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Indiana Hunting Season Dates 2026–27

Season openers, closers, and tag requirements by species. Always confirm against IN Dept of Natural Resources (IDNR) before you hunt. Dates can change.

License: resident $8.75 · nonresident $60.75. Species tags and permits are extra. See each section below.

White-tailed Deer Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Deer Reduction Zone: archery equipmentSep 15, 2026Jan 31, 2027Deer Reduction Zone License
Deer Reduction Zone: firearms equipmentNov 14, 2026Jan 31, 2027Deer Reduction Zone License
YouthSep 26, 2026Sep 27, 2026Youth Hunt/Trap License
ArcheryOct 1, 2026Jan 3, 2027Archery License or Deer License Bundle
FirearmsNov 14, 2026Nov 29, 2026Firearms License or Deer License Bundle
MuzzleloaderDec 5, 2026Dec 20, 2026Muzzleloader License or Deer License Bundle

Wild Turkey Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Fall Archery (first segment)Oct 1, 2026Nov 1, 2026Fall Turkey License
Fall Archery (second segment)Dec 5, 2026Jan 3, 2027Fall Turkey License
Fall FirearmsOct 21, 2026Nov 1, 2026Fall Turkey License

Beaver Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingNov 15, 2026Mar 15, 2027Hunting License
TrappingNov 15, 2026Mar 15, 2027Trapping License

Bobcat Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Trapping (40 designated counties)Nov 8, 2026Jan 31, 2027Trapping License

Coyote Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingOct 15, 2026Mar 15, 2027Hunting License
TrappingOct 15, 2026Mar 15, 2027Trapping License

Crow Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (first segment)Jul 1, 2026Aug 15, 2026Hunting License
Regular (second segment)Dec 13, 2026Mar 1, 2027Hunting License

Mourning Dove Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (first segment)Sep 1, 2026Oct 18, 2026Hunting License + Game Bird Habitat Stamp + HIP Registration
Regular (second segment)Nov 1, 2026Nov 29, 2026Hunting License + Game Bird Habitat Stamp + HIP Registration
Regular (third segment)Dec 19, 2026Dec 31, 2026Hunting License + Game Bird Habitat Stamp + HIP Registration

Fox (Red and Gray) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingOct 15, 2026Feb 28, 2027Hunting License
TrappingOct 15, 2026Jan 31, 2027Trapping License

Green Frog and Bullfrog Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularJun 15, 2026Apr 30, 2027Hunting or Fishing License

Mink, Muskrat and Long-Tailed Weasel Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingNov 15, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting License
TrappingNov 15, 2026Jan 31, 2027Trapping License

Opossum Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingNov 8, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting License
TrappingNov 8, 2026Jan 31, 2027Trapping License

Ring-necked Pheasant Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (statewide, cock only)Nov 1, 2026Dec 15, 2026Hunting License + Game Bird Habitat Stamp

Bobwhite Quail Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular: North of I-74: Quail Zone: North of I-74Nov 1, 2026Dec 15, 2026Hunting License + Game Bird Habitat Stamp
Regular: South of I-74: Quail Zone: South of I-74Nov 1, 2026Jan 10, 2027Hunting License + Game Bird Habitat Stamp

Rabbit Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularNov 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027Hunting License

Raccoon Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingNov 8, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting License
TrappingNov 8, 2026Jan 31, 2027Trapping License

Sora Rail Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularSep 1, 2026Nov 9, 2026Hunting License + HIP Registration

River Otter Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
TrappingNov 15, 2026Mar 15, 2027Trapping License

Striped Skunk Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
HuntingOct 15, 2026Mar 15, 2027Hunting License
TrappingOct 15, 2026Mar 15, 2027Trapping License

Wilson's Snipe Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularSep 1, 2026Dec 16, 2026Hunting License + HIP Registration

Squirrel (Gray and Fox) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularAug 15, 2026Jan 31, 2027Hunting License

Eastern Snapping Turtle, Smooth and Spiny Softshell Turtles Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularJul 1, 2026Mar 31, 2027Hunting or Fishing License

Waterfowl (ducks, coots, mergansers, geese, brant) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Early Teal: StatewideSep 5, 2026Sep 13, 2026Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Ducks, Coots and Mergansers (first segment): North Zone: North Waterfowl ZoneOct 24, 2026Dec 13, 2026Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Ducks, Coots and Mergansers (second segment): North Zone: North Waterfowl ZoneDec 19, 2026Dec 27, 2026Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Ducks, Coots and Mergansers (first segment): Central Zone: Central Waterfowl ZoneOct 31, 2026Nov 8, 2026Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Ducks, Coots and Mergansers (second segment): Central Zone: Central Waterfowl ZoneNov 21, 2026Jan 10, 2027Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Ducks, Coots and Mergansers (first segment): South Zone: South Waterfowl ZoneNov 7, 2026Nov 8, 2026Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Ducks, Coots and Mergansers (second segment): South Zone: South Waterfowl ZoneNov 28, 2026Jan 24, 2027Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Canada Geese, Light Geese and Brant (early segment): North Zone: North Waterfowl ZoneSep 5, 2026Sep 13, 2026Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Canada Geese, Light Geese and Brant (second segment): North Zone: North Waterfowl ZoneOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 2026Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Canada Geese, Light Geese and Brant (third segment): North Zone: North Waterfowl ZoneNov 21, 2026Feb 14, 2027Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Canada Geese, Light Geese and Brant (early segment): Central Zone: Central Waterfowl ZoneSep 5, 2026Sep 13, 2026Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Canada Geese, Light Geese and Brant (second segment): Central Zone: Central Waterfowl ZoneOct 31, 2026Nov 8, 2026Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Canada Geese, Light Geese and Brant (third segment): Central Zone: Central Waterfowl ZoneNov 21, 2026Feb 14, 2027Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Canada Geese, Light Geese and Brant (early segment): South Zone: South Waterfowl ZoneSep 1, 2026Sep 13, 2026Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Canada Geese, Light Geese and Brant (second segment): South Zone: South Waterfowl ZoneNov 7, 2026Nov 11, 2026Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Canada Geese, Light Geese and Brant (third segment): South Zone: South Waterfowl ZoneNov 21, 2026Feb 14, 2027Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
White-fronted Geese: North Zone: North Waterfowl ZoneNov 21, 2026Feb 14, 2027Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
White-fronted Geese: Central Zone: Central Waterfowl ZoneNov 21, 2026Feb 14, 2027Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
White-fronted Geese: South Zone: South Waterfowl ZoneNov 21, 2026Feb 14, 2027Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Youth Waterfowl Weekend: North Zone: North Waterfowl ZoneOct 17, 2026Oct 18, 2026Youth Hunting License + Federal Duck Stamp if 16 or older + HIP
Youth Waterfowl Weekend: Central Zone: Central Waterfowl ZoneOct 24, 2026Oct 25, 2026Youth Hunting License + Federal Duck Stamp if 16 or older + HIP
Youth Waterfowl Weekend: South Zone: South Waterfowl ZoneOct 31, 2026Nov 1, 2026Youth Hunting License + Federal Duck Stamp if 16 or older + HIP
Veteran and Active-Duty Military Days: North Zone: North Waterfowl ZoneOct 17, 2026Oct 18, 2026Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Veteran and Active-Duty Military Days: Central Zone: Central Waterfowl ZoneOct 24, 2026Oct 25, 2026Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP
Veteran and Active-Duty Military Days: South Zone: South Waterfowl ZoneOct 31, 2026Nov 1, 2026Hunting License + Waterfowl Stamp + Federal Duck Stamp + HIP

American Woodcock Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularOct 15, 2026Nov 28, 2026Hunting License + HIP Registration
Verify before you hunt. These dates are compiled for planning and can change between when they're published and when the season opens, and many states vary dates by unit, zone, or WMU. Always confirm with IN Dept of Natural Resources (IDNR) before heading out. Nothing here is legal advice.
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