Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced there will be no deer management hunts in any state parks for the remainder of 2025, citing regulatory timelines. The pause affects a nearly 30-year policy in which over 20 state parks have helped manage white-tailed deer populations to protect habitats and native plants.
Normally, these hunts allow thousands of hunters to help reduce deer browse that damages vegetation and harms ecosystem health. In 2024 alone, more than 6,700 Hoosiers participated in state park deer management hunts and harvested over 1,500 deer.
What Changed & What’s Next
- The hunts weren’t carried out this year because DNR must now adopt rules permanently into the Indiana Administrative Code. Previously, interim rules had been used.
- Because of that process, the timelines did not align with the 2025 hunting season. DNR hopes to resume the program with permanent rules for 2026.
Local Impact: What Parks Are Affected
Some of the state parks close to your region that usually participate in the deer management hunt program include:
- Prophetstown State Park — In 2024, hunters harvested about 18 deer there under the program.
- Shades State Park — Last year, about 83 deer were taken under the management hunts at Shades.
Other parks across the state involved in past hunts include Brown County, Spring Mill, Tippecanoe River, Versailles, Whitewater Memorial, and many more.
Alternatives & What You Can Still Do
While state park hunts are paused this year, hunters still have options:
- You can apply for deer hunting through Fish & Wildlife Areas and certain nature preserves.
- Applications for those are being accepted (some through Sept. 17) depending on the property.