(UNDATED) – The deer firearms season is from Nov. 14-29.
Officials remind hunters the deer firearms license allows a hunter to take only one buck.
Hunters can harvest an antlerless deer during the firearms season with a firearm if they possess a deer bundle license, bonus antlerless license, resident youth consolidated hunting and trapping license, or comprehensive lifetime hunting license.
Antlerless deer taken with a firearm during the firearms season would count toward the bonus antlerless quota, unless you are hunting in a deer reduction zone with the appropriate license and count the deer toward the deer reduction zone bag limit. Bonus antlerless deer cannot be taken on all DNR properties. To find information about restrictions visit here.
Bonus antlerless deer cannot be taken in Benton or Tipton counties until Nov. 26.
Muzzleloader season is Dec. 5-20, 2020 and Special Antlerless: Dec. 26, 2020-Jan. 3, 2021 (where open).
A full list of season dates, bag limits, and legal equipment can be found on the deer-hunting question and answers page.
A valid Indiana deer hunting license, resident youth hunt/trap, or comprehensive lifetime hunting license is required to hunt for deer unless you meet one of the license exemptions.
All deer harvested in Indiana must be reported within 48 hours of the time of harvest at an on-site check station, online through your Indiana Fish & Wildlife Account or by phone at 1-800-419-1326. There is a $3 charge for the phone service, payable only by Visa or Mastercard.
All property visitors should be aware of their surroundings – hunters are required to wear hunter orange during deer firearms season and should be easy to spot. Non-hunters should consider wearing hunter orange if they plan to venture off-trail.
Carcasses of deer and other wild animals that are lawfully taken cannot be dumped in streams or other bodies of water. Dumping dead deer and other wild animals in a waterway is considered littering and is a criminal offense punishable by a fine. Rotting carcasses in a waterway can also affect water quality for those downstream. Carcasses should not be burned because this can cause air pollution. Carcasses shouldn’t be left in the open for scavengers and others to see without permission from the landowner. Officials recommend all discarded carcasses and unwanted animal parts be bagged, placed in your trash, and sent to a landfill.
Questions about deer seasons and regulations can be directed to the Deer Hotline at INDeerHotline@dnr.IN.gov or call 812-334-3795, from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
Hunting and trapping seasons in November
Hunting
Deer Firearms: Nov. 14 – Nov. 29
Dove: Nov. 1 – Nov. 15
Pheasant (Cock only): Nov. 1 – Dec.15
Rabbit: Nov. 1 – Feb. 28, 2021
Raccoon, Opossum: Nov. 8 – Jan. 31, 2021
Quail:
– (north of Interstate 74): Nov. 1 – Dec. 15
– (south of Interstate 74): Nov. 1 – Jan. 10, 2021
Canada Geese:
– North Zone: Nov. 21 – Feb. 14, 2021
– Central Zone: Nov. 21 – Feb. 14, 2021
– South Zone: Nov. 7 – 22, Nov. 28 – Feb. 14, 2021
Ducks:
– Central Zone: Nov. 21 – Jan. 10, 2021
– South Zone: Nov. 7 – 8, Nov. 28 – Jan. 24, 2021
Trapping
Beaver: Nov. 15 – March 15, 2021
Mink, Muskrat, Weasel: Nov. 15 – Jan. 31, 2021
Raccoon, Opossum: Nov. 8 – Jan. 31, 2020
River Otter: Nov. 15 – March 15, 2020 (or until quota is met)
