Indiana Wildlife Schedule Guide: Everything Hunters Need for 2025-2026
Welcome to your complete guide for navigating Indiana’s game calendar for the 2025-2026 season! Whether you’re a seasoned Hoosier hunter or planning your first expedition to the Crossroads of America, this comprehensive breakdown covers everything you need to know about dates, permits, wildlife areas, and regulations.
Indiana offers some of the Midwest’s most diverse outdoor opportunities, from pursuing whitetails in the hardwood forests to waterfowl action along the state’s numerous waterways. We’ve compiled all the essential information to help you plan your adventures responsibly and successfully. Let’s dive into what this year’s schedule has in store.
📅 Quick Highlights
Before we get into the detailed breakdowns, here are the major highlights for the 2025-2026 game calendar:
Key Season Openers:
- Dove season kicks off September 1st
- Deer reduction zones open September 15th
- Early squirrel action starts August 15th
- Turkey enthusiasts get their spring opportunity April 23rd
Youth Opportunities:
- Special youth deer weekend: September 27-28
- Youth turkey dates: April 19-20
- Reduced license fees for hunters 17 and under
License Validity Period:
All annual licenses run from April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026
Big Game Overview
White-Tailed Deer Season Schedule
| Season Type | Dates | Weapon Requirements | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reduction Zone | Sept. 15, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026 | Archery, firearms, muzzleloader | Designated locations only, 10 deer bag limit |
| Youth Season | Sept. 27-28, 2025 | Any legal weapon | Hunters 17 and under |
| Archery | Oct. 1, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026 | Bow and arrow only | Longest season duration |
| Firearms | Nov. 15-30, 2025 | Rifles, shotguns, handguns | Peak rutting activity |
| Muzzleloader | Dec. 6-21, 2025 | Black powder firearms | Traditional equipment only |
Legal Hours: Half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset
The deer reduction zones (formerly called urban zones) deserve special attention. These designated areas allow extended seasons with higher bag limits to manage populations in specific locations. You’ll find an interactive map showing these zones on the Indiana DNR website.
For bag limits and specific regulations, always check the current game guide since they can vary by zone and season type. The deer license bundle remains popular, offering privileges to harvest two antlerless deer and one antlered buck.
Turkey Season Details
Spring and Fall Turkey Opportunities
| Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth Spring | April 19-20, 2025 | 1 bearded/male turkey | Any legal weapon |
| Spring | April 23 – May 11, 2025 | 1 bearded/male turkey | Shotgun, archery, crossbow |
| Fall Archery | Oct. 1-26, 2025 | 1 bird either sex | Bow and arrow only |
| Fall Firearms | Oct. 15-26, 2025 | 1 bird either sex | Shotgun only |
| Winter Season | Dec. 6, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026 | 1 bird either sex | Any legal weapon |
Important: Fall turkey seasons aren’t statewide – check the current guide for which counties are open. You’ll need separate licenses for spring and fall seasons, and remember that bag limits apply across all fall seasons combined.
Legal Hours: Half hour before sunrise to sunset
Furbearer Opportunities
Indiana’s furbearer seasons offer year-round action for predator enthusiasts and trappers:
| Species | Hunting Dates | Trapping Dates | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote & Striped Skunk | Oct. 15, 2025 – March 15, 2026 | Oct. 15, 2025 – March 15, 2026 | No closed season |
| Red & Gray Fox | Oct. 15, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 | Oct. 15, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026 | Popular winter pursuit |
| Raccoon & Opossum | Nov. 8, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026 | Nov. 8, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026 | Night hunting allowed |
| Beaver | Feb. 1, 2025 – Oct. 25, 2025 | No trapping | Spring season only |
| River Otter | No hunting | Nov. 15, 2025 – March 15, 2026 | 2 otter bag limit, quota managed |
| Bobcat | No hunting | Nov. 8, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026 | 1 bobcat limit, quota managed |
Dog running for raccoon and opossum is permitted during the chasing season, but no harvesting is allowed during this time.
Small Game Season Schedule
| Species | Season Dates | Daily Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gray & Fox Squirrel | Aug. 15, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026 | 5 | 10 |
| Rabbit | Nov. 1, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 | 5 | 10 |
| Pheasant (Cock Only) | Nov. 1 – Dec. 15, 2025 | 2 | 4 |
| Quail (North of I-74) | Nov. 1 – Dec. 15, 2025 | 4 | 8 |
| Quail (South of I-74) | Nov. 1, 2025 – Jan. 10, 2026 | 4 | 8 |
| Ruffed Grouse | Suspended | – | – |
Note: Bag limits on some DNR properties may differ from statewide regulations. Always check property-specific rules before your visit.
Complete Waterfowl Schedule
Indiana’s waterfowl seasons are divided into three zones, each with specific dates to optimize migration timing.
North Zone
| Species | Season Dates | Daily Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Ducks, Coots, Mergansers | Oct. 18 – Dec. 7, 2025 Dec. 20-28, 2025 | 6 ducks, 15 coots, 5 mergansers |
| Canada Geese | Sept. 1-10, 2025 Oct. 18-26, 2025 Nov. 22, 2025 – Feb. 15, 2026 | Varies by period |
| White-fronted Geese | Nov. 22, 2025 – Feb. 15, 2026 | 2 |
| Youth & Veteran | Oct. 11-12, 2025 | Same as regular season |
Central Zone
| Species | Season Dates | Daily Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Ducks, Coots, Mergansers | Nov. 1-9, 2025 Nov. 22, 2025 – Jan. 11, 2026 | 6 ducks, 15 coots, 5 mergansers |
| Canada Geese | Sept. 1-10, 2025 Nov. 1-9, 2025 Nov. 22, 2025 – Feb. 15, 2026 | Varies by period |
| Youth & Veteran | Oct. 25-26, 2025 | Same as regular season |
South Zone
| Species | Season Dates | Daily Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Ducks, Coots, Mergansers | Nov. 8-9, 2025 Nov. 29, 2025 – Jan. 25, 2026 | 6 ducks, 15 coots, 5 mergansers |
| Canada Geese | Sept. 1-14, 2025 Nov. 8-12, 2025 Nov. 22, 2025 – Feb. 15, 2026 | Varies by period |
| Youth & Veteran | Nov. 1-2, 2025 | Same as regular season |
Special Seasons:
- Early Teal: Sept. 6-14, 2025 (6 bird limit)
- Light Geese: 20 bird daily limit, no possession limit
Legal Hours: Half hour before sunrise to sunset
Federal Duck Stamp Required: Don’t forget your federal migratory bird stamp along with state requirements.
Other Available Game
Migratory Birds
| Species | Season Dates | Daily Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | Sept. 1 – Oct. 19, 2025 Nov. 1-30, 2025 Dec. 20-30, 2025 | 15 |
| Woodcock | Oct. 15 – Nov. 28, 2025 | 3 |
| Snipe | Sept. 1 – Dec. 16, 2025 | 8 |
| Sora Rail | Sept. 1 – Nov. 9, 2025 | 25 |
Miscellaneous Species
| Species | Season Dates | Daily Limit / Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Crow | July 1 – Aug. 15, 2025 Dec. 13, 2025 – March 1, 2026 | No limit |
| Green Frog & Bullfrog | June 15, 2025 – April 30, 2026 | 25 (combined) |
| Snapping Turtle & Softshells | July 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026 | 4 (minimum 12-inch carapace length) |
Similar to hunting opportunities in Alabama’s diverse ecosystems, Indiana offers a wide variety of game species throughout the year.
Hunting Zones and Public Lands
Indiana provides extensive public land opportunities through its network of Wildlife Management Areas, State Forests, and National Wildlife Refuges. The state’s interactive mapping system makes it easy to locate public hunting areas near you.
Key Public Land Types:
- Fish & Wildlife Areas
- State Forests
- National Wildlife Refuges
- Military Reservations (with special permits)
Important Resources:
- Interactive public land map: on.IN.gov/where2hunt
- Deer reduction zone map available through Indiana DNR
- Property-specific regulations may apply
Always verify current access rules and any special restrictions before visiting public properties. Some areas require advance reservations or have specific check-in procedures.
Permits, Tags & License Details
Resident License Fees (2025-2026)
| License Type | Fee | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Hunting | $17 | Base hunting license |
| Youth Hunt/Trap (17 & under) | $12 | Includes all privileges |
| Deer License Bundle | $41 | 2 antlerless + 1 antlered |
| Antlerless Deer (First) | $39 | Multiseason license |
| Antlerless Deer (Additional) | $7 | After purchasing first |
| Spring Turkey | $19 | Separate from hunting license |
| Fall Turkey | $19 | Required in addition to spring |
| Gamebird Habitat Stamp | $7.75 | Required for upland birds |
| Migratory Waterfowl Stamp | $6.25 | Plus federal duck stamp |
Non-Resident License Fees
| License Type | Fee | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Hunting | $90 | Base hunting license |
| Youth Annual (17 & under) | $20 | Reduced rate for youth |
| Five-Day Hunting | $50 | Short-term option |
| Deer License Bundle | $550 | Includes 2 antlerless + 1 antlered |
| Antlerless Deer (First) | $240 | Multiseason license |
| Spring Turkey | $50 | Separate license required |
Special Programs:
- Apprentice licenses available for new hunters (maximum 3 lifetime)
- Military/Refuge deer licenses for specific properties
- Senior exemptions for residents born before April 1, 1943
License Validity: All annual licenses are valid April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
Hunter Education: Required for anyone born after December 31, 1986 (apprentice licenses exempt)
Indiana Game Schedule Quick FAQ
Q: When do I need to buy my 2025-2026 licenses?
A: Annual licenses go on sale in January and are valid from April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. You can purchase them early to be ready for the new season.
Q: Can I hunt in deer reduction zones with my regular deer license?
A: Yes, but the reduction zones have special bag limits (up to 10 deer) and extended seasons. Your regular licenses work there, but you can’t use the deer bundle toward reduction zone limits.
Q: Do I need separate licenses for spring and fall turkey?
A: Absolutely! Spring and fall turkey require separate licenses, even though they’re both turkey seasons. Many hunters miss this detail.
Q: What’s the difference between the three waterfowl zones?
A: The zones follow migration patterns – North Zone opens earliest, South Zone latest. This timing helps optimize hunting during peak bird movement periods.
Q: Are there any free hunting opportunities in Indiana?
A: Youth 17 and under get significant discounts, and there are some license exemptions for certain situations. Check the DNR website for current exemption details.
Q: Can I hunt on private land without permission?
A: Never! Always obtain written permission from landowners. Trespassing is illegal and gives hunters a bad reputation.
Q: What happens if seasons change after I buy my license?
A: Season dates and bag limits can change due to biological surveys or federal regulations. Always check current regulations before heading out, even mid-season.
🔗 Essential Resources and Related Guides
Official Indiana Resources:
- Indiana DNR Fish & Wildlife Division
- GoOutdoorsIN.com (license purchases)
- Interactive hunting area maps
- Current hunting and trapping guide
Planning Your Trip:
For hunters considering multi-state adventures, you might also explore opportunities in nearby states like Illinois hunting seasons for additional waterfowl and deer opportunities.
Important Reminders:
- Federal migratory bird stamp required for waterfowl
- Hunter orange requirements during firearm seasons
- Property boundary awareness and permission
- Harvest reporting requirements where applicable
Conclusion
Indiana’s 2025-2026 schedule offers something for every outdoor enthusiast, from early dove action through late-season deer opportunities. The variety of species, extended seasons, and quality public land access make the Hoosier State a destination worth planning around.
Key takeaways for success this season: get your licenses early, scout your areas in advance, and always double-check current regulations before heading afield. The reduction zone opportunities provide excellent extended deer action, while the waterfowl zones offer strategic timing for migration hunting.
Remember that regulations can change, so bookmark this page and check back for updates throughout the season. Most importantly, hunt safely, ethically, and help preserve these traditions for future generations.
Whether you’re chasing that wall-hanger whitetail through November hardwoods or working a wood duck hole at first light, Indiana’s diverse landscape and generous seasons provide the backdrop for memorable outdoor experiences. Get your gear ready, mark those calendars, and make this your best season yet!
