Deer Firearms – Don't Wait
Deer firearms season begins Saturday, Nov. 15. We anticipate a high volume of traffic to the new license system starting Friday, Nov. 14, throughout opening weekend. Log in now and you’ll receive a faster reply from our customer service team if you encounter technical issues.
Here are some resources to help you:
- Video instructions for how to purchase a license
-
Help section of the Activity Hub (does not require logging in)
- Customer service contact info
- How to log in and create an account
- How to purchase
- How to link another person to your account
- How to check in game (we recommend using the phone in option)
- Troubleshooting info
- Video instructions for how to link a youth account
- PDF instructions for linking a youth account
Important contact info:
- Deer Infoline: For questions about equipment, regulations, or which license you need. Email INDeerInfo@dnr.IN.gov or call 812-334-3795.
- License system: For questions related to harvest reporting, your online account, or license-purchasing errors. Call 317-232-4200 or 877-463-6367 or email INHuntFish@dnr.IN.gov.
- List of all contact info
Free Youth Hunting Days
If you know a youngster who’s curious about hunting, take them out for Free Youth Hunting Days on Saturday, Nov. 29, and Sunday, Nov. 30.
These two free days offer any youth (17 years or younger) the opportunity to hunt in-season game species, such as deer, squirrel, and rabbit, without needing to purchase a hunting license. All youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years old and has a valid hunting license (unless exempt from needing a license under regular season guidelines).
DNR anticipates a high volume of online traffic throughout this month, so don’t wait until the last minute to access your account in DNR’s new license system, the Activity Hub.
If you previously had a child or other person linked to your account, you will need to re-establish that link in the Hub. The process functions differently from the previous license system, so please allow ample time to familiarize yourself with it.
In the previous system, anyone younger than 18 years old qualified for a youth account. In the new system, this has been lowered to anyone under 13 years old. This change will affect how you manage a child’s account.
For instructions on how to link accounts, see this PDF or video.
Fall Fish Stockings
From October to mid-November, DNR stocks several fish species into Indiana waters, including catchable-size channel catfish, brown trout, and rainbow trout. More than 130 locations will be stocked with 7- to 11-inch channel catfish. Rainbow trout (averaging 10 inches) will be stocked in seven locations, and brown trout (measuring 7-8 inches) will be stocked in 12 locations. Catfish and trout will primarily be stocked in urban waters due to those waters’ cooler temperatures.
Additionally, smaller panfish, walleye, and muskie will be stocked this fall, but they will need several years to reach harvestable sizes.
Fish stocking plans are based on fisheries biologists’ recommendations, providing the best chance of enhancing sport fish opportunities for anglers. Stocking dates are variable depending on weather conditions and water temperatures.
More information on stocking can be found here.
Sandhill Crane Saturdays at Jasper-Pulaski FWA
Join the International Crane Foundation (ICF) during fall migration at the sandhill crane viewing platform at Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA).
ICF staff will be stationed at the platform on Saturday evenings, 5:30-7:30 p.m. ET, from Oct. 25 – Dec. 13 (excluding Thanksgiving weekend).
During this time, ICF will be happy to answer your crane questions. You may even be able to spot an endangered whooping crane.
Make sure to dress for the weather!
Watch our Video on Apprentice Licenses
Did you know that you can still get out for a hunt even if you haven’t taken a Hunter Education class yet?
An apprentice hunter can be any age, an Indiana resident or nonresident, and can purchase up to three individual apprentice licenses in their lifetime before being required to take Hunter Education. Apprentice hunters must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years old who possesses a valid hunting license, unless exempt from needing a hunting license under state law.
Watch our video about apprentice licenses here to learn more.
DNR Builds Wetlands for State Endangered Frogs
DNR property managers and herpetologists recently joined forces to build wetlands for state endangered crawfish frogs as part of the agency’s larger effort to recover the rare species in southwest Indiana.
Wetlands were constructed on a portion of Sugar Ridge Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA) in Pike County, where herpetologists plan to introduce crawfish frogs during the spring of 2026. This species of frog spends most of its life in crawfish burrows, but in the spring, they migrate to wetlands to mate and lay their eggs. This makes the wetlands critical for completing the aquatic tadpole stage of their life cycle.
Five ephemeral wetlands were constructed on a portion of Sugar Ridge FWA that already contained open, grassy habitat and numerous crayfish burrows (landscape features that were identified during a habitat suitability study funded by the Indianapolis Zoo). The wetland basins are already beginning to fill with water and should be ready to receive crawfish frog eggs and tadpoles by spring.
The eggs will be collected from Hillenbrand FWA in Greene County. To support Hillenbrand FWA’s large crawfish frog population, additional wetlands are also being constructed in parts of the property that are lacking wetlands or where existing wetlands are drying too quickly. These new habitats will not only support crawfish frogs, but also many other wildlife species that depend on wetlands to thrive.
The creation of crawfish frog breeding wetlands at these two properties is supported by State Wildlife Grants and donations to the Nongame Wildlife Fund.
Deer Processing Resources
This deer season, take processing your harvest into your own hands (but maybe put some gloves on first). Head over to the Indiana DNR Deer Processing webpage to view instructional videos from DNR’s partners at the International Hunter Education Association and National Deer Association. They’ll guide you through each step, including grinding and preserving the meat. Plus, you can download a printable PDF that includes step-by-step instructions for skinning and processing your own deer.
Forever Thankful for Volunteers
Thank you to the volunteers who participated in National Public Lands Day activities this year. Whether it was improving a property or joining an organized volunteer event, the volunteers’ service enhanced wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation experiences for future generations.
Special recognition goes out to a few volunteer crews, including a group of waterfowl enthusiasts who dressed blinds at Kankakee FWA, students who attended a cleanup event at Wabashiki FWA, and community members who participated in an educational hike and cleanup at Pine Station Nature Preserve (pictured).
Missed participating on the day? No problem. DNR properties invite families, clubs, workgroups, and individuals to be a part of public lands by teaming up with staff year-round.
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Upcoming events
- Nov. 08: Sandhill Crane Saturdays, Jasper-Pulaski FWA
- Nov. 21: Project WET: Source to Tap Workshop, Smithville
- Nov. 26: Whooper Wednesday, Goose Pond FWA
Recent news releases
- Applications open for Lake Michigan conservation grants
- Free admission to DNR properties for veterans, active-duty military, Nov. 11
- Help Indiana DNR track Mediterranean geckos in Indiana
- Avian influenza detected in multiple Indiana counties
- Rainbow trout to be stocked in Fort Wayne and Huntington, Oct. 17
- Reserved hunt applications open for December Gamebird Area and Indiana Private Land hunts
- Natural Resources Commission to meet Oct. 7 at Fort Harrison State Park
- Bonus antlerless bag limits lowered in seven southern Indiana counties
- Indiana Conservation Officers add public safety divers
More
- Buy a license
- Hunting information
- Where to Hunt
- Fishing information
- Where to Fish
- Fish & Wildlife properties
- Donate to help rare and endangered species
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 motorboat 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.