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Reserved Hunt Information

  • This page will be updated when information regarding 2026 hunts on these properties becomes available.

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What is a reserved hunt?

When hunter demand exceeds available hunting opportunities, it becomes necessary to manage hunter numbers. Reserved hunts offer a chance to participate in a limited hunting opportunity on public and private DNR-managed lands. After an online application period, DNR conducts a random draw to select the specified number of hunters. If selected, hunters receive advance notification including hunt instructions and associated maps.

What do I need to apply or view draw results?

  • A valid hunting license for the species you intend to hunt for that season/equipment.
  • Hunt applications are offered online through the Division of Fish & Wildlife Activity Hub at GoOutdoorsIN.com or through the GoOutdoorsIN smartphone app. All customers must log in through Access Indiana. Those with existing Access Indiana accounts will be able to log in without disruption. When logging into the new system for the first time, you will need to look yourself up in the system and verify your personal information. After that, in your next log-in, you will be taken directly to your account page.
  • Results are posted within two weeks after the application period has closed. View results at GoOutdoorsIN.com.
  • A $1 tech fee is charged for each hunt application. The fee is used to fund administrative costs associated with the reserved draw program.

  1. Click the Login button on the homepage to be directed to your customer dashboard.
  2. Click the Enter a Reserved Hunt Drawing tile in the upper right corner of the page.
  3. In the hunt application section of the product catalog, click the Add button next to the desired reserved hunt.
  4. If you are applying for a State Park deer management hunt, please select individual, group leader, or group member. You should only apply as a group leader or group member if you do not want to hunt unless all members in your group are selected. If you select group leader, you will need to enter the customer ID numbers for each member of your group. If you are applying as a group member, you will need to enter the customer ID number for the group leader. Group leaders must apply first. Only the group leader can make the property selection.
  5. If a license or stamp is required for the hunt application, the system will prompt you to add the required privileges.
  6. Click the Proceed to Checkout button in the upper right corner of the page.
  7. The system will prompt you to select your hunt choices.
  8. Click the Create button.
  9. Click Save to save your choices and proceed to checkout. You also have the option to click the Edit button to edit hunt choices before submission.
  10. Click the Pay Now to complete the purchase.
  11. After the purchase, the system will display a checkout confirmation page on which you can click the Print Hunt Applications button to view and print the hunt application.

  1. Click the Login button on the homepage to be directed to your customer dashboard.
  2. In the Licenses, Tags, Permits, & Applications section on the left side of the page, click the Reserved Hunts link.
  3. The reserved hunts page will display your hunt applications.
  4. The season dropdown menu enables you to select which season to view for your corresponding reserved hunt applications.
  5. Click the View button to view the hunt application information.
  6. If you would like to change your hunt choice, click the Edit button. Your hunt application cannot be edited after the hunt application end date has passed.

  • Indiana DNR’s preference point system is not a true preference system in which hunters with the most preference points get drawn first. Instead, our system makes it more likely that people with the most points will get drawn.
  • Customers can now view their preference points in the Activity Hub. (Note that preference points were not transferred from our former license system because migrating preference points from that system was not feasible).
  • You are awarded 1 preference point for each unsuccessful hunt application per hunt type (e.g., Spring Turkey, Dove, Deer)
  • As you accrue more preference points, you are more likely to be drawn for a reserved hunt (by the number of preference points squared).
  • After a successful application, points reset to zero for the hunt type you were drawn in.

2026 Reserved Hunts

Areas participating in reserved hunts are managed by various agencies and may have unique restrictions that each hunter must follow. Please read each area’s information packet carefully before pursuing a hunt.

Hunters have the choice of applying for hunts at any of the participating private lands properties. Late applications will not be accepted. You must obtain a valid hunting license and applicable stamp, if required. Youth hunters may apply to any hunt if they are properly licensed. Drawn hunters will have access to PDF information packets outlining the details of each hunt.

Deer Archery (Application period: 08/17 - 09/16/2026)

Participating private lands by county:

  • Bartholomew
  • Cass
  • LaPorte
  • Scott
  • Sullivan
Early Small Game Squirrel (Application period: 07/06 - 07/29/2026) EXPIRED

Participating private lands by county:

  • Bartholomew (1 property)
  • Scott (1 property)
Teal and Early Goose (Application period: 07/06 - 07/29/2026) EXPIRED

Participating private lands by county:

  • Batholomew (1 property)
  • DeKalb (1 property)
  • Sullivan (2 properties)
Youth Deer (Application period: 07/06 - 07/29/2026) EXPIRED

Participating private lands by county:

  • Bartholomew (3 properties)
  • Cass (1 property)
  • LaPorte (1 property)
  • Scott (1 property)
  • Sullivan (2 properties)
Deer Firearms (Application period: 8/17 - 9/16/2026)

Participating private lands by county:

  • Bartholomew
  • Cass
  • Harrison
  • LaPorte
  • Scott
  • Sullivan
Early Season Waterfowl (Application period: 8/17 - 9/16/2026)

Participating private lands by county:

  • Bartholomew
  • DeKalb
  • Sullivan
Pheasant, Quail, and Woodcock (Application period: 8/17 - 9/16/2026)

Participating private lands by county:

  • DeKalb
  • Greene
  • Jasper
  • Pike
  • Scott
  • Steuben
  • Sullivan
    Late season Deer Archery/Muzzleloader (Application period: 8/17 – 9/16/2026)

    Participating private lands by county:

    • Bartholomew
    • Cass
    • LaPorte
    • Scott
    • Sullivan
    Late Season Waterfowl (Application period: 8/17 – 9/16/2026)

    Participating private lands by county:

    • Bartholomew
    • DeKalb
    • Sullivan
    Late Season Rabbit and Squirrel (Application period: 8/17 – 9/16/2026)

    Participating private lands by county:

    • Bartholomew
    • Scott
    • Sullivan
    Spring Turkey (Application period: 2/25 – 3/18/2026) EXPIRED

    Participating private lands by county:

    • Bartholomew
    • Cass
    • Greene
    • Harrison
    • LaPorte
    • Noble
    • Ripley
    • Scott
    • Starke
    • Sullivan

    Youth age 17 or younger on the date of the hunt can apply but must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years of age when participating in a hunt. Youth hunters must be properly licensed prior to applying. Late applications will not be accepted.

    Deer
    National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) (Application period: 07/06 - 07/29/2026) EXPIRED
    Indiana Private Lands Access program (IPLA) (Application period: 07/06 - 07/29/2026) EXPIRED

    Participating private lands by county:

    • Bartholomew (3 properties)
    • Cass (1 property)
    • Greene (1 property)
    • LaPorte (1 property)
    • Scott (1 property)
    • Sullivan (2 properties)
    Game Birds
    Youth Gamebird Habitat Areas (GHA) (Application period: 8/17 - 9/16/2026)

    Below are the names of participating Gamebird Habitat Areas.

    (Areas are randomly assigned to drawn hunters. Maps and further information will be provided if the hunter is successfully drawn.)

    • Carlson
    • Cartmell
    • Cattail Slough
    • Deno
    • Donohue
    • Falwell
    • Flora
    • Geswein
    • Goose Creek Unit 1
    • Goose Creek Unit 2
    • Goose Creek Unit 3
    • Greenwood Ditch
    • Hawkins
    • Idaville
    • Iroquois
    • Jefvert
    • Kirsch
    • Knobview
    • Lyons
    • McGinnis-Lauerman
    • Metro-60
    • Mud Pine
    • Nickel Plate
    • Pine Creek #1
    • Pine Creek #2
    • Pine Creek #3
    • Pine Creek #4
    • Pine Creek #5
    • Pine Creek #6
    • Raub
    • Roger McClellan
    • Sandy Ridge
    • Triplett
    • Vinegar Hill
    • Vinyard
    • Watland
    • White County One
    • Willow Island
    Spring Turkey
    Fish & Wildlife Areas (FWA) (Application period: 2/25-3/18/2026) EXPIRED
    State Parks (Application period: 2/25-3/18/2026) EXPIRED
    National Wildlife Refuges (NWR)  (Application period: 2/25- 3/18/2026) EXPIRED
    • Muscatatuck
    • Big Oaks NWR will not host a turkey hunt in 2026. Please consider applying for turkey hunting opportunities at other properties participating in the reserved draw turkey hunt.
    Indiana Private Lands Access program (IPLA) (Application period: 2/25-3/18/2026) EXPIRED

    Participating private lands by county:

    • Bartholomew
    • Cass
    • Greene
    • Harrison
    • LaPorte
    • Ripley
    • Scott
    • Starke
    • Sullivan

    Hunt periods, area maps, and property specific restrictions are included in the hunter information PDF packets below. You must obtain a valid hunting license and applicable stamp, if required, prior to applying. Late applications will not be accepted.

    National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) (Application period: 8/17 - 9/16/2026)

    Fish & Wildlife Areas (FWA) and Nature Preserves (Application period: 8/17 - 9/16/2026)

    State Park Deer Management (Application period: 8/17 - 9/16/2026)

    Deer management hunts will be held at the below State Park properties:

    • Brown County State Park
    • Cave River Valley Natural Area
    • Chain O'Lakes State Park
    • Charlestown State Park
    • Clifty Falls State Park-Archery Only
    • Fort Harrison State Park- Archery Only
    • Harmonie State Park
    • Indiana Dunes State Park
    • Lincoln State Park
    • McCormick's Creek State Park
    • O'Bannon Woods State Park
    • Ouabache State Park
    • Pokagon State Park
    • Potato Creek State Park
    • Prophetstown State Park
    • Raccoon State Recreation Area
    • Shades State Park
    • Shakamak State Park
    • Spring Mill State Park
    • Summit Lake State Park
    • Tippecanoe River State Park
    • Trine State Recreation Area-Archery Only
    • Turkey Run State Park
    • Versailles State Park
    • Whitewater Memorial State Park

    Hunt dates are Nov. 16-17, 2026 and Nov. 30 – Dec. 1, 2026. Hunters may apply individually or as part of a group. Hunters should only apply as a group if they are not interested in hunting unless all group members are drawn. Group and individual applications are weighted equally; a group application does not guarantee all group members will get drawn. Hunters must be 18 years old by Nov. 16, 2026, to participate. Clifty Falls State Park, Fort Harrison State Park, and Trine State Recreation Area are archery hunting only. All other properties are firearms only. Firearms legal for public lands are legal for State Park hunts.

    More information can be found here.

    Chronic Wasting Disease

    Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal infectious disease affecting the nervous systems of white-tailed deer. This untreatable disease is caused by misfolded prions shed from infected deer through bodily secretions like saliva and urine.

    CWD was first detected in Indiana in 2024. Since then, cases have been detected in multiple counties across the state. You can see up-to-date detections at on.IN.gov/CWD.

    CWD prions are highly resistant to disinfectants, freezing, and heat; cooking or burning will not inactivate them. Although it is not currently known to infect humans, DNR recommends testing your harvested deer for CWD. If the deer tests positive, DNR suggests not eating the meat. If you would like to have your harvested deer tested for CWD you can:

    1. Submit your deer’s head to a DNR drop-off cooler (all hunting seasons).
    2. Submit samples to select private businesses across the state (all hunting seasons).
    3. Submit samples directly to Purdue’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab (ADDL) for a fee.

    See on.IN.gov/cwd for more details about CWD, where it has been found, and testing locations.

    Hunt periods, area maps, and property specific restrictions are included in the hunter information PDF packets below. You must obtain a valid hunting license and game bird habitat stamp, if required, prior to applying. Late applications will not be accepted.

    Fish & Wildlife Areas (FWA) (Application period: 07/06 - 07/29/2026) EXPIRED

    Gamebird Habitat Areas (GHA) November and December (Application period: 8/17 - 9/16/2026)
      Youth Gamebird Habitat Areas (GHA) (Application period: 8/17 - 9/16/2026) 

      Below are the names of participating Gamebird Habitat Areas.

      (Areas are randomly assigned to drawn hunters. Maps and further information will be provided if the hunter is successfully drawn.)

      • Carlson
      • Cartmell
      • Cattail Slough
      • Deno
      • Donohue
      • Falwell
      • Flora
      • Geswein
      • Goose Creek Unit 1
      • Goose Creek Unit 2
      • Goose Creek Unit 3
      • Greenwood Ditch
      • Hawkins
      • Idaville
      • Iroquois
      • Jefvert
      • Kirsch
      • Knobview
      • Lyons
      • McGinnis-Lauerman
      • Metro-60
      • Mud Pine
      • Nickel Plate
      • Pine Creek #1
      • Pine Creek #2
      • Pine Creek #3
      • Pine Creek #4
      • Pine Creek #5
      • Pine Creek #6
      • Raub
      • Roger McClellan
      • Sandy Ridge
      • Triplett
      • Vinegar Hill
      • Vinyard
      • Watland
      • White County One
      • Willow Island

       

      Put and Take pheasant hunts are by reservation only and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. A $30 fee and a $1 tech fee are charged for each reservation.

      Reservations will be available for purchase through the IN DNR Activity Hub starting Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 7 a.m. ET. The 2026 hunts will take place between Nov. 21 and Nov. 29.

      Fish & Wildlife Areas (FWA)
      • Atterbury
      • Glendale
      • J.E. Roush
      • Pigeon River
      • Tri County
      • Winamac

      To allow the continued re-establishment of wild ring-necked pheasants and bobwhite quail, put-and-take pheasant hunts are no longer offered at Willow Slough FWA. Wild ring-necked pheasant hunting is available at Willow Slough FWA and associated properties during the regular season (Nov. 1 – Dec. 15). For more information on local gamebird hunting opportunities, please call the property office at 219-285-2704.

      Hunters have the choice of applying for five hunt periods at any of the participating areas. Hunt periods, area maps, and property specific restrictions are included in the hunter information PDF packets below.

      Fish & Wildlife Areas (FWA) (Application period 8/17 - 9/16/2026)

      Hunters have the choice of applying for two hunt periods at any of the participating areas. Late applications will not be accepted. You must obtain a valid hunting license and Gamebird Habitat stamp for spring turkey hunting prior to applying. Youth hunters may apply if they are properly licensed to hunt spring turkey Hunters may make changes to their application until the end of the application period.

      Hunt periods, area maps, and property specific restrictions are included in the hunter information PDF packets below.

      Fish & Wildlife Areas (FWA) (Application period: 2/25 – 3/18/2026) EXPIRED
      Wetland Conservation Areas (Application period: 2/25 – 3/18/2026) EXPIRED

      State Parks (Application period: 2/25 – 3/18/2026) EXPIRED

      National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) (Application period: 2/25 – 3/18/2026) EXPIRED
      • Muscatatuck
      • Big Oaks NWR will not host a turkey hunt in 2026. Please consider applying for turkey hunting opportunities at other properties participating in the reserved draw turkey hunt.

      Past hunt draw results