INDIANA — The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that the application window for the state’s upcoming fall reserved hunting draws will officially open on Monday, July 6, 2026.
These highly competitive, limited-opportunity hunts are designed to safely manage hunter numbers on public and private DNR-managed properties when demand outpaces available land. This round of applications encompasses a variety of unique opportunities on both public Fish & Wildlife Areas (FWAs) and private properties enrolled in the Indiana Private Lands Access (IPLA) program.
Hunters have until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, to submit their entries.
Available Hunting Opportunities
The July application window features several seasonal opportunities across the state:
Dove Hunts
Available at various Fish & Wildlife Areas (FWAs) and designated Game Bird Areas, including:
- Atterbury FWA, Blue Grass FWA, Jasper-Pulaski FWA, Kankakee FWA, Kingsbury FWA, Pigeon River FWA, and Wilbur Wright FWA.
Waterfowl & Small Game (IPLA Sites)
- Teal and Early Goose: Available on private land access sites in Bartholomew, DeKalb, and Sullivan counties.
- Squirrel: Available on private land access sites in Bartholomew and Scott counties.
Youth-Specific Hunting (IPLA & National Refuges)
- Youth Deer (IPLA Sites): Hosted in LaPorte, Cass, Sullivan, Bartholomew, and Scott counties.
- National Wildlife Refuges (NWR): Dedicated Youth Deer hunts at Muscatatuck NWR and Big Oaks NWR.
Essential Application Rules and the Drawing Process
State wildlife officials emphasize that the online method is the only way to apply for these draws; paper entries or late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.
To maintain the system, a non-refundable $1 technology fee will be charged for each hunt application purchased. All hunters must possess a valid Indiana hunting license for the specific species and equipment relevant to the hunt at the time they submit their application.
Following the July 29 deadline, hunters at each participating property will be selected through random, computerized draws. All applicants will receive an automatic email notification once the computerized drawing process is finalized, and hunters will be able to log in to view their results online within two weeks of the window closing.
Navigating the New Licensing System
As a critical reminder for the 2026 season, the Indiana DNR is utilizing its updated licensing platform, which originally rolled out in late 2024, to replace the state’s legacy system.
To apply, hunters should use the following step-by-step process:
- Visit the official portal at GoOutdoorsIN.com and click the login button on the homepage.
- You will be redirected to the secure Access Indiana system, where you must log in or quickly build a new profile if you have not done so already.
- Once authenticated, Access Indiana will loop you right back to your personal Activity Hub dashboard.
- First-Time Users: If this is your first time accessing the updated system, you must use the lookup tool to locate your profile history and verify that your personal data and customer ID are entirely accurate.
- From the dashboard, navigate to the product catalog, select the desired reserved hunts to add them to your cart, and complete the digital checkout to officially enter the lottery.
For a comprehensive breakdown of hunt rules, boundary maps, and specific property guidelines, hunters can view the complete listings online.
