Key Changes to Indiana’s Deer Hunting Regulations
The 2025-2026 deer hunting seasons are as follows:
Reduction Zone: Sept. 15, 2025 - Jan. 31, 2026 (where open)
Youth Season: Sept. 27-28, 2025
Archery: Oct. 1, 2025 - Jan. 4, 2026
Firearm: Nov. 15 - Nov. 30, 2025
Muzzleloader: Dec. 6-21, 2025
There are numerous changes to the regulations this year.
- The statewide bag limit is 6 antlerless deer and 1 antlered deer, except for in Deer Reduction Zone and Youth seasons.
- There is a newly created County Antlerless Bag Limit instead of season antlerless bag limits and Bonus Antlerless Bag Limits.
- Because of this change, the Bonus Antlerless License is now a Multi-season Antlerless License. These licenses function the same as the old bonus antlerless licenses in that they can be used during any deer hunting season with any equipment. It still requires one license per deer harvested.
- Hunters cannot harvest an antlerless deer with a firearm during firearms season on Fish & Wildlife-managed properties as well as Salamonie, Mississinewa, and Patoka lakes.
- Only 1 antlered and 2 antlerless deer can be taken with the Bundle License.
- The use of crossbow equipment is now allowed using the Archery License. Crossbow licenses are no longer available.
- Hunters can now use rifles with a centerfire cartridge that has a bullet diameter of .219 inches (5.56 mm) or larger on both public and private lands.
For more information, view the details on the DNR website.