - 5/8, 5/9 - 5/11, 5/12 - 5/13: Deer Creek, Glendale, J. E. Roush Lake, Jasper-Pulaski, Kingsbury, LaSalle, Pigeon River, Tri-County, Willow Slough, Winamac Fish and Wildlife Areas, and Mississinewa and Salamonie Reservoirs.
- 4/25 - 4/28, 4/29 - 5/1: Hillenbrand Fish and Wildlife Area
- 4/25 - 4/26, 4/27 - 4/28, 4/29 - 4/30, 5/1 - 5/2, 5/3 - 5/4, 5/5 - 5/6, 5/7 - 5/8, 5/9 - 5/10: Muscatatuck NWR
- Draw results will be posted online.
2011 Fairbanks Landing Deer Hunt
- Applications will be accepted online from Sept. 1-30.
- Successful hunters will be chosen for opening weekend of deer firearm season and allowed to hunt both Nov. 12 and 13. Successful hunters will not be able to bring a partner.
- Draw results will be posted online.
2011 Deer Creek Deer Hunt
- Applications will be accepted online from August 22 - September 9, 2011
- Applicants must possess a license to hunt deer in order to apply.
- Applicants may register for up to 3 dates. Successful applicants will be chosen for one date range. The hunts dates available are Oct. 1-3, Oct. 7-10, Oct. 14-17, Oct. 21-24, Oct. 28-31, Nov. 4-7, Nov. 11-14, Nov. 18-21, Nov. 25-27, Dec. 3-5, Dec. 9-12, Dec. 16-19, Dec. 23-27, Dec. 30-Jan. 2, 2012.
- Successfully drawn applicants are allowed to bring one hunting partner.
- Results will be posted online up to one week after the deadline to apply.
2011 Deer Creek Upland (rabbit, quail or woodcock) Game Hunt
- Applications will be accepted online from August 22 - September 9, 2011
- Applicants must possess a license to hunt small game in order to apply.
- Applicants may register for up to 3 dates. Successful applicants will be chosen for one date. The hunts dates available are: Nov. 5, Nov. 12, Nov. 19, Nov. 26, Dec. 3, Dec. 10, Dec. 17, Dec. 24, Dec. 31.
- Successfully drawn applicants are allowed to bring one hunting partner.
- Results will be posted online up to one week after the deadline to apply.
Dove Draw Hunt
- Applications accepted online from July 1-31, 2011
- Don't forget, hunters must possess a Game Bird Habitat Stamp when hunting doves (those that have lifetime licenses or youth hunt/trap licenses do not need to purchase the stamp since it's included in the license).
- Non-toxic shot is required at all DNR properties, including reservoir properties.
- Applicants may choose the property but dates will be assigned to successful applicants.
- Properties: Bluegrass, Jasper-Pulaski, Kankakee, Kingsbury, LaSalle, Pigeon River, Willow Slough, and Winamac Fish and Wildlife areas, and Mississinewa and Salamonie reservoir properties. (Roush Lake FWA and Hardy Lake will not be in the drawing this year).
- Successful applicants may bring one hunting partner.
- Draw results will be posted online.
Military/Refuge Firearm Deer Draw Hunt
- Applications accepted online from July 1 - August 28, 2011.
- Applicants do not have to enter their hunting partner’s information online.
- Properties: Big Oaks NWR, Camp Atterbury JMTC, Muscatatuck (muzzleloader only), and Naval Support Activity (Crane; must be 14 years of age or older by November 13, 2011).
- Successful applicants are allowed to bring one hunting partner.
- Any military area deer hunt may be cancelled or rescheduled upon short notice. No hunt fee refunds will be given if a hunt is cancelled or rescheduled.
- Handguns are not permitted on any military area.
- Successful applicants will receive more information regarding their hunt once the draw results are posted. There will be a link to a document with the information.
- Draw results will be posted online
- If you have questions regarding the military/refuge hunts, please call the Deer Hotline at (812) 334-3795 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. This is not a toll free call.
Military/Refuge Archery Deer Draw Hunt
- Applications will be accepted online from July 1 - August 28, 2011.
- Applicants do not have to enter their hunting partner’s information online.
- Properties: Big Oaks NWR, Muscatatuck, Newport.
- Successful applicants are allowed to bring one hunting partner.
- Any military area deer hunt may be cancelled or rescheduled upon short notice. No hunt fee refunds will be given if a hunt is cancelled or rescheduled.
- Handguns are not permitted on any military area.
- Successful applicants will receive more information regarding their hunt once the draw results are posted. There will be a link to a document with the information.
- Draw results will be posted online
- If you have questions regarding the military/refuge hunts, please call the Deer Hotline at (812) 334-3795 from 8:30 am to 4 pm on weekdays. This is not a toll free call.
Youth Firearm Deer Hunt
- Applications will be accepted online from July 1 - August 28, 2011.
- Muscatatuck
- Must be age 15 or younger on the date of the hunt (Nov 27, 2011)
Pheasant Draw Hunt
- Applications will be accepted online from July 1 - October 2, 2011.
- *November 25 reserved for youth only (17 and younger). Do not apply for this date if you are 18 or older.
- Applicants do not choose a property, but they do select a date. Properties are assigned to successful applicants.
- Hunt dates will be: Nov. 4, 5, 9, 12, 16, 20, 25 (youth only); Dec 3, 10, and 17.
- Successful applicants may bring up to two hunting partners.
- Draw results will be posted online up to 1 week after the drawing.
Put-and-take Pheasant Hunts
- Hunts are available online beginning September 1, 2011 and they are first-come, first-served.
- Reservations are accepted online until midnight of November 26, 2011
- Hunters can select the date, property, and property location for the hunt.
- The cost is $15 per person and the bag limit is two birds of either sex. A hunter filling his/her limit in the put-and-take hunt may not take any more pheasant that day.
- PRINT your confirmation page once you submit your reservation(s). You will also receive a confirmation email once your reservation(s) have been successfully submitted. No refunds will be given.
State Park Deer Reduction Draw Hunt
- Applications will be accepted online from July 1 - August 28, 2011.
- Important Deer Reduction Information.
- If applicants wish to apply with a hunting partner(s), the primary applicant must have their partner’s hunting license number and date-of-birth when applying. Applicants must be 18 years of age by the date of the hunt, and must possess the proper licenses to hunt deer in order to apply. Once you have submitted your application online, you cannot change your information.
- Applicants are allowed to apply for themselves, and up to two hunting partners.
- Each applicant may only appear on one application per hunt (i.e., you cannot be listed as a primary applicant AND a buddy for the same hunt).
- Preference will be given to those who have successfully completed a Hunter Education course.
- Draw results will be posted online.
- For successful applicants, deer harvested at a State Park Reduction Hunts are in addition to regular deer season bag limits. You do not need to purchase additional licenses to harvest deer if participating in the reduction hunt.
- For questions regarding State Park Deer Reduction Hunts, please contact please contact State Parks and Reservoirs at (317) 232-4200.
State Park Goose Reduction Draw Hunt
- Click here for information regarding 2011 goose reductions.
- Applicants, buddies, and stand-by hunters must be Indiana Residents and be 18 by the date of the first annual state park reduction hunt.
- Participants may bring up to three buddies to hunt with; they are not required to be on the application.
- Hunters need to enter their valid hunting license number to apply.
- Apprentice licenses are not applicable.
- Hunters can select which parks and dates to be drawn for.
- A stand-by drawing will be conducted each day. Any spots remaining unfilled by drawn hunters 90 minutes before local sunrise will be open for public stand-by drawing.
- PRINT your confirmation page once you submit your application. You will also receive a confirmation email once your application has been successfully submitted.
- Draw results will be posted online up to a week after the deadline to apply.
- Successful applicants will receive more information regarding their hunt once the draw results are posted. There will be a link to a document with the information.
Waterfowl Draw Hunt
- Applications are typically accepted online from Sept. 5-25, 2011.
- Applicants may choose up to five property and date combinations. Successful applicants will be chosen for one of their five property and date choices.
- Draw results will be posted online
Some FAQs about the reserved draw hunt system
Q: When I enter my license number and date of birth, the system doesn’t recognize me.
A: Verify that the information on your license is correct. If your date of birth is not correct on your license, then it is not correct in the system. Please call DNR Customer Service at (317) 232-4200 or toll-free at (877) 463-6367 to have the information corrected.
Q: I get the error message “You have attempted to submit a form twice. Please click this URL to continue.”
A: This message typically displays if you use the back button on your internet browser. If you see this message, click on the link to continue. Do not use the back button on your internet browser. Also, do not click the "Continue" or "Submit" button more than once.
Q: I don’t know if I have applied for a hunt. How do I verify?
A: Log into the reserved hunt application. After you have verified your personal information, there will be a screen that you can choose the type of hunt you want to apply for. If the hunt is listed in the drop-down box, then you have not applied for the hunt. Also, below the drop-down box, you will see any hunts that you have applied for and there is an icon to reprint the confirmation page. If the hunt you are trying to apply for is still listed, then you have not successfully submitted your application. The system will not let you apply for the same hunt more than once. So, if a hunt is listed in the choices, then proceed with the application process (unless there is an age restriction on the hunt and you do not qualify).
Q: Will the system allow me to register for the same hunt more than once?
A: No. The system will not let you apply for the same hunt more than once. So, if a hunt is listed in the choices, then proceed with the application process.
Q: I entered my license number and date-of-birth, but I don’t see any hunts in the drop-down list. What do I do?
A: Check to make sure you have the proper license that is required for the species you intend to hunt. If you have the correct license and you still do not see any hunts, check to make sure that the application deadline has not passed.
Q: When will the results for the hunts be posted?
A: Typically, the draw hunt results will be posted online approximately two weeks (or less) after the application deadline has passed. Sign up for Wild Bulletin to receive emails with the latest news regarding the reserved hunts, and other important fishing, hunting, and wildlife information.
Q: Where do I find out if I was drawn for a hunt?
A: Draw results will be posted online along with all the information you will need to particpate in the hunt if you were successfully drawn. Click on the view draw hunt results link on the top of this page. Enter your information and your draw results will show for each hunt for which you successfully submitted an application. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view important information if you were drawn for a hunt.
Q: I tried to view my draw results and I got the message "No Records Found." What do I do now?
A: Verify that you typed your last name correctly. Do not type in suffixes, i.e. "Sr." or "Jr." Make sure you have a confirmation number (Hunt Registration ID) or confirmation email for the hunt. If you don't have a confirmation number or email, it is likely that you didn't successfully submit your application. If you have a confirmation number or email, and you do not see any results for your name, call DNR Customer Service at (317) 232-4200 or toll-free at (877) 463-6367.
Q: There are no results listed under my name for a hunt. What do I do now?
A: Make sure you have a confirmation number (Hunt Registration ID) or confirmation email for the hunt. If you don't have a confirmation number or email, it is likely that you didn't successfully submit your application. If you have a confirmation number or email, and you do not see any results for your name, call DNR Customer Service at (317) 232-4200 or toll-free at (877) 463-6367.
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