Indiana’s Special Antlerless Deer Season Starts Dec. 26

One of the many changes to deer hunting regulations that were implemented this year will take place when the special antlerless season begins Dec. 26.

The purpose of the extra season is to focus the state’s deer management on counties with high deer densities.

The extra season runs for 12 days and will take place only in counties with a bonus antlerless quota of four or more.

Hunters can use a bonus antlerless license, deer license bundle, lifetime comprehensive hunting license, lifetime comprehensive hunting/fishing license, or a resident youth hunt/trap license to participate, or they must meet license exemptions.

Deer harvested in this season count toward the bonus antlerless county quota bag limit.

Participating counties with a bonus antlerless quota of eight are: Allen, Clark, Clay, Crawford, Dearborn, DeKalb, Elkhart, Floyd, Fountain, Franklin, Fulton, Gibson, Harrison, Hendricks, Howard, Huntington, Jasper, Jefferson, Jennings, Johnson, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Lake, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Noble, Ohio, Parke, Porter, Pulaski, Putnam, Ripley, Scott, Starke, St. Joseph, Steuben, Switzerland, Tippecanoe, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, Vigo, Warren, Washington and White.

Participating counties with a bonus antlerless quota of four are: Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Cass, Delaware, Dubois, Fayette, Grant, Greene, Hamilton, Henry, Jackson, Knox, LaPorte, Lawrence, Madison, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Newton, Orange, Owen, Posey, Spencer, Sullivan, Wabash, Warrick, Wayne and Whitley.

The following counties are excluded from the special antlerless season: Adams, Benton, Blackford, Carroll, Clinton, Daviess, Decatur, Hancock, Jay, Martin, Perry, Pike, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Tipton, Union and Wells.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the U.S. state of Indiana charged with maintaining natural areas such as state parks, state forests, recreation areas, etc. There are many divisions within the DNR and each has a specific role. The DNR is not only responsible for maintaining resource areas but also manages Indiana's fish and wildlife, reclaims coal mine ground, manages forested areas, aids in the management of wildlife on private lands, enforces Indiana's conservation laws, and many other duties not named here. According to the department's website, their mission is "to protect, enhance, preserve, and wisely use natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the benefit of Indiana's citizens through professional leadership, management, and education."