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Planning Updated Jan 29, 2026

Indiana Hunting Season Dates

Complete hunting calendar for Indiana including deer, elk, turkey, and more.

Indiana Hunting Season Calendar

Find all hunting season dates for Indiana including deer, elk, turkey, and waterfowl. Filter by species and hunting method.

IN regulations 3 species Split seasons shown Zone info included
IN

Coming Up in Indiana

Seasons opening in the next 60 days

Turkey Any Legal Method

Apr 22 - May 17, 2026

Opens in 50 days

Complete Season Calendar

All Indiana hunting seasons organized by species

Deer 3 seasons

Method Dates Zone Status Notes Add to Calendar
Archery Oct 1, 2025 - Jan 5, 2026 Statewide Closed Extended archery season
Rifle/Firearm Nov 15-30, 2025 Statewide Closed Firearms season
Muzzleloader Dec 6-22, 2025 Statewide Closed Muzzleloader season

Turkey 1 season

Method Dates Zone Status Notes Add to Calendar
Any Legal Method Apr 22 - May 17, 2026 Statewide Upcoming Spring season

Waterfowl 1 season

Method Dates Zone Status Notes Add to Calendar
Shotgun Oct 19, 2025 - Jan 12, 2026 Statewide Closed Zone-specific

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IN

Indiana Hunting Regulations

License year, species, and agency information

License Year
Apr 1, 2025 - Mar 31, 2026
Available Species
  • Deer
  • Turkey
  • Waterfowl
Hunting Methods
  • Archery
  • Rifle/Firearm
  • Muzzleloader
  • Any Legal Method
  • Shotgun
Official Source: Indiana Department of Natural Resources
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This information is for reference only. Always verify regulations with your state wildlife agency before hunting or fishing.

Last verified: January 2026

Important Note for Indiana

Indiana allows rifles for deer hunting in some calibers.

Hunting Method Legend

Archery Bow & Crossbow
Rifle/Firearm Modern rifles
Muzzleloader Black powder
Shotgun Shotguns only
Any Legal All methods

Indiana Hunting FAQ

Common questions about hunting seasons in Indiana

What are the hunting season dates for Indiana?

Indiana offers hunting seasons for Deer, Turkey, Waterfowl. The license year runs from Apr 1, 2025 to Mar 31, 2026. Check our complete calendar above for specific dates by species and method.

When does deer season start in Indiana?

Deer season in Indiana typically begins with archery season starting Oct 1, 2025, followed by firearms/rifle season starting Nov 15, 2025.

Does Indiana require a draw for hunting?

Indiana offers general season licenses for some species and may require draws for others like elk, moose, or pronghorn. Check specific requirements for your target species.

What hunting seasons are open now in Indiana?

The next season to open is Turkey starting Apr 22, 2026.

What should I know about hunting in Indiana?

Indiana allows rifles for deer hunting in some calibers.

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Indiana License Info

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