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Indiana

Hunting

Hunting

Bonus Antlerless Deer

Antlerless Deer Bag Limit

Bonus antlerless quotas are determined using a variety of population indicators such as hunter harvest trends, deer observation rates, crop damage reports, deer-vehicle collision rates, and hunter surveys that measure individual satisfaction level with deer populations in each county. Learn more about how county bonus antlerless quotas are set at deer.dnr.IN.gov.

In addition to the basic bag limits for the license that was purchased, hunters can purchase bonus antlerless licenses if they wish to take additional antlerless deer. No more than one deer can be taken per bonus antlerless license. Bonus antlerless licenses can be used in any season, except the Reduction Zone Season. One must use the equipment that is legal during that season.

Bonus licenses may be used in any county, but you may not take more than the county quota for bonus antlerless deer in any specific county. The map on the right indicates county quotas for bonus antlerless deer. Bonus antlerless licenses may not be used on DNR-managed Fish & Wildlife areas, but may be used on some other DNR properties. Contact the property or go to wildlife.IN.gov for details.

Antlerless deer harvested with the deer license bundle must be used toward the bag limit for bonus antlerless deer in that county as well as the archery and muzzleloader bag limits. For example, during archery season the third antlerless deer harvested counts toward the bonus antlerless county quota, in firearms season any antlerless deer harvested must count toward the antlerless quota, and during muzzleloader season, the second antlerless deer counts toward the county quota.

Special Antlerless Firearms Season

The Special Antlerless Firearms season is closed during the 2023-2024 deer hunting season.

Youth/Lifetime License Holders

Comprehensive lifetime hunting/fishing and resident youth hunt/trap license holders are not required to purchase bonus antlerless deer licenses since they are included in those license types. Lifetime/youth license hunters must follow the bonus antlerless bag limits and all other deer regulations.

Deer Bag Limits

Season

Bag Limit*

Youth Season

1 antlered deer AND the number of bonus antlerless deer per county quota; exceptions apply on some DNR properties

Reduction Zone Season

1 antlered deer (see “earn-a-buck” on Deer Regulations) AND 9 antlerless deer OR 10 antlerless deer

Archery Season

2 antlerless deer OR 1 antlered and 1 antlerless deer

Firearms Season

1 antlered deer

Muzzleloader Season

1 antlered deer OR 1 antlerless deer

Special Antlerless Firearms Season

Closed in 2023-2024

Additional Opportunities

Bonus Antlerless Deer

1 antlerless deer per license not to exceed the bonus antlerless county quota; bonus deer can be taken during the archery, firearms, and muzzleloader seasons with the appropriate license

State Park Hunts

3 antlerless deer OR 2 antlerless and 1 antlered deer (reserved hunts; visit hunting.IN.gov)

Military/Refuge Properties (by reserved hunt drawing or invitation only)

1 deer of either sex per Military/Refuge Deer License