Free Youth Hunting Days
The free youth hunting days for 2024 are Sept. 7-8 and Nov. 30 & Dec. 1. Youth free hunting days are traditionally set as the first full weekend after Sept. 1 when dove and squirrel season are open, as well as the weekend after Thanksgiving when deer, rabbit, squirrel, and other gamebird and furbearer seasons are open.
Any resident age 17 or younger on the date of the hunt can take any legal game in season during these youth free hunting days. To participate, the youth must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years of age. The youth’s adult partner must be in close enough proximity to monitor and be able to communicate with the youth hunter at all times. The adult may help the youth hunter with calling game but may not carry a firearm, crossbow, or bow and arrow, except for a handgun carried lawfully. The adult must possess a valid hunting license unless exempt from needing a license. During the free youth hunting days, a hunting license, state migratory waterfowl stamp, or Harvest Information Program (HIP) number is not required to hunt waterfowl or other migratory birds for resident youth hunting or nonresident youth. All persons 16 years or older must possess a federal duck stamp.
Youth Waterfowl Season
Youth waterfowl season dates for 2024 are Oct. 12-13 (North Zone), Oct. 26-27 (Central Zone), and Nov. 2-3 (South Zone). Youth 17 or younger on the date of the hunt can participate but must be accompanied by an adult. A federal duck stamp is required for all persons 16 years of age or older. A state Waterfowl Stamp is not required to hunt waterfowl or other migratory birds for resident youth hunting or nonresident youth hunting license holders. A HIP registration number is required for all youth hunters during the youth waterfowl season.
The youth's adult partner must be in close enough proximity to monitor and be able to communicate with the youth hunter at all times. The adult may help the youth hunter with calling game but may not carry a firearm, crossbow, or bow and arrow, except for a handgun carried lawfully. The adult must possess a valid hunting license unless exempt from needing a license.
Youth Deer Season
Youth deer season in 2024 is Sept. 28-29. Youth age 17 or younger on the date of the hunt can participate but must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years of age.
The youth hunter can take an antlered deer and one (or more) antlerless deer. The youth hunter's antlerless deer limit is determined by the bonus county quota for the county being hunted. An antlered deer harvested during the youth season counts toward the statewide bag limit of one antlered deer.
The youth hunter must possess a valid deer hunting license while in the field, unless exempt from needing a license under state law. The youth’s adult partner must possess a valid hunting license of any type that is not an apprentice license.
The youth hunter and adult partner must wear hunter orange. The youth hunter may use a legal rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, air gun, bow and arrow, or crossbow to take a deer. The adult partner cannot take a deer and may not possess a firearm, muzzleloader, bow and arrow, or crossbow while in the field with the youth hunter, except for a handgun carried lawfully. Only one antlerless deer may be taken on DNR-managed Fish & Wildlife areas and some other DNR properties. The youth hunter must comply with all other deer hunting regulations.
Youth Turkey Season
The youth wild turkey season is April 20-21, 2024.
Youth age 17 or younger on the date of the hunt can participate but must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years of age.
The youth hunter must possess a valid license to take a wild turkey. The adult partner must possess a turkey hunting license and game bird habitat stamp if participating in the hunt (i.e., calling turkeys) unless exempt from license requirements.
The youth hunter may take only one bearded or male wild turkey during spring, which includes both the youth and regular spring turkey seasons. The youth must comply with all other turkey hunting regulations. The youth hunter may use any legal shotgun, bow and arrow, or crossbow. The youth’s adult partner must not possess a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow while in the field, except for a handgun carried lawfully.
National Wildlife Refuge Hunts
Turkey
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge will be hosting a youth hunt from April 20–21, 2024. There is no check-in for the youth hunt. If you have other questions, please call the refuge for additional information regarding your hunt. Hunters must stop hunting by 1 p.m. and be out of the field by 2 p.m.
Deer
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge is hosting a youth deer hunt this fall with dates to be announced later this year. The application period for the Muscatatuck is July 8 – Aug. 4. Late applications will not be accepted. You must obtain a valid youth comprehensive or youth deer hunting license prior to applying. Properly licensed youth hunters may apply for this hunt. Hunters must be 17 years of age or younger to participate. An adult, age 18 or older, must accompany all youth hunters.
Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge will have a special deer hunt for youth hunters this fall, with dates to be announced later this year. To apply for the Big Oaks NWR hunt, send a postcard that includes the youth's name, address, and phone number to:
Big Oaks NWR
1661 W. JPG Niblo Road
Madison, IN 47250
The application deadline for Big Oaks NWR will be announced later this year.
