General License Regulations

• With a few exceptions (see License Exemptions), a valid hunting license issued by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and applicable state or federal stamp privileges are required to hunt any wild animal on public or private land in Indiana.
• To qualify for resident hunting licenses, a person must have established a true fixed and permanent home and primary residence in Indiana for 60 consecutive days prior to purchasing a license or permit and not claim residency for hunting, trapping or fishing in another state or country. All others are nonresidents.
• A hunting license (and applicable stamp privileges and federal stamps or permits and HIP number) must have an original signature and be carried with you while hunting and produced on the request of an Indiana Conservation Officer or other authorized law enforcement officer.
• Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1986 must successfully complete a DNR-offered hunter education class to purchase an Indiana hunting license (see below for exceptions).
• Lost licenses can be reprinted for $3. Go to IndianaOutdoor.IN.gov.
• Game bird or waterfowl stamp privileges must have an original signature, in ink, on the license. A traditional stamp is not required in addition to the purchase of this stamp privilege. Traditional game bird or waterfowl stamps are available for purchase as a commemorative issue. Commemorative stamps, which do not convey hunting privileges, are available through the DNR Customer Service Center.
• DNR-issued licenses may be revoked at the discretion of a court upon conviction of fish and wildlife law violations, or at the discretion of the Department for non-compliance with conditions under which licenses are issued.
• Licenses are non-transferable and non-refundable.

How to Purchase a Hunting or Trapping License

1. Online …

Go to IndianaOutdoor.IN.gov

2. In Person …

Visit one of the over 800 retailers statewide at IndianaOutdoor.IN.gov or visit the DNR Customer Service Center. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

3. By Mail …

Send a check or money order (payable to DNR) or Visa or MasterCard (include number, expiration date) to:

Licenses

DNR Customer Service Center

402 W. Washington St., W160

Indianapolis, IN, 46204

Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Include the following information:

• Specify the license(s) and season (e.g., deer muzzleloader)
• Name, date of birth, Indiana Driver’s License number and Social Security number (required by IC 14-22-11-3)
• Hunter education certificate number if born after Dec. 31, 1986
• Complete address, city, state, Zip code and phone number
• Height, weight, color of hair and color of eyes

4. By Phone …

Call (317) 232-4200

Hunter Education

Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1986 must successfully complete a DNR-offered hunter education class to purchase a hunting license. See Apprentice License exception below. Hunters certified in another state or Canada can also present a card or certificate and purchase an Indiana hunting license.

The DNR offers hunter education courses in counties throughout the state. The pro-gram takes approximately 10 hours to complete. For information on classes in your area, see dnr.IN.gov/lawenfor or contact the nearest hunter education office:

• Hunter Education North, (317) 605-1028; email chclark@dnr.in.gov.
• Hunter Education South, P.O. Box 917, Jasper, IN 47547, (812) 482-3093; email tbeck@dnr.in.gov.

Youth Licenses

The resident youth hunt/trap license, for individuals 17 or younger, covers the annual resident hunting and trapping licenses, turkey licenses, game bird habitat, Indiana migratory waterfowl, trout/salmon stamp privileges and all deer licenses.

Nonresident youths 17 or younger may purchase the appropriate nonresident youth license: annual hunting, deer, turkey, or trapping. However, a nonresident under 18 years of age, who has a parent, grandparent or legal guardian who is an Indiana resident, may purchase a resident youth hunt/trap license to hunt or trap in Indiana.

A Harvest Information Program (HIP) number is required to hunt migratory birds, except during the free youth hunting days. See Waterfowl & Migratory Birds for HIP registration information.

The youth licenses do not include the Federal migratory bird stamp that is required for youth hunters age 16 and older.

All youth hunting licenses are valid for the designated license year, even if the individual turns 18 during that year, but the license must be purchased before the youth turns 18.

Apprentice Licenses

A resident or nonresident can buy an apprentice hunting license without having to take a hunter education class. An individual can purchase up to three apprentice hunting licenses, of any combination, in his/her lifetime before needing to take a DNR-offered hunter education class.

While hunting, the apprentice hunter at all times must be in close proximity to and able to communicate with a hunter who is at least 18 years old and has a valid hunting license (unless exempt from needing a hunting license). The individual who accompanies the apprentice hunter cannot accompany more than two apprentice hunters at one time while afield.

The apprentice resident youth hunt/trap license includes the same licenses and stamps as the regular resident youth consolidated hunt/trap license; it only exempts the license holder from needing to take a hunter education class.

Landowners or lessees of farmland and their children living with them who meet the requirements for license exemptions also are exempt from needing an apprentice hunting license.

Youth Free Hunting Days

Youth free hunting days for 2012 are Sept. 1-2 and Nov. 24-25. Any resident age 17 or younger on the date of the hunt, and accompanied by an adult of at least 18 years of age, can take any legal game in season during these youth free hunting days. The youth hunter does not have to possess a hunting license, HIP number or any state stamp but must comply with all other hunting regulations. To hunt waterfowl, a Federal duck stamp is required for all persons 16 years or older.

The accompanying adult must be in close enough proximity to monitor and be able to communicate with the youth hunter at all times and may assist the youth hunter, including calling, but may not carry a firearm, crossbow, or bow and arrow. The accompanying adult must possess a valid hunting license, unless exempted from needing a license (see License Exemptions).

Nonresident Private Shooting Preserve

As of July 1, 2012, the nonresident private shooting preserve license is no longer available. Nonresidents must meet license and any applicable stamp privilege requirements for species they are hunting at a private shooting preserve.

Persons with Disabilities

Individuals with a disability that prevents them from taking wildlife under regular hunting regulations may obtain a special permit from the DNR. A special permit may be issued to an individual with a physical impairment resulting from injury or disease, excluding impairment due to normal aging.

Special permits allow those who cannot walk or have serious walking limitations to hunt from a vehicle or gain special vehicle access. On state and federal lands, permit holders must obtain permission in advance from a property manager to gain vehicle access to lands or roads that are otherwise closed to vehicular traffic.

Those who have a disability that prevents them from using a regular bow may be issued a permit to use a draw-loc.

For rules or application forms, contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife, 402 W. Washington St., W273, Indianapolis, IN 46204; (317) 232-4102 or at hunting.IN.gov.