Using Data to Manage Deer
Indiana DNR’s deer management goal is to focus deer herd management in a strategically targeted manner to more adequately balance the ecological, recreational, and economic needs of Indiana citizens. This allows DNR the ability to examine each county or similar area independently to determine the desired direction of the deer herd size and implement management to move in that direction.
With this goal in mind, DNR is developing population models that are sensitive to changes in deer densities, obtaining data on the opinions of individuals who have an interest in deer management, understanding the effects of deer on their habitat, and integrating that information into a model to make recommendations for deer densities and set bag limits.
Specifically, DNR is working to obtain deer population data using a combination of conventional distance sampling and spatially explicit models that will provide sub-county estimates of deer populations throughout Indiana using a combination of drones, crewed aircraft, and remote cameras. DNR continues to use an annual deer management survey to understand attitudes and desires regarding county-level deer densities and bag limits. Finally, DNR develops ecological data related to deer densities using standardized methods to measure woody stem density and diversity on both public and private land. Once DNR develops trends from each of these data sets, specific deer density objectives will be developed throughout the state at the finest scale possible.
The annual Indiana White-tailed Deer Report outlines the year’s work to achieve Indiana’s deer management goal.
Deer Data Hub
County Deer Statistics
Each year, DNR compiles county-level deer data across Indiana.
Deer Info Map
View an interactive map of deer data across Indiana
Deer Harvest Data
Preliminary data updated once per day during deer hunting seasons.
Deer Management Survey
Annual online survey for hunters and non-hunters.
Deer Management Survey Results
Results from each annual survey are summarized in these interactive dashboards.
After Hunt Survey
For hunters, this survey captures data that was historically collected at check stations.
Deer Management Reports
Search for more historical reports in the archive.
- 2025 Indiana White-Tailed Deer Report
- 2024 Indiana White-Tailed Deer Report
- 2023 Indiana White-Tailed Deer Report
- 2022 Indiana White-Tailed Deer Report
- 2021 Indiana White-Tailed Deer Report
- 2020 Indiana White-Tailed Deer Report
- 2019 Indiana White-Tailed Deer Report
- 2019 County Deer Data
- 2018 Indiana White-Tailed Deer Report
- 2018 Harvest Data by County
- 2017 Indiana White-Tailed Deer Report
- 2016 Indiana White-Tailed Deer Report
- 2015 Indiana White-Tailed Deer Report
- 2014 Indiana White-Tailed Deer Report
- 2013 Indiana White-Tailed Deer Report
- 2013 Check Station Report
- 2012 Damage Control Program Report
- 2013 Bovine Tuberculosis Surveillance and Monitoring Summary
- 2013 Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Surveillance and Monitoring Summary
- 2010 Hunter Survey Summary
- 2008 Landowner Survey Summary
More Deer Info
