Invest in the future of Indiana’s wildlife
Tax season is right around the corner, and we welcome you to make a donation, big or small, to benefit Indiana’s wildlife. Donations made through your Indiana state taxes go to the Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund, which has been helping the DNR raise federal match dollars to support nongame and endangered species conservation for 40 years. The federal match for this fund means that for every $50 donated, the DNR receives $143 to study and support Indiana’s wildlife.
Whooping crane
The fund turns 40 this year! Learn about the accomplishments made possible by donors, partners and volunteers by following its StoryMap and/or signing up for the Nongame Wildlife Fund Newsletter. For instructions on how to donate to the Nongame Wildlife Fund on your state taxes, watch this video or donate directly, below.
Summer turkey brood
2021 spring wild turkey season recap and 2022 forecast
During the spring 2021 turkey season, hunters harvested 12,320 wild turkeys throughout 91 of Indiana’s 92 counties. This was a 15% decrease from the 2020 harvest but was close to the average harvest (12,065 birds) between 2015 and 2019. The Indiana Spring Turkey Harvest Data shows the top county was Dearborn, with a total of 355 birds. During the youth-only weekend, hunters took 1,198 birds (9% of the harvest). Most birds last year were taken in the early morning hours, during the early part of the season. The estimated number of hunters afield was 65,254 with an estimated success rate of 19%.
The 2022 spring turkey season runs April 27 - May 15, with the youth-only season April 23-24. Predictions for this season call for between 12,000 and 13,000 birds to be harvested including an increase in the number of juvenile (jakes) taken due to high summer brood success (survival of poults/young turkeys).
Reserved youth turkey hunts on DNR properties
Youth hunters (under age 18 on the day of the hunt) wishing to hunt on participating DNR properties during the youth-only wild turkey hunting season (April 23-24) may apply for reserved turkey hunts from March 21 -April 1. Interested youth hunters or adult representatives must register in person or by phone during business hours for the property they wish to hunt.
Each youth hunter must possess a valid 2022 Youth Consolidated Hunting and Trapping License, a 2022 Nonresident Youth Spring Turkey License with game bird habitat stamp privilege or a Lifetime Comprehensive Hunting License. Apprentice hunting licenses of the types named above also may be used. View information on participating locations, application requirements, season hours, harvest allotments and regulations on accompanying a minor.
Reminder about new license fees for turkey hunting
This season’s resident Spring Turkey License fee is $32 plus the annual gamebird stamp ($11) for a total of $43. The Resident Youth Consolidated Hunt/Trap license fee is $12 (no stamp required). This license is also available to nonresident youth who have a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian who is an Indiana resident. See the nonresident fees and other seasonal fees.
Hunting and fishing licenses expire March 31
Remember, your 2021-2022 hunting and fishing licenses expire on March 31. License fees change starting April 1. Purchase your annual hunting and fishing licenses for 2022-2023 now.
Learn to hunt workshops
Spring turkey season starts in April. Are you ready? If you’re interested in hunting turkey, but not sure how to do it, join us for a free workshop:
March 12 – Learn to Hunt: Turkey, Martinsville
We need your input on Indiana’s fisheries management
Want to give feedback and help improve Indiana’s fisheries? We would like to hear about your 2021-2022 fishing experiences via a new electronic angler survey. Anglers with a current email address within DNR’s electronic license system will receive an email containing a personalized link to the survey the week of April 11.
The survey is your chance to provide input on Indiana’s fisheries management statewide and around where you live and fish. Survey responses will help DNR gather information about Indiana anglers and their opinions on fisheries management. This information will provide valuable feedback in developing programs to better serve you.
Make sure to add or update your email address to receive a link to the survey. The survey link you receive is a unique link that cannot be used for multiple surveys. DNR asks that you do not share this link with others, as it allows only one survey completion. If you do not receive an email with your licensed angler survey by April 15, email AnglerSurvey@dnr.IN.gov to receive your unique survey link.
County deer management data now available online
To increase the speed with which hunters and biologists can access deer management data, Indiana's County Deer Statistics can now be found online. This supplements the former process of downloading the annual White-tailed Deer Report and the County Deer Data sheets. These tables and charts will now be updated annually, near the end of March, allowing hunters and biologists to access statistics on deer harvest and mortality without waiting for the annual report. The data include the harvest records, deer vehicle collisions, significant disease events, and deer damage permit reports. DNR biologists use these data for establishing county bonus antlerless quotas and other deer management activities.
Viewing platform at Jasper Pulaski FWA
New Fish & Wildlife Areas (FWA) and Nature Preserves added to the Indiana State Nature Passport
Last year, Visit Indiana launched the Indiana State Nature Passport, a free “digital passport” that inspires nature lovers to discover new places in Indiana. The passport offers opportunities for visitors to win prizes of increasing value as they accumulate 10, 25, 40, and 59 property visits throughout the year. If a person checks in at all 81 locations, they will qualify for grand prize giveaways and will be eligible for a custom passport completion pin.
The following FWAs are on this year’s list: Goose Pond, Atterbury, Blue Grass, Chinook, Glendale, Jasper Pulaski, Kankakee, Kingsbury, Pigeon River, Tri-County, Wabashiki, and Willow Slough. The Nature Preserves include Baltzell-Lenhart Woods, Eunice H. Bryan, Hemmer Woods, Hoosier Prairie, Loblolly Marsh Wetlands, Moraine, Olin Lake, Pipewort Pond, Portland Arch, Shrader-Weaver Woods, and Stoutsburg Savanna. Sign up online to begin earning prizes!
Recent news releases
DNR stocks Coho salmon in northwest Indiana tributaries
Register for Becoming an Outdoors Woman
New Locations and Prizes Added to the Indiana State Nature Passport
DNR Recreation and Fishing guidebooks are online
Public Notices
Public Notice Carthage public access site
Public Notice River Station public access site
Public Notice Bell Pond public access site, Wabashiki FWA
Upcoming events
- March 12 – Learn to Hunt: Turkey, Martinsville
- March 15 – Natural Resources Commission (NRC) Meeting
- March 26 – Woodcock Walk: Goose Pond FWA
- March 26 – Waterfowl Migration Hike, Lasalle FWA
- April 16 – Public Lands Packout, Tri-County FWA
More
- Buy a license
- Hunting information
- Where to Hunt
- Fishing information
- Where to Fish
- Fish & Wildlife properties
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.