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Buck up, hunters! All Things Deer is here to prep you for the 2023-2024 Indiana Deer Hunting Season.
Learn about new hunting regulations, season dates, and bag limits in the 2023-24 Indiana Hunting & Trapping Guide.
 How to hunt, from start to finish
Are you new to hunting or looking for a quick tip for your next adventure? See our playlist of short YouTube videos to learn the basics of hunting, from scouting to tracking.
 Fawn over our latest research
The study of deer never stops for DNR. We conduct a wide range of research on deer populations, deer biology, and human interactions with deer. Current studies include understanding more about Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in Indiana, modeling chronic wasting disease (CWD) management methods, developing a cost-effective method for estimating the deer population size, and understanding the economics around deer and deer hunting.
Hunting for our latest deer report? We’ve posted 2021’s report just for you.
 Hunting for all
DNR properties are for everyone. If you’re a person with a disability who wants to hunt on a DNR property, you can apply for a special permit. In particular, if you’re a veteran with a disability, apply for a DAV (veterans with disabilities) hunting license. Be sure to contact the property manager to coordinate entry for each area. If you have questions about accessible properties or hunts near you, contact us.
 Reserved deer hunt applications are open now
Sign up for a chance to be selected for a reserved hunt this season! Some of our State Parks and Fish & Wildlife areas have reserved hunt applications open for a few more days, until Sept. 24. What are you waiting for? All you need is a valid deer hunting license and email address.
DNR looks forward to seeing you outdoors!
County bonus antlerless quotas reduced for 2023-24
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is a common disease in the Indiana deer herd, and every year the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) receives reports of EHD throughout the state via its online reporting system at on.IN.gov/sickwildlife. In some years, EHD can affect a larger-than-normal portion of the deer and becomes widespread across a county. In those instances, the DNR lowers the County Bonus Antlerless Quotas (CBAQ) in the impacted counties to offset the effect of the counties’ EHD outbreak.
This year, after collecting data to map and evaluate the effects of EHD, DNR has lowered the CBAQ to zero for Fayette and Franklin counties (down from the normal CBAQ of three) to lower the harvest during the next one to two years in this area.
A CBAQ of zero in Fayette and Franklin counties also means that no antlerless deer can be harvested during the two-day youth season in September because the number of antlerless deer that can normally be harvested is based on the CBAQ. Youth will be able to harvest antlerless deer during archery and muzzleloader seasons with equipment that is legal during those seasons, but they will not be able to harvest antlerless deer with a firearm in 2023.
To see the other counties with changes in their CBAQ, view our webpage on EHD.
Hunting for answers? Check out the Deer Hotline
If you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Our Deer Hotline is waiting for your call. For questions about equipment, regulations, or which license you need, use our Deer Hotline by emailing INDeerHotline@dnr.IN.gov or calling 812-334-3795, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
For questions related to the CheckIN Game system, your online license system account, license-purchasing errors, or deer control permits, email inhuntfish@dnr.IN.gov or call 317-232-4082.
To report hunting violations or trespassing, locate your DNR Law Enforcement district or contact DNR Law Enforcement Central Dispatch at ICODispatch@dnr.IN.gov or 812-837-9536.
 First deer, then dinner: Deer frikadellen recipe
What’s for dinner after your deer hunt? We’ve got the best recipe for you. The frikadellen is the predecessor of what we know as the hamburger, tracing its heritage back to at least 18th century Germany. These delicious, seasoned meat patties are excellent hot or cold and are traditionally served with German potato salad or fried potatoes. Here’s how to make this unique and simple recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground venison
- 1 lb. ground pork loin
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (can replace with traditional bread soaked in milk as well)
- ½ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 red onion chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic finely chopped
- 2 tsp. marjoram
Instructions
- Sautee onions until partially clear, then add garlic until and continue until both are done.
- Place onions and garlic into bowl and set aside.
- Add all ingredients into mixing bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Add breadcrumbs as needed until the consistency is not sticky but holds its shape.
- Form meat mixture into patties about ¼” to ½” thick, making sure the patties are evenly thick throughout.
- Preheat cast iron skillet to medium-high heat.
- Melt small knob of butter onto pan and place patty on center.
- Cook on one side for 3 minutes and flip to cook other side for 3 more minutes, making sure both sides are seared well.
- Continue cooking for 3-4 more minutes, flipping periodically to avoid burning the patty.
- Repeat for remaining patties.
Find other venison recipes on our website.
 Got a TIP? Report a poacher or polluter
Turn in a Poacher (TIP) protects our fish and wildlife resources by increasing public support and involvement in bringing violators to justice. If you have evidence of a poacher or polluter, you can report potential violations by calling 1-800-TIP-IDNR (800-847-4367). If your anonymous information leads to an arrest, you may receive as much as a $500 reward.
You can also file complaints using our online form.
 Youth hunting days
Help the kids you know follow your tracks and hunt this fall. If you know a young Hoosier who loves hunting, DNR has a few special opportunities for you. For your avid young hunters, youth deer season is Sept. 23-24.
Does your kid just want to try hunting? Nov. 25-26 are the last free hunting days of this year. Any resident 17 or younger doesn’t need any kind of license or stamp to hunt (unless they are 16 or older and pursuing waterfowl; then a duck stamp is required).
 Stay safe, hunters!
DNR reminds you to stay safe this deer season. Hunting injuries most commonly involve elevated platforms and tree stands, so stay safe by following our guidelines below.
Before the hunt:
- Read and understand the tree stand manufacturer’s instructions.
- Check tree stands and equipment for wear, fatigue, and cracks or loose nuts/bolts, paying particularly close attention to parts made of material other than metal.
- Practice at ground level.
- Learn how to properly wear your full-body safety harness.
During the hunt:
- Wear your full-body safety harness.
- Use a tree stand safety rope.
- Make certain to attach your harness to the tree before leaving the ground and that it remains attached to the tree until you return to the ground.
- Maintain three points of contact during ascent and descent.
- Wear boots with nonslip soles.
- Use a haul line to raise and lower firearms, bows, and other hunting gear.
- Make sure firearms are unloaded, action is open, and safety is on before attaching them to the haul line.
Always bring emergency equipment with you on your hunt. More guidelines and property rules can be found on our website.
 Report a sick or dead deer
Have you seen sick or dead deer? DNR wants your help reporting them through our online Sick and Dead Wildlife Report Form. Your reports are sent directly to an Indiana DNR biologist who evaluates the reports and samples the deer, if necessary (though not all reports generate an immediate response). DNR uses these reports to monitor wildlife health over time, detect disease outbreak events, and identify areas for disease surveillance. Help us keep Indiana’s wildlife healthy.
 2023 testing for chronic wasting disease
Each year, Indiana DNR selects new areas to test deer for chronic wasting disease (CWD). These are areas where DNR has collected few samples in the past or has not targeted for testing for a few years. During the 2023-2024 hunting season, DNR will collect samples across areas in the state that have been not targeted using a combination of partner taxidermists and DNR staff.
Hunters who wish to have their deer tested for CWD can bring their deer to select Fish & Wildlife areas (FWAs) and State Fish Hatcheries (SFHs) throughout hunting season. Deer heads can be dropped into designated coolers at select FWAs and SFHs, or hunters can make an appointment for their deer to be sampled by a biologist during office hours. Hunters who submit a deer for CWD testing will receive a metal tag reminiscent of Indiana’s historical deer harvest confirmation process.
Alternatively, hunters may independently submit their deer to Purdue Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab (ADDL) for testing for a fee. To do so, hunters should complete the submission form and follow the shipping instructions on Purdue ADDL’s website. Stay tuned for more 2023-24 sampling locations to be announced for the rest of deer season.
 Deer data dashboards are now online
Our online deer data are now up to date with information from the 2022-23 harvest season, and the latest After Hunt Survey and Annual Deer Survey. This is the same data that the deer biologists, district biologists, Division of Fish & Wildlife, and DNR Law Enforcement administrators use to make recommendations for the next season’s regulations. It includes harvest data, population trends, deer-vehicle collisions, deer damage permits, public opinion on deer management, and other useful information at the county and statewide levels. You can find links to the data below:
Annual Deer Survey
Deer Management County Data
Harvest Data
 After Hunt Survey – Share your experience!
How was your hunt? Let us know your feedback about this deer season. The After Hunt Survey was created in 2017 to collect biological information on harvested deer and to evaluate hunters’ experiences. The survey will again be available for the 2023-2024 deer season. Any successful hunter may complete the survey online immediately after checking in their deer online or at a later date by signing up on our website. Your participation helps Indiana DNR collect sufficient information to use in managing deer at the county level.
 Deer Management Survey
The Deer Management Survey will be available again this year for any hunter or nonhunter who has an Indiana DNR account with a valid email address. This survey allows Indiana DNR to collect information about individual and deer demographics, public opinions on deer management, and deer trends for individual counties to incorporate into deer management decisions. The 2024 Deer Management Survey will be emailed in early 2024. If you would like to receive a survey, please make sure your email address is current or create an account.
One more Natural Resources Commission meeting this year
The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) is meeting once more this year to discuss upcoming activities of the DNR. If you’re interested in attending, note the date and site below.
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Nov. 21, 2023: 10 a.m., ET (9 a.m., CT), Fort Harrison State Park, Garrison, Indianapolis
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