Indiana Hunting & Fishing
Season Calendar 2026

Indiana archery deer season runs Oct 1–Jan 4 statewide; any legal bow including compound, recurve, longbow, and crossbow is authorized. Hunters must possess a valid Indiana hunting license and deer license. The season limit is one antlered buck per license year; antlerless harvest is managed through bonus antlerless licenses available by county. Indiana's agricultural southwest — Pike, Knox, and Posey Counties along the Wabash River — produces exceptional trophy whitetails with strong browse and corn/soybean nutrition. The October pre-rut and November rut peak (approximately Nov 7–18) are the most productive windows for mature buck movement.

Indiana firearms deer season runs Nov 14–Nov 29; legal methods include shotguns with slugs or buckshot, centerfire handguns, and muzzleloaders. Note that conventional centerfire rifles are NOT legal for deer in Indiana — shotgun/muzzleloader/handgun restrictions apply statewide. Hunters must possess a valid Indiana hunting license and deer license. Blaze orange is required — at least 144 square inches on chest and back visible above the waist, plus a blaze orange hat. Indiana's firearms season opens during the peak breeding rut, providing exceptional buck movement and daylight activity.

Indiana muzzleloader deer season runs Dec 5–Jan 4; only legal muzzleloading firearms are permitted including inline and sidelock designs with front-loaded propellant and projectile. Hunters must possess a valid Indiana hunting license and deer license. The December window targets post-rut bucks focused on food sources — standing corn, brassica plots, and harvested grain fields near bedding cover produce the most consistent results. A late antlerless-only period may follow the December season in some county groups — verify current IDNR regulations. Indiana consistently produces significant trophy bucks during late muzzleloader season as pressure-pressured bucks resume daylight feeding.

Indiana spring turkey season runs Apr 21–May 11 for eastern wild turkey gobblers; hens are protected. Legal methods include shotguns, archery, and crossbows; electronic calls are prohibited during spring turkey season. Hunters must possess a valid Indiana hunting license and a spring turkey license. The daily bag limit is one gobbler per day with a season limit of one. Indiana's state forests in the south-central region — Hoosier National Forest, Jackson-Washington, and Morgan-Monroe — hold the highest turkey densities. Peak gobbling activity typically occurs from late April through the first ten days of May in central Indiana.

Indiana pheasant season opens Nov 1 and runs through Dec 31; ring-necked pheasant are primarily found in the northern agricultural counties of Jasper, Newton, and Benton. Hunters must possess a valid Indiana hunting license; no additional stamp is required. The daily bag limit is two roosters (males only); hens are protected. Indiana DNR operates pheasant stocking programs at designated public hunting areas throughout the season. CRP lands in northwestern Indiana hold the best wild pheasant populations, while stocked sites provide opportunity across a broader area. Hunting pressure is typically highest the first two weekends of the season.