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Some Indiana State Parks will be temporarily closed to the public for deer hunts on Dec. 2-3, 2024. The properties will be closed on the evening before the hunt and reopen the morning after. Only individuals selected from the draw may participate at any site.
Participating properties include:
Brown County State Park
Chain O’Lakes State Park
Charlestown State Park
Clifty Falls State Park
Fort Harrison State Park
Harmonie State Park
Lincoln State Park
McCormick’s Creek State Park
O’Bannon Woods State Park
Ouabache State Park
Pokagon State Park and Trine State Recreation Area
Potato Creek State Park
Prophetstown State Park
Raccoon State Recreation Area
Shades State Park
Shakamak State Park
Spring Mill State Park and Cave River Valley Natural Area
Summit Lake State Park
Tippecanoe River State Park
Turkey Run State Park
Versailles State Park
Whitewater Memorial State Park
Deer hunts in Indiana State Parks are carried out to ensure balanced and healthy natural communities and are a necessary management tool that reduces damaging state park deer populations. The hunts manage the impact white-tailed deer have on natural ecosystems, including on rare plants like the Yellow Lady's Slipper. Biologists from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources determine the need for a reduction annually on a park-by-park basis. Reducing deer populations ensures habitat for many sensitive species of flora and fauna protected in our state parks. Information about these hunts can be found at on.IN.gov/reservedhunt.