(UNDATED) – Bowhunters can pursue deer now until January 3, 2021.
Buy an archery license, a crossbow license, a bonus antlerless license, or a deer bundle license online today at on.IN.gov/INHuntFish.
A crossbow license is required to use a crossbow during the deer archery season, unless you have a bonus antlerless license, deer license bundle, resident youth comprehensive hunting license, or comprehensive lifetime hunting license.
A bonus antlerless license can be used to take an additional antlerless deer with archery equipment or a crossbow in accordance with that county’s quota. Please note that bonus antlerless deer cannot be taken in Benton or Tipton counties until Nov. 26, and some DNR properties do not allow bonus antlerless deer to be taken on that property.
If you’re hunting from a tree stand, remember to use a safety harness to prevent falls.
For more information on bag limits and quotas visit the Indiana Hunting & Trapping Guide.
Buy your deer license now
Signing in to buy hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses looks a little different now. A new state online portal called Access Indiana, which allows citizens to interact with multiple Indiana state agencies through a single login, has launched. If you haven’t already purchased your hunting license for this fall, DNR officials suggest creating your Access Indiana account today.
Find instructions for getting started online. For additional assistance with a username or password, call 800-457-8283 for Access Indiana customer support. The DNR is unable to assist with usernames and passwords. More information about the Access Indiana portal, answers to FAQs, and other helpful information is available online.
If you buy your license at a store near you, don’t wait in long lines at your license retailer the day before the season starts – buy now. Find a list of license retailers online. Check your license for accuracy before you leave the store.
If you hunt in more than one season, a deer bundle license is the license deal for you. A deer bundle license can be used in all seasons (except the deer reduction zone season) using legal equipment during that season and gives the hunter the privilege to harvest up to three deer (3 antlerless OR 1 antlered and 2 antlerless deer).
Season dates, legal equipment, and all other deer hunting laws apply. Antlerless deer taken with a deer license bundle can count toward the archery season bag limit, muzzleloader season bag limit, or as a bonus antlerless deer in that county, depending on the season and equipment used.
Find more information about deer licenses, seasons, and regulations on the DNR website. Remember, the resident youth consolidated hunt/trap license includes all deer hunting privileges.
Deer processing may be different this year
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some Indiana deer processors may have adjusted hours, may not be taking full carcasses, or may not be taking deer at all this fall.
Indiana DNR recommends you plan ahead and contact your processor before taking a deer to them.
For the do-it-yourselfer, videos about skinning, butchering, and preparing your meat are available at deer.dnr.IN.gov under Field to Freezer: Meat Preparation.
Remember to wear gloves, wash your hands after processing, and clean and disinfect your instruments after use.
Have questions about deer seasons or regulations?
Use DNR’s Deer Hotline by emailing INDeerHotline@dnr.IN.gov or calling 812-334-3795, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
