INDIANA – The free youth hunting days are scheduled for Nov. 25-26.
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 the calling of the 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.
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.
Only one antlerless deer may be taken on DNR-managed Fish and wildlife areas and some other DNR properties. The youth hunter must comply with all other deer hunting regulations.
