The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has developed three new hunting seasons for hunters 15 years old or younger. A youth spring (2007) turkey season, deer season (2006), and small game free hunting weekend (2006)are included.

Youth Small-Game Free Hunting Weekend, Sept 2-3, 2006. 

For any resident age 15 years or younger on the date of the hunt, and accompanied by an adult of at least 18 years of age, can take squirrel, mourning dove, Canada goose, blue and green-wing teal and other early migratory birds in season during on these days. 

The youth hunter does not have to possess a hunting license, HIP number or stamp, but must comply with all other hunting regulations. The accompanying adult must be in close enough in order to monitor and communicate with the youth hunter at all times and may assist the youth hunter, including calling, but the adult may not carry a firearm or bow and arrow. The accompanying adult must possess a valid hunting license, unless exempted. 

Youth Deer Hunting Season, Sept. 23 and 24, 2006. 

Any youth age 15 years or younger on the date of the hunt, and accompanied by an adult of at least 18 years of age, can take one antlerless deer during this special youth deer season. This deer may be in addition to any deer taken during any other season. Although the accompanying adult cannot take a deer, both the youth hunter and the adult must meet hunter-orange apparel requirements.

The youth hunter must possess a valid youth hunting license, which includes the completion of a hunter education class, but the accompanying adult does not need to possess a hunting license while in the field with the youth hunter. The youth hunter must comply with all deer-hunting regulations including, tagging the deer and checking it in to a deer check station within 48 hours. The youth hunter may use a legal shotgun, muzzleloader, bow and arrow, or crossbow, to take the deer, but may possess only one type of equipment while in the field. The accompanying adult cannot possess a firearm, muzzleloader, bow and arrow or crossbow while in the field with the youth hunter. 

Youth Wild Turkey Season, April 21, 22, (2007). 

A youth wild turkey season is scheduled for April 21 and 22, 2007. The season allows a youth turkey hunter who is 15 years old or younger to take a bearded or male wild turkey. The youth must be accompanied by an adult of at least 18 years old. The youth hunter may use any legal shotgun, bow and arrow, or crossbow. The adult accompanying the youth hunter must not possess a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow while in the field, and does not need to possess a turkey-hunting license. The youth hunter may take only one bearded or male wild turkey during the spring season, inclusive of the youth and regular spring turkey seasons. The youth must be properly licensed to take a wild turkey and comply with all tagging and check-in requirements.

DNR Reduces Bonus Deer License Fees

To better maintain a balanced deer herd, the DNR has encouraged the taking of antlerless deer during hunting all of the seasons. Recently, the Natural Resources Commission ratified a proposal by the DNR that will reduce the cost of certain bonus antlerless deer tags.

Under the new proposal the cost of the first bonus antlerless deer license remains $24 for Indiana residents and $150 for non-residents. But to encourage the taking of additional antlerless deer, the cost for the second and subsequent bonus antlerless tags falls to $15 for Indiana residents and $24 for non-residents.

Additional information is available by calling the Division of Fish and Wildlife: 317-232-4080, not a toll-free call.