Reserved hunt applications open for waterfowl, deer, and gamebirds

Hunters can apply for Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reserved hunts at GoOutdoorsIN.com. Reserved hunts included in this round include Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA) waterfowl, FWA and Nature Preserves deer, November Gamebird Areas, and Indiana Private Lands Access (IPLA) hunts.

The online application method is the only way to apply for the hunts listed. No late entries will be accepted. Applicants must possess a hunting license that is valid for the hunt for which they apply. A $1 tech fee is charged for each hunt application purchased.
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Sept. 17. For a complete list of hunts available, see on.IN.gov/reservedhunt.

An important note about applying for a hunt:

In December 2024 a new license system, the Activity Hub, replaced the former system. To purchase a license or apply for a reserved hunt, follow the instructions below, leaving yourself plenty of time to log in and learn how the system works.

Click the login button on the home page of GoOutdoorsIN.com. From there, you will be taken to Access Indiana, where you will be required to log in or create an account. Once logged in through Access Indiana, you will automatically be directed back to the Activity Hub. From there, you can purchase a license and apply for reserved hunts. If it's your first time using the Activity Hub, you will need to look yourself up in the system and verify or correct your personal information.

Hunters at each participating property will be selected through random computerized draws and will be able to view results at GoOutdoorsIN.com by Sept. 29. An email will be sent to all applicants when the drawings are complete.

Reserved hunts in this application period include:

* Waterfowl hunts on the following Fish & Wildlife areas (FWAs):

• LaSalle FWA
• Goose Pond FWA
• Hovey Lake FWA
• Kankakee FWA
• Providence Pond Wetland Conservation Area

* Deer hunts on the following Fish & Wildlife areas and Nature Preserves:

• Deer Creek FWA
• Fairbanks Landing FWA
• Busseron Creek FWA
• Baseline Barrens Nature Preserve
• Bloomfield Barrens Nature Preserve
• Bluffs of Beaver Bend Nature Preserve
• Moraine Nature Preserve

* November Gamebird Area (GBA) hunts in Benton, Jasper, Newton, Warren, and White counties. Hunters may choose from a variety of hunt dates in November. Youth hunts will be offered. These hunts are not put/take pheasant hunts.

* IPLA hunts for deer firearms, waterfowl, and gamebirds.

Indiana State Parks is working through regulatory approval for deer management hunts. We will continue to provide updates on whether reserved deer hunts at State Parks will be available for the 2025 hunting season.

Visit on.IN.gov/where2hunt for other public lands in Indiana open for hunting.

To view more DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.