Dedicated bow hunters have been practicing for the upcoming fall seasons.  

• Fall turkey archery season: Oct. 1-Nov. 1, 2026/Dec. 5, 2026-Jan. 3, 2027

• Deer archery season: Oct. 1, 2026-Jan. 3, 2027

Gun seasons will soon be here as well as fall turkey firearms season opens Oct. 21, and deer firearms season begins Nov. 14.

• Fall turkey firearms season: Oct. 21- Nov. 1, 2026 (select counties)

• Deer firearms season: Nov. 14-29, 2026

The bag limit each fall is one turkey of either sex per hunter. Deer season bag limits can be found in the current Hunting & Trapping Guide. You can easily check in all harvested game with the CheckIN Game button on GoOutdoorsIN.com or the mobile app.

McCormick’s Creek new campground

The DNR recently released plans for the new campground at McCormick’s Creek State Park, which will feature a larger campground footprint and expanded campsites designed to better serve today’s campers and enhance the visitor experience.

In March 2023, a deadly EF-3 tornado directly struck McCormick’s Creek State Park, destroying the park’s campground and toppling most of the surrounding trees. After extensive debris removal and site cleanup, the area is now prepared for construction of the new campground.

The new campground design includes 192 modern campsites across 65 acres, each with a full hookup to electricity, water and sewer. The modern campsites will measure approximately 32 by 40 feet, offering more space than the original sites and providing room for larger recreational vehicles. In addition, 32 primitive campsites will remain available for tent camping, and the existing group camps will continue to be available to rent.

As part of the project, a new gatehouse and camp store will be constructed, along with three new comfort stations and playgrounds located near each building. The plan also includes substantial tree planting and landscaping to help restore the natural character of the campground area.

Loon Lake Nature Preserve hike

Join Indiana DNR ecologist Nate Simons for a guided hike at Loon Lake Nature Preserve on Nov. 21 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. ET. The 1 mile hike leads participants through oak woodland with occasional views of Loon Lake. The trail ends at the edge of a lakeside sedge meadow, where hikers can enjoy the golden fall color of tamarack trees up close. Along the way, the group will pause to appreciate a massive open grown white oak, a relic of the once much more open landscape.

To attend the free event, register at https://events.in.gov/event/guided-hike-loon-lake-nature-preserve?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=State+of+Indiana 

Waterfowl hunting for youth, veterans, active-duty military

Starting in October, Indiana offers waterfowl hunting opportunities for youth, veterans and active-duty military personnel. These groups may hunt ducks, geese, mergansers and coots on designated weekends depending on the zone in Indiana. To take part in the youth hunts, participants must be 17 years old or younger on the day of the hunt and accompanied by an adult who’s at least 18 years old and has a valid hunting license. Resident and nonresident veterans eligible for these opportunities are defined in Section 101 of Title 38 of the U.S. Code. Qualifying military personnel include active-duty members of the armed forces as well as active members of the National Guard and Reserves.

Bag and species limits match the regular season for ducks and geese, but hunters can only take one scaup per day during these dates. More information about hunting requirements can be found at on.IN.gov/gamebird-seasons.

New technology for tern counts

Indiana’s DNR bird experts have begun using camera-equipped drones to look for young least terns, helping track how well the species is reproducing. The nests and eggs of the state-endangered least tern are easy to miss during on-foot surveys because they are camouflaged in shallow ground depressions.

The species is also easily disturbed and stressed when people enter their nesting areas. Using drones lets the DNR gather more information about terns while reducing disturbances. The results of the survey will be reviewed in the coming months to see how well the state’s conservation efforts are working.

To support DNR projects, you can purchase a hunting, fishing or trapping license (even if you don’t plan to use it), donate to the Fish & Wildlife Fund, or donate to the Nongame Wildlife Fund.

Motor-driven airborne devices (including drones) and other airborne human transportation devices may not be operated at DNR properties except at sites designated for that purpose. Licenses to launch and film may occasionally be granted by DNR or by specific DNR divisions. (See IAC 312 8-2-8 (i) for rule language.) An FAA license and proof of insurance may be required. For more information, contact the property manager at the site your organization is interested in using.

‘till next time, 

Jack

Readers can contact the author by writing to this publication or e-mail Jack at jackspaulding1971@outlook.com. Spaulding’s books, “The Best Of Spaulding Outdoors” and “The Coon Hunter And The Kid,” are available from Amazon.com as a paperback or Kindle download.