General License Regulations
- Hunting licenses: A valid hunting license issued by the Indiana DNR is required to hunt any species of wild animal on both private and public land in Indiana. License exemptions can be found below. Some species also require state and/or federal stamps.
- Resident licenses: To qualify for resident hunting licenses, a person must have established a true fixed and permanent home and primary residence in Indiana for 60 consecutive days prior to purchasing a license or permit and not claim residency for hunting, trapping, or fishing in another state or country. All other individuals are nonresidents.
- Licenses and stamps: A hunting license (and applicable stamps, permits, and HIP number) must have an original signature in ink and be carried with the licensee while hunting or the licensee must produce an electronic copy of the license while hunting. The license or electronic copy of the license must be produced upon the request of an Indiana Conservation Officer or other authorized law enforcement officer.
- Hunter education: Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1986 must successfully complete a DNR-offered hunter education class to purchase an Indiana hunting license or must purchase an apprentice hunting license. See information on apprentice licenses.
- License reprints: Lost or damaged licenses can be reprinted online at no cost to the customer. Reprints at retail locations may come with a $3 service charge.
- License revoked: DNR-issued licenses may be revoked at the discretion of a court upon conviction of fish and wildlife law violations, or at the discretion of the Department, for noncompliance with conditions under which licenses are issued.
- License refunds: Licenses are nontransferable and nonrefundable.
How to Purchase a License
Online
Go to on.IN.gov/INhuntfish. Online license purchases have a $1 per license fee for system support maintenance and an additional $1 plus 1.96% credit card company fee on each transaction.
In Person
Visit one of more than 500 retailers statewide listed at on.IN.gov/INhuntfish.
By Mail
Send a check or money order (payable to DNR) or credit card information (include number and expiration date) to DNR Customer Service, Attention: Licenses.
Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Include:
- The license(s) and season (e.g., deer muzzleloader) you are purchasing
- Name, date of birth, Indiana Driver’s License number, and Social Security number (required by Indiana Code 14-22-11-3)
- Hunter education certificate number if born after Dec. 31, 1986
- Complete address, city, state, Zip code, and phone number
- Height, weight, color of hair, and color of eyes
*DNR Customer Service mailing address is:
402 W. Washington St.
W255B
Indianapolis, IN 46204
By Phone
Call the DNR Customer Service at 317-232-4200 or 877-463-6367 (toll-free).
Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
State Stamp & License Exemptions
The following are exempt from license requirements:
- Residents or nonresidents participating in a DNR-licensed field trial.
- Resident owners of Indiana farmland, resident lessees of Indiana farmland who farm that land, and the spouses and children living with them while hunting, fishing, or trapping on the farmland they own or lease. This exemption does not apply to land owned by a business, corporation, or partnership unless the shareholders, partners, members, or owners are composed solely of the members of an immediate family and farm that land and does not extend to immediate family members of those shareholders, partners, or members of the business entity.
Farmland means agricultural land that is devoted or best adaptable to the production of crops, fruits, timber, or the raising of livestock, or is assessed as agricultural land for property tax purposes. There is no acreage requirement to qualify for this exemption.
- Trustees and named trust beneficiaries comprised solely of the members of an immediate family that are residents of Indiana when hunting on the trust property (as defined in Indiana Code 30-4-1-2).
- Residents of Indiana engaged in full-time military service and who are carrying their leave orders and a valid Indiana driver’s license or Indiana voter registration card.
- Youth less than 13 years of age who are accompanying a licensed hunter who is at least 18 years of age; as long as the youth is not carrying a bow or firearm.
- Youth participating in free youth hunting days.
The following nonresidents can hunt with a resident license:
- A nonresident younger than 18 years old may hunt, trap, or fish with a resident license if a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian is an Indiana resident.
- Nonresident military personnel on active duty and stationed in Indiana may hunt or fish with a resident license.
Indiana allows nonresident landowners, including their spouse and children living with them, to hunt, fish, or trap on their own farmland in Indiana without a hunting license if the following conditions are met:
- The nonresident’s state allows the same exemption for the same species for Indiana residents who own farmland in that state.*
- While hunting, fishing, or trapping on the farmland, the nonresident must keep proof of ownership (for example, a tax receipt identifying the nonresident as owner) in a place where the proof is readily accessible.
* For example, if a nonresident is from state X that only allows Indiana residents who own land in that state an exemption to hunt small game on land they own without a license, then the same exemption would apply in Indiana for a nonresident who owns Indiana farmland and is hunting small game on that farmland. If state X does not include other species in the exemption, then the nonresident must have a valid nonresident license and any applicable stamps to hunt those species in Indiana.
This exemption does not apply to land owned by a business, corporation, or partnership unless the shareholders, partners, members, or owners are comprised solely of the members of an immediate family and farm that land.
Nonresidents who lease land in Indiana are not exempt and must purchase nonresident licenses.
Nonresident Private Shooting Preserve
Nonresidents must purchase a nonresident shooting preserve license ($20 for adult, $12 for youth) and any applicable stamp requirements to hunt bobwhite quail, ring-necked pheasants, or waterfowl on private shooting preserves. The nonresident private shooting preserve license expires April 30 immediately following the date the license is effective.
Persons with Disabilities
Individuals with a disability that prevent them from being able to hunt wild animals under regular hunting regulations may request a special permit from the DNR.
Special permits may allow those who cannot walk or have serious walking limitations to hunt from a vehicle or gain special vehicle access on public property. Individuals with a disability permit must also have the appropriate valid hunting license for that species, unless exempt from a license under state law while hunting on their farmland.
For rules or application forms, contact the Division of Fish & Wildlife by calling 317-232-4102 or visit hunting.IN.gov.
Individuals with certain permanent developmental disabilities as defined in state law may apply for a conditional hunter education card. The individual must first take the hunter education class.
A disability is defined as a physical impairment resulting from injury or disease, excluding impairment due to the normal aging process.
To find out where to hunt on a DNR property with a disability permit, contact the property manager (Public Hunting Areas).
Hunting Guide License
Law requires hunting guide or outfitter services that are offered or provided for money or other consideration to possess a valid annual Hunting Guide License issued under Indiana Code 14-22-15.5. The annual license expires on March 31 of the following year in which the license was issued. Applications for these licenses can be found at wildlife.IN.gov.
Apprentice Licenses
A resident or nonresident can buy an apprentice hunting license without having to take a hunter education class. An individual can purchase up to three apprentice licenses of any combination in a lifetime before having to take a DNR-offered hunter education class. Apprentice licenses are required for those born after Dec. 31, 1986 unless a DNR-offered hunter education class has been completed.
The apprentice hunter must be in close proximity to and able to communicate with a hunter who is at least 18 years old and has a valid hunting license (unless exempt from needing a hunting license) at all times. The individual who accompanies the apprentice hunter cannot accompany more than two apprentice hunters at one time while afield.
The apprentice resident youth hunt/trap license includes the same licenses and stamps as the regular resident youth hunt/trap license; it only exempts the license holder from needing to take a hunter education class.
Landowners or lessees of farmland and their children living with them who meet the requirements for license exemptions are also exempt from needing an apprentice hunting license.
Hunter Education
Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1986 must successfully complete a DNR-offered hunter education class to purchase a hunting license. Hunters certified in another state or Canada can also present a card or certificate and purchase an Indiana hunting license.
The DNR offers hunter education courses in counties throughout the state. These courses are available only to Indiana residents. Hunters 11 years old and under must be accompanied by a parent/guardian during every session. To find classes in your area, visit indianahuntereducation.com or contact:
- Hunter Education North, 317-605-1028; email chclark@dnr.in.gov
- Hunter Education South, 317-694-7531; email tbeck@dnr.in.gov
Indiana offers an online hunter safety course for hunters age 12 and older to obtain their hunter education card. For more information please visit hunter-ed.com/Indiana. If you have lost your hunter education card, visit ilostmycard.com.