INDIANA — Deer hunters across Indiana will need to familiarize themselves with a host of significant regulatory changes this season, as the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has enacted major updates to the state’s deer hunting rules for the 2025-2026 hunting season.
The changes, which include updated bag limits, new equipment allowances, and streamlined licensing, were implemented, in part, to make Indiana’s hunting regulations easier for the public to understand.
Key Changes to Bag Limits and Licenses
One of the most notable changes revamps the antlerless deer harvest structure:
- Statewide Bag Limit: The statewide limit is now fixed at six antlerless deer and one antlered deer for all combined seasons.
- New County Antlerless Bag Limit: The complex system of season antlerless bag limits and county bonus antlerless quotas has been replaced by a single, newly created County Antlerless Bag Limit.
- Multi-Season License: The former Bonus Antlerless License has been replaced by the Multi-Season Antlerless License, simplifying the process for harvesting antlerless deer.
- Bundle License: Hunters using the bundle license are now limited to harvesting a total of one antlered and two antlerless deer.
Expanded Equipment Use and Property Rules
In a move welcomed by many hunters, the DNR has made key adjustments to legal equipment and property use:
- Crossbows in Archery Season: The use of crossbow equipment is now allowed when hunting with the Archery License during the entire archery season (Oct. 1, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026).
- Expanded Rifle Caliber: Following the enactment of state law (IC 14-22-2-8), hunters can now use rifles with a centerfire cartridge that has a bullet diameter of .219 inches (5.56 mm) or larger on both public and private lands, removing previous restrictions.
- Tree Stands and Blinds: Portable tree stands and ground blinds can now be placed on DNR properties located in Deer Reduction Zones between noon Sept. 1 and Feb. 8.
- Drone Prohibition: State law explicitly prohibits the use of drones (unmanned aerial aircraft) to search for, scout, locate, or detect a wild animal during the hunting season and for 14 days before the hunting season for that animal.
Upcoming Deer Hunting Seasons:
- Reduction Zone Season: Sept. 15, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026 (where open)
- Archery Season: Oct. 1, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026
- Firearms Season: Nov. 15 – Nov. 30, 2025
- Muzzleloader Season: Dec. 6- Dec. 21, 2025
Hunters should note a key restriction: antlerless deer cannot be taken with a firearm during the Firearms Season at Fish & Wildlife areas.
For questions about equipment, regulations, or licensing needs, hunters are encouraged to contact the Deer Information Line at INDeerInfo@dnr.IN.gov or 812-334-3795.
