Indiana Population and Management ArchiveIndiana Page

View the archive by scrolling through the window below or Load the Archive DocumentHistoric deer hunt data is below the Archive window on the left column with links to sources.    A list of all articles in the Archive is below the window.

Indiana Deer Population and Management Archive

Annual Reported Deer Hunt

1987:   51,778

1988:   60,230

1989:   79,318

1990:   88,763

1991:   98,683

1992:   95,314

1993: 101,214

1994: 112,416

1995: 117,729

1996: 123,086

1997: 104,937

1998: 100,461

1999:   99,618

2000:   98,725

2001: 103,163

2002: 104,428

2003: 106,986

2004: 123,058

2005: 125,526

2006: 125,381

2007: 124,427

2008: 129,748

2009: 132,752

2010: 134,004

2011: 129,018

2012: 136,248

2013: 125,635

2014: 120,073

2015: 123,664

2016: 119,477

2017: 113,595 

2018: 111,251 

2019: 114,882

2020:  124,180

2021:  112,481

2022: 121,854


Data Source IDNR


Deer Hunting Data


Some minor updates to total in 2015 to 2018

2020

Hunting season begins and deer are on the run October 6, 2020 Indiana

2018

2018 Indiana Deer Forecast October 29, 2018

Animals disappear, return across Hoosier State March 13, 2018 Indiana

Weather puts deer harvest season in deep freeze January 14, 2018 Indiana,

2017

County Deer Advisory Councils quickly gaining traction March 12, 2017 Indiana

Deer baiting is illegal September 9, 2017 Indiana

Deer reduction program begins at Potato Creek State Park November 12, 2017 Indiana,

Deer season shows improvement November 19, 2017 Indiana

Dubois County, Group forms to address county's dwindling deer herd April 13, 2017 Indiana,

Indiana hunters provide useful information to DNR December 2, 2017

Indiana White-tailed Deer Herd Management Is Putting Together County Deer Advisory Councils February 16, 2017

Indiana, Illinois hunting license fraud leads to more than $85,000 in fines January 10, 2017

Ticks pose a problem for Indiana's deer herd July 28, 2017 Indiana

2016

18 state parks to close for controlled deer reductions November 2, 2016 Indiana

Area antlerless quotas unchanged July 24, 2016 Indiana

At least 26 Indiana counties had prairie lands April 12, 2016 Indiana

Bonus antlerless deer quotas August 12, 2016 Indiana

Deer harvest numbers down at Indiana state parks March 11, 2016

Deer Hunters Can Now Use High-Powered Rifles On Private Property April 5, 2016 Indiana

Deer Hunting Bill Clears Senate Committee January 11, 2016 Indiana,

Healthy forests need some management August 31, 2016 Indiana

High-powered rifle bill triggers opposition Mardh 24, 2016 Indiana,

Hunting amendment bad choice for environment October 21, 2016 Indiana,

Indiana 2015 Deer Season Summary April 29, 2016

Legal fenced hunting starts November 20, 2016 Indiana

Opponents question fairness of 'canned hunting' in Indiana March 20, 2016 Indiana,

Our Opinion: Close the lid on canned hunts March 23, 2016 Indiana

Pence is to blame for the DNR losing its way March 3, 2016 Indiana

Pence signs captive hunting bill March 24, 2016 Indiana

Potential Changes Coming To High-Fenced Hunting Bill February 15, 2016

Remember When….No Deer, Bear or Bobcats? August 16, 2016 Indiana

Survival and space use of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns in urban and rural southern Indiana CR Williamson - 2016

2015

14 state parks to close in Indiana for controlled deer reduction November 10, 2015

2015 Trophy Deer Forecast: Indiana October 21, 2015

Amended High-Fenced Deer Hunting Bill Passes Committee March 30, 2015 Indiana

Bucks on the prowl as gun season nears November 1, 2015 Indiana

Canned Hunting Legislation 2015 January 25, 2015 Indiana

Competing bills would ban, legalize fenced deer hunts January 17, 2015 Indiana

Court Decision Renews Fenced Hunting Debate August 3, 2015 Indiana,

Court rules against DNR in high-fence hunting fight February 2, 2015 Indiana

Deer harvest continues to decline May 10, 2015 Indiana

Deer hunt group eyes standards July 28, 2015 Indiana

Deer season opens October 1, 2015 Indiana,

DNR backpeddles as deer population dwindles May 20, 2015 Indiana

DNR doesn't back high-powered rifles for deer hunting May 11, 2015 Indiana

DNR gives final approval to package of rule changes May 21, 2015 Indiana,

DNR releases 2014 deer harvest figures April 29, 2015 Indiana

Family farm includes deer among its livestock March 15, 2015 Indiana

From Cecil the lion to Indiana’s deer September 2, 2015 Indiana

Group starts self-policing program for confined hunting August 2, 2015 Indiana

High powered rifles called into question for deer February 10, 2016 Indiana,

Hoosiers can help with wildlife studies October 18, 2015 Indiana

House committee approves captive deer-hunt bill February 9, 2015 Indiana,

Hunting group, DNR team up to feed deer October 30, 2015 Indiana

Indiana Deer Forecast for 2015 September 2, 2015

Indiana Supreme Court Affirms High-Fenced Hunting Is Legal June 5, 2015

Is baiting animals ethical? August 24, 2015 Indiana

Is bill that would slash DNR law-enforcement funding 'bad for business'? February 8, 2015 Indiana,

Legislators hold fate of fenced hunting February 17, 2015 Indiana,

Let’s fix Indiana’s deer hunting woes November 18, 2015

Lion's Demise Shines Light On Captive Hunting In Indiana September 14, 2015

Livestock issue clogs debate over deer hunts January 26, 2015 Indiana

NRC adopts fees, drops high-powered rifle and sunfish proposals May 29, 2015 Indiana

Senate leader holding up bill on fenced-in hunting preserves March 23, 2015 Indiana

Senate leader puts fenced-hunting bill on hold February 25, 2015 Indiana, Indianapolis

Senate shoots down bill regulating fenced-in deer hunting April 15, 2015 Indiana

Should Hoosiers have a constitutional right to hunt and fish? January 23, 2015 Indiana

The Dirty Secret of Indiana’s Declining Deer Herd December 13, 2015

Who's to blame for declining deer numbers? December 12, 2015 Indiana

Wildlife regulation ruling flawed November 1, 2015 Indiana

Zoeller appeals captive-deer case to Supreme Court March 4, 2015 Indiana

2014

2015 to see high-powered rifle for deer hunting in Indiana? December 26, 2014

A troubling industry is born March 28, 2014 Indiana

Adjusting for smaller deer herd July 13, 2014 Indiana

Antlerless quotas reduced in 19 counties June 27, 2014 Indiana

Blame the 'hunters' in the captive deer controversy July 18, 2014 Indiana,

Bonus antlerless deer county quotas are set June 30, 2014 Indiana,

Buck opener was tough one December 2, 2014 Indiana

Canned hunting among Indiana summer study issues June 2, 2014

Canned-hunting bill an unsporting proposition January 28, 2014 Indiana

Captive deer hunting needs to go away May 10, 2014 Indiana

Coyotes adjust to landscape, including urban areas November 10, 2014 Indiana

Deer harvest down for 2013 February 27, 2014 Indiana,

Deer harvest should prompt rules change March 20, 2014 Indiana

Deer hunting season shortened for some Ind. counties June 26, 2014 Indiana

DNR report shows decline in deer harvest March 16, 2014 Indiana

Hard winter likely will take a toll on area animal, fish populations March 6, 2014 Indiana

High-fence hunting bill falls one vote shy in the Indiana Senate February 4, 2014 Indiana

Hunters Arrested For Baiting Deer November 17, 2014 Indiana,

Indiana case inspires laws over captive deer hunts April 12, 2014

Indiana case inspires laws over captive hunts June 19, 2014

Indiana Deer Hunting Forecast 2014 October, 2014

Indiana Dunes, Sharpshooters to cull deer herd at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore January 27, 2014 Indiana

Indiana high-fence hunting bill may advance January 16, 2014

Indiana Wildlife Federation opposes ... deer farm hunting June 27, 2014

Is the rack worth the risk? March 28, 2014 Indiana

It s official Indiana deer harvest down March 20, 2014 Indiana

Lawmakers seek review of captive deer industry May 3, 2014 Indiana

Lawmakers take aim at trophy deer trade June 10, 2014 Indiana

Minimal changes as deer hunting season begins September 28, 2014 Indiana

Missouri veto resonates through captive deer hunting industry July 14, 2014 Indiana

Officials: Indiana deer reduction successful January 11, 2014

Officials: Indiana deer reduction successful January 11, 2014 WNDU-TV ... at 21 state parks ... more than 1,700 deer were "harvested" ...

Putnam 27th as deer harvest down but still top-10 season March 7, 2014 Indiana

Putnam 27th as deer harvest down but still top-10 season March 7, 2014 Indiana

Reduce Deer Harvest February 23, 2014 Indiana

Reduced deer herd greets hunters Saturday November 14, 2014 Indiana

Restoration programs, environmental changes bring resurgence of wildlife in Indiana October 12, 2014

Senate Bill 52 - The "Dumbing Down" of Indiana wildlife violations February 7, 2014 Indiana

Senate bill attacks deer hunting March 5, 2014 Indiana

Study: Some deer farmers put ethics on line for profit March 30, 2014 Indiana

Team studying differences among Indiana deer March 31, 2014 Indiana

Trophy deer industry linked to disease, costs taxpayers millions March 28, 2014 Indiana

What can happen if preserve owners make the rules March 28, 2014 Indiana,

Will state face another high-fence deer hunting debate? October 7, 2014 Indiana,

Winter stressing NWI wildlife February 23, 2014 Indiana

2013

21 state parks to close for deer hunts November 4, 2013 Indiana

Bill on deer hunting benefits state, needy March 4, 2013 Indiana

Canned hunting bill should be canned for good March 29, 2013 Indiana

Canned hunts have no place in Indiana October 18, 2013

Captive deer hunts may be added to Senate bill March 22, 2013 Indiana

CheckIN Game receives upgrades before fall deer, turkey seasons September 8, 2013 Indiana

Deer attractants are illegal in Indiana November 17, 2013

Deer feed recalled due to aflatoxin contamination May 6, 2013 Indiana

Deer firearms season starts Saturday in Indiana November 16, 2013

Deer harvest numbers could drop slightly this year September 28, 2013 Indiana

Deer hunters join fight against "hunting preserves" March 22, 2013 Indiana

Deer hunters on rise according to new numbers February 27, 2013 Indiana

Deer hunters shouldn't expect another record harvest September 17, 2013 Indiana

Deer In Hoosier Hunters' Sights Starting Saturday November 15, 2013 Indiana

Deer season may extend May 19, 2013 Indiana

Deer tracking dogs can save the day October 17, 2013 Indiana

DNR thinks population smaller March 11, 2013 Indiana

DNR warns deer hunters against shooting dogs September 29, 2013, Indiana

Do deer really like apples? September 26, 2013 Indiana,

Evaluating doe permits December 8, 2013 Indiana,

G&F Forecast: Where To Go Whitetail Deer Hunting in Indiana in 2013 October, 2013

Governor should appeal court ruling on deer, high fence hunting October 14, 2013 Indiana

Herd Status, Indiana Deer Season 2013: Hunting Forecast October 4, 2013

High-fence deer hunting amendment passes Indiana House committee April 1, 2013 Indiana

History of the early development of game regulations in Indiana, HH Michaud - Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science, 2013

Hoosier buck harvest drops March 17, 2013 Indiana

Ind. DNR allows hunters into state parks, curbs deer population July 20, 2013 Indiana

Indiana deer herd stabilizes for 2013 September 22, 2013

Indiana deer hunters set sights on firearms season November 23, 2013

Indiana DNR rejects extra deer seasons July 21, 2013

Indiana Herd Status, Deer-hunting season right around the corner September 27, 2013

Indiana hunters set record deer harvest in 2012 seasons February 21, 2013

Indiana must say no to canned hunting March 22, 2013

Indiana reports record deer February 25, 2013

Indiana studying ruling throwing out deer farm ban October 3, 2013

Indiana’s deer herd — a 'tail' of two sides, deer history December 29, 2013

Judge Throws Out Deer Preserve Ban October 16, 2013 Indiana

Judge: DNR overstepped in attempt to shut down high-fence deer hunting October 2, 2013 Indiana,

Lawmaker advocates fenced deer hunting March 19, 2013 Indiana

Lawmakers consider bill to legalize fenced deer hunting preserves March 25, 2013 Indiana

Lawmakers debate fenced hunts March 26, 2013 Indiana

Panel considers Indiana fenced deer hunting sites March 25, 2013 Indiana

Trying to figure out where the deer have gone? December 11, 2013 Indiana

Versailles park to close temporarily for deer reductions November 4, 2013 Indiana

White-tailed deer neared extinction November 13, 2013 Indiana

Why Deer Crave Salt August 2, 2013 Indiana

2012

'One-buck' rule gets indefinite extension May 20, 2012 Indiana

Call To End Captive Deer Hunts October 31, 2012 Indiana

Captive hunting bill passes committee January 25, 2012 Indiana

Deer culls need to be stopped out of compassion November 11, 2012 Indiana

Deer harvest down in '11,still 4th best March 12, 2012 Indiana

Deer Hunting Season in Indiana October 1, 2012 WISH

Deer hunts will close Indiana state parks November 5, 2012

Deer outlook uncertain as season looms November 15, 2012 Indiana

Deer perspective: March 16, 2012 Indiana

Electronic check-in for hunters under study September 2, 2012 Indiana

Fenced deer hunting rejected February 6,2012 Indiana

Fenced hunting draws ire, support in latest skirmish February 4, 2012 Indiana

If your deer has a yellow ear tag, contact the IDNR October 28, 2012 Indiana

Ind. DNR Introduces Online Deer Checks September 17, 2012 Indiana

Indiana offers 3 options for hunters to check-in deer November 17, 2012 Evansville

Let common sense decide late season deer harvest December 6, 2012 Indiana

2011

3 hunters charged with baiting deer November 13, 2011 Indiana

Deer population still larger than DNR would like December 20, 2011 Indiana

DNR Unveiles Changes To Deer Hunting Rules January 4, 2011 Indiana

Efforts to kill canned hunting in limbo July 3, 2011 Indiana

History of deer in Indiana, Deer season opens today November 12, 2011 Indiana

Hunters set record deer kill for third straight year February 18, 2011 Indiana

Indiana's proposals are aimed at deer herd reduction July 3, 2011

It's opening day of shotgun deer season, historic harvest data November 12, 2011 Indiana

Large deer harvest forecast for 2011 November 7, 2011 Indiana

Nature thins Maine's herds, but Indiana needs deer hunters November 13, 2011, Indiana

New deer plan up for comment, Indiana June 26, 2011

Protestors stall Indiana deer reform | PHIL POTTER COLUMN (too many bucks being killed) January 2, 2011 Indiana

Regarding white-tailed deer, history November 17, 2011 Indiania

Deer numbers down, but productive season expected November 5, 2014 Indiana

DNR gets earful on deer proposals 10/30/2010 Indiana October 30, 2010

Indiana Deer Population Estimates for 1940 to 1068

State parks close for deer hunting November 15, 2010 Indiana