Indiana 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Indiana's 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 14-29, 2026.
Archery deer season runs Oct 1, 2026-Jan 3, 2027.
Duck season opens between October 24, 2026 and November 7, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 24, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Indiana DNR.
- firearm deer
- Nov 14-29, 2026
- archery deer
- Oct 1, 2026-Jan 3, 2027
- duck
- opens Oct 24-Nov 7, 2026 by zone
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Key seasons by species
How to read Indiana's seasons
Deer season is compact, but the method dates move quickly
Indiana's deer calendar stacks archery, firearms, muzzleloader, and special antlerless opportunities into a short fall-to-winter run. If you are only watching the general firearms window, it is easy to miss earlier or later options.
Use the official Indiana DNR season summary for final equipment rules, county restrictions, and bag-limit details.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Indiana DNR before hunting.
New 2026-27
federal openings
in Indiana
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened or expanded hunting and fishing access at 1 station in Indiana. The final rule took effect August 31, 2026.
Deer
White-tailed Deer
Reduction Zone
Deer Reduction Zones, previously called Urban Zones, are in designated locations only. Deer hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Zone: Reduction Zones (designated locations only)
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Deer hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Firearms
Deer hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
Deer hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Youth
Deer hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Fall-Archery
See Hunting and Trapping Guide for counties open to fall turkey hunting. No more than one bird of either sex may be taken in the fall turkey season, regardless of equipment. A separate turkey license is needed.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Youth Spring
Turkey hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. A separate turkey license is needed.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring
Turkey hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. A separate turkey license is needed.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Fall-Archery
See Hunting and Trapping Guide for counties open to fall turkey hunting. No more than one bird of either sex may be taken in the fall turkey season, regardless of equipment. A separate turkey license is needed.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Fall-Firearms
See Hunting and Trapping Guide for counties open to fall turkey hunting. No more than one bird of either sex may be taken in the fall turkey season, regardless of equipment. A separate turkey license is needed.
Zone: Statewide
Waterfowl
22 listed rowsCanada geese, Light geese, & Brant
Regular
Waterfowl hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
Zone: Central Zone
Canada geese, Light geese, & Brant
Regular
Waterfowl hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
Zone: South Zone
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Regular
Waterfowl hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Specific species sub-limits apply, see regulations.
Zone: North Zone
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Regular
Waterfowl hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Specific species sub-limits apply, see regulations.
Zone: Central Zone
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Regular
Waterfowl hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Specific species sub-limits apply, see regulations.
Zone: South Zone
Canada geese, Light geese, & Brant
Regular
Waterfowl hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
Zone: North Zone
Canada geese, Light geese, & Brant
Regular
Waterfowl hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
Zone: Central Zone
Canada geese, Light geese, & Brant
Regular
Waterfowl hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
Zone: South Zone
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Regular
Waterfowl hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Specific species sub-limits apply, see regulations.
Zone: Central Zone
White-fronted geese
Regular
Waterfowl hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
Zone: Central Zone
White-fronted geese
Regular
Waterfowl hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
Zone: North Zone
White-fronted geese
Regular
Waterfowl hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
Zone: South Zone
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Canada geese, Light geese, & BrantRegular · South ZoneWaterfowl hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. | Closed | |
| Canada geese, Light geese, & BrantRegular · Central ZoneWaterfowl hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. | Closed | |
| Canada geese, Light geese, & BrantRegular · North ZoneWaterfowl hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. | Closed | |
| Canada geese, Light geese, & BrantRegular · North ZoneWaterfowl hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. | Closed | |
| Ducks, Coots, MergansersYouth & Veteran · North ZoneWaterfowl hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. | Closed | |
| Ducks, Coots, MergansersYouth & Veteran · Central ZoneWaterfowl hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. | Closed | |
| Ducks, Coots, MergansersYouth & Veteran · South ZoneWaterfowl hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. | Closed | |
| Ducks, Coots, MergansersRegular · South ZoneWaterfowl hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Specific species sub-limits apply, see regulations. | Upcoming | |
| Ducks, Coots, MergansersRegular · North ZoneWaterfowl hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Specific species sub-limits apply, see regulations. | Upcoming | |
| TealEarly Teal · StatewideWaterfowl hunting hours: sunrise to sunset for teal. | Closed |
Dove
Mourning Dove
Hunting
Migratory bird hunting hours: sunrise to sunset. Daily bag and possession limits are for mourning doves and white-winged doves in aggregate.
Zone: Statewide
Mourning Dove
Hunting
Migratory bird hunting hours: sunrise to sunset. Daily bag and possession limits are for mourning doves and white-winged doves in aggregate.
Zone: Statewide
Mourning Dove
Hunting
Migratory bird hunting hours: sunrise to sunset. Daily bag and possession limits are for mourning doves and white-winged doves in aggregate.
Zone: Statewide
Pheasant
Pheasant (cock only)
Hunting
Statewide - cock only. Possession limit is two times the daily bag limit.
Zone: Statewide
Quail
Quail
Hunting
Bag limits vary on some DNR properties (see Hunting & Trapping Guide). Possession limit is two times the daily bag limit.
Zone: North of I-74
Quail
Hunting
Bag limits vary on some DNR properties (see Hunting & Trapping Guide). Possession limit is two times the daily bag limit.
Zone: South of I-74
Grouse
Ruffed Grouse
Hunting
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Season suspended.
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit
Rabbit
Hunting
Possession limit is two times the daily bag limit.
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
Gray & Fox Squirrel
Hunting
Possession limit is two times the daily bag limit.
Zone: Statewide
Furbearer
Red & Gray Fox
Trapping
Zone: Statewide
Red & Gray Fox
Hunting
Zone: Statewide
Bobcat
Hunting & Trapping
Seasonal bag limit of 1 bobcat per person. See Hunting & Trapping Guide for counties open to bobcat harvest. Season may close earlier if statewide quota of 400 is reached. Bobcat hunting hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Raccoon & Opossum
Hunting
Zone: Statewide
Raccoon & Opossum
Trapping
Zone: Statewide
Beaver
Hunting
Zone: Statewide
Beaver
Trapping
Zone: Statewide
Mink, Muskrat & Long-Tailed Weasel
Trapping
Zone: Statewide
Mink, Muskrat & Long-Tailed Weasel
Hunting
Zone: Statewide
River Otter
Trapping
No hunting. Seasonal bag limit of 2 river otters per person. Season may close earlier if statewide quota of 750 is reached.
Zone: Statewide
Raccoon & Opossum (Dog Running)
Chasing Season (No Hunting)
Chasing season only - no hunting, no trapping
Zone: Statewide
Migratory Birds
Snipe
Hunting
Migratory bird hunting hours: sunrise to sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Sora Rail
Hunting
Migratory bird hunting hours: sunrise to sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Woodcock
Hunting
Migratory bird hunting hours: sunrise to sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Coyote
Coyote & Striped Skunk
Hunting
Zone: Statewide
Coyote & Striped Skunk
Trapping
Zone: Statewide
Other
Eastern Snapping Turtle, Smooth & Spiny Softshell Turtles
Hunting/Trapping
Limit is singly or in aggregate. These species of turtles must have a carapace length of at least 12 inches. Possession limit is two times the daily bag limit.
Zone: Statewide
Green Frog & Bullfrog
Hunting/Trapping
Possession limit is two times the daily bag limit.
Zone: Statewide
Crow
Hunting
Zone: Statewide
Crow
Hunting
Zone: Statewide
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Indiana Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Indiana?
Archery deer season runs Oct 1, 2026-Jan 3, 2027. Firearm deer season runs Nov 14-29, 2026. Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with Indiana DNR.
When is Indiana's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season runs Nov 14-29, 2026. Check zone and permit details with Indiana DNR before hunting.
Do I need a license to hunt in Indiana?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Indiana hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Indiana DNR.
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