Select Indiana State Park properties will close temporarily for controlled deer reductions in the coming weeks.
Two reduction efforts will take place. The first is on Monday, Nov. 12, and Tuesday, Nov. 13. The second is on Monday, Nov. 26, and Tuesday, Nov. 27. The participating state park properties will close to the general public on the evening before each of the two efforts.
The state park properties closing temporarily for the reductions are: Brown County, Chain O’Lakes, Clifty Falls, Fort Harrison, Harmonie, Indiana Dunes, Lincoln, Ouabache, Potato Creek, Prophetstown, Shades, Shakamak, Summit Lake, Tippecanoe River, Turkey Run, Versailles and Whitewater Memorial state parks, as well as Cave River Valley Natural Area and Trine State Recreation Area.
These state park properties will re-open the morning after each two-day reduction. All Indiana state park properties not mentioned will be operating under normal hours.
Indiana DNR biologists evaluate which state park properties require a deer reduction each year, based on habitat recovery and previous harvest rates at each park. The state parks are home to numerous natural communities that serve as significant habitat. The deer reductions help control browsing by deer to a level that ensures habitat for all plants and animals.
Only individuals selected from the draw may participate at any site.
A full report on the 2017 reductions is at dnr.IN.gov/parklake/files/sp-DeerRMRR.pdf. The 2018 report will be available in January 2019.
Information regarding 2019 state park deer reductions, including online applications, will be available next summer at wildlife.IN.gov/5834.htm. The application deadline is usually at the end of August of the year in which the reductions are to take place.