Deer reduction zones give hunters opportunities to harvest deer in defined urban areas and along portions of Indiana highways, in addition to harvests allowed by statewide bag limits elsewhere in Indiana. One new zone was added this year in Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. Click here to view an interactive map.
There is a statewide bag limit of 10 for deer harvested in reduction zones during the reduction zone season. A doe must be harvested first in a zone and be checked toward the bag limit for the deer reduction zone season before harvesting a buck to count toward the deer reduction zone bag limit.
The deer license bundle cannot be used to harvest a deer toward the deer reduction bag limit. Archery equipment and crossbows can be used in deer reduction zones starting Sept. 15.
More information
- The reduction zone season is Sept. 15, 2020 through Jan. 31, 2021.
- Bag limit: 10 deer, of which only one can be antlered. Individuals hunting in a designated reduction zone who are attempting to satisfy the reduction zone bag limit must harvest an antlerless deer in the Deer Reduction Zone before harvesting an antlered deer (a.k.a. earn-a-buck). The earn-a-buck requirement only applies to the reduction zone bag limit. The reduction zone bag limit is in addition to all other bag limits. See the hunting guide for deer bag limits.
- A Deer Reduction Zone license, resident youth hunt/trap, lifetime comprehensive hunting, or lifetime comprehensive hunting/fishing license is required unless you meet a license exemption under state law.
- The Deer Reduction Zone license allows the individual to harvest one deer per license. A valid license is required for each deer taken. Purchase a license.
- Where allowed by local ordinances, firearms legal for deer hunting can be used in reduction zones with a Deer Reduction Zone license or to count the deer towards the reduction zone bag limit from Nov. 14, 2020 through Jan. 31, 2021. The season does not override any local ordinances restricting discharge of firearms and bows.
- The season does not override any local ordinances restricting discharge of firearms and bows.
- It’s illegal to hunt, shoot at, or kill a deer or to shoot at any deer from within, into, upon, or across any public road.
- Hunters must obtain permission from landowners to hunt on their property. (For a private land permission form, see Permission to Hunt on Private Lands.)
- Deer Reduction Zones may be altered annually at the DNR director’s discretion based on deer population management needs.
Click here to read detailed descriptions of the deer reduction zones across Indiana.