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.