Submit your art and photos to DNR’s durable license card contest
Know any nature-loving artists or photographers? Division of Fish & Wildlife is hosting an art and photo contest for Indiana residents of all ages! Four artists’ submissions will be chosen for the background artwork of new durable license cards that will be available for purchase by early 2025 (for a nominal fee). Durable license cards have been a highly requested item over the years, so we're celebrating by featuring talented Hoosiers! The contest runs from July 1 to Aug. 2, and participants can submit up to two nature-themed artworks via email to DFWContests@dnr.IN.gov. Find more contest guidelines on our website.
Choose adventure: Buy your deer license now
Deer licenses are now available for purchase. Visit our website to purchase your license and plan your adventure for the upcoming hunting seasons.
A state of fun: DNR events at the State Fair
Fair season is coming soon. This year, the Indiana State Fair will run from Aug. 2 to 18 (closed on Mondays). Visit the DNR building to see our live fish displays or enjoy a free fishing experience with your children at the outdoor Fishin’ Pond. The Fishin' Pond will be open for children ages 5-17 every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 3 – 6 p.m.
In addition to our yearly fish displays and Fishin’ Pond, we’ll also host live demonstrations and activities for hunters, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Join us for a native plant tour, watch a bowfishing demonstration, or learn how to set up decoy duck spreads for waterfowl hunting with DNR and Indiana Ducks Unlimited.
Upcoming Programs: Learn to Hunt
Here’s a sneak peek of what’s in store for our upcoming hunting, fishing, and shooting events. View our events calendar for more information.
Mark your calendars for July 20, when DNR and Indiana Ducks Unlimited will host a Duck Hunting 101 Workshop at Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area. Join us to learn the basics of marsh duck hunting, including decoy set-ups, calling, bird processing, and shooting practices.
Summer fishing tips & tricks
Looking to level up your summer fishing skills? Follow these rules of thumb for the best chances of success.
- Fish at dusk and dawn when the temperatures are cool, and the UV is less intense.
- Fish the shallows when the bigger predatory fish swim there to eat before the UV index increases.
- If you're fishing during the middle of the day, focus your attention on deeper waters near structures.
Visit our website for more fishing resources.
Mourning dove, deer, and IPLA hunt applications open
Beginning July 8, hunters may apply for mourning dove, deer and Indiana Private Lands Access (IPLA) program reserved draw hunting opportunities. These opportunities include deer hunts at Big Oaks and Muscatatuck national wildlife refuges, Fish & Wildlife area dove hunts and select opportunities on IPLA lands.
All applications must be filled out online by 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 4. No late entries will be accepted. If you are applying for a hunt, you must possess a hunting license that is valid for the specific hunt for which you are applying.
Report your observations to the 2024 Turkey Brood Count
DNR needs your help monitoring our wild turkey population. Participate in our Turkey Brood Count this summer by reporting turkey hens with poults (broods) and hens without poults. Report your 2024 observations with us online from July 1 until Aug. 31.
Poults began hatching in May and will continue to hatch over the next several months throughout Indiana. Reporting observations takes only a few minutes, and no login is required.
Brood reports have been collected since 1993 to calculate the annual Wild Turkey Production Index, which informs biologists about population status and guides wildlife management for the species.
Help us top last year’s count. In 2023, DNR received more than 3,500 reports across all 92 counties, and we are hoping for even more this year. We appreciate your observations!
Help stop Aquatic Invasive Species
Non-native plants, animals, and organisms can disrupt water bodies and ecosystems in Indiana, which threatens sport fisheries and other commercial resources in the state. Follow these steps to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species:
- Clean off any animals, plants, and mud from any angling or boating gear.
- Drain the water from watercraft, bladder tanks, bilge, motors, livewells, and portable bait containers before leaving the water access area.
- Make sure everything air-dries for five days or longer or is dried off with a towel.
- Dispose of any unwanted or unused bait, fish parts, and packing materials in the trash, rather than in land or water. Remember, littering harms the environment.
Home on the range: Visit a DNR shooting range near you
Looking to practice your shooting or searching for a fun day on the range? Indiana DNR has the shooting ranges and facilities you need. Our ranges offer a variety of shooting types. Watch our new shooting range video to view our facilities and shooting opportunities across the state.
Wear It Indiana!
Remember to wear your personal flotation device while boating or swimming. Wearing a life preserver can prevent most, if not all, lives lost on the water.
Squirrel season opens Aug. 15
Are you ready for opening day of squirrel season on Aug. 15? Visit our squirrel hunting webpage before you hunt to learn about regulations, gear, hunting and processing tips, and our favorite squirrel recipe.
Willow Slough FWA provides 10,000 acres of habitat for wildlife and recreation
In May, the DNR and Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever (PFQF) dedicated a 172.57-acre expansion to Willow Slough Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA). Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever purchased the property on behalf of DNR through their Build a Wildlife Area program, which raises funds to acquire and restore critical wildlife habitat and open it for public recreation. The property was PFQF’s first Build a Wildlife Area acquisition in Indiana. The DNR will use Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration funds to buy the land from PFQF and officially add it to Willow Slough FWA.
The new parcel will be converted to oak savanna that will provide valuable habitat for wildlife and recreation opportunities like hunting and wildlife viewing. With the addition of the parcel, Willow Slough FWA comprises more than 10,000 acres of land available for wildlife and public recreation.
Flying into July: Dove banding season begins
July is dove banding season, when DNR bands mourning doves across the state. This important research effort helps estimate Indiana’s dove population. Through dove banding and band recovery, DNR biologists can calculate the survival and harvest rates of doves. With this data, biologists can determine harvest limits for the hunting season.
If you recover a banded bird, be sure to report it online. You’ll receive a certificate of appreciation that includes the bird’s information.
Recent news releases
- Art/photo contest opens for new DNR license cards
- June 25 public hearing on proposed otter trapping rule changes postponed and deadline for comment extended
- Tropical seabird spotted at Spring Mill State Park
Upcoming events
- June 29 – Sandhill Migration Games, Goose Pond FWA
- July 1 – Art & Photo Contest for Durable License Cards
- July 6 – Crane Field Skills: Tracking and Banding, Goose Pond FWA
- July 13 – Kayak Outing, Goose Pond FWA
- July 15 – Project WET & WILD for Teachers, Falls of the Ohio State Park
- July 20 – Duck Hunting 101, Atterbury FWA
- July 20 – Name that Adaptation/Wetland in a Bag, Goose Pond FWA
- Aug. 2 – Dove Banding, Goose Pond FWA
- Aug. 3 – Sandhill Migration Games, Goose Pond FWA
- Aug. 6 – Accessing Public Lands, DNR Building, Indiana State Fair
- Aug. 10 – Intro to Squirrel Hunting for Women, Atterbury FWA
The Indiana Natural Resources Foundation celebrates and preserves Indiana’s natural legacy by raising funds to support the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and its programs. Together, we have helped expand public lands, restore wildlife habitat, and create outdoor educational and recreational opportunities for Hoosiers.
About Fish and Wildlife Management in Indiana
Fish and wildlife management and public access are funded by fishing and hunting license revenue and also through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. These programs collect excise taxes on sporting arms and ammunition, archery equipment, fishing equipment, and motor boat fuels. The money is distributed among state fish and wildlife agencies based on land size and the number of licensed anglers and hunters in each state. Find out more information about fish and wildlife management in Indiana at Wildlife.IN.gov.