Changes to Deer Hunting Regulations: An Overview

Indiana DNR has made big changes to Indiana’s deer hunting rules.

These changes are in effect for the 2025-2026 hunting season. The changes were made, in part, to simplify Indiana’s hunting regulations so they are easier to understand. Details about the new regulations can be found in Deer Regulations, Antlerless Deer, Deer Equipment and Deer Seasons, Licenses, & Equipment.

The rule changes include:

• The statewide bag limit is now 6 antlerless deer and 1 antlered deer.
• A newly created county antlerless bag limit (see Antlerless Deer) replaces the season antlerless bag limits and county bonus antlerless quotas. Because of this change, the new multi-season antlerless license has replaced the bonus antlerless license.
• Restrictions on harvesting deer with firearms on certain state properties.
• 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.
• Portable tree stands and ground blinds can now be placed on DNR properties in Deer Reduction Zones between noon Sept. 1 and Feb. 8.
• Drones and/or devices with infrared sensors can be used to locate harvested deer (but not to hunt deer).
• 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.

Note that the change to cartridge diameters resulted from a bill enacted by state law, IC 14-22-2-8.

For questions about equipment, regulations/regulations changes, or which license you need, contact the Deer Information line by emailing [email protected] or calling 812-334-3795.

For questions related to harvest reporting, your online account, or license-purchasing errors, call 317-232-4200 or 877-463-6367 or email [email protected].

For questions about reserved hunts, email [email protected] or call 812-486-9648.