Archery deer season begins in Indiana on October 1, and conservation officers want to remind hunters to stay safe.
More than 300,000 people are expected to participate in some form of deer hunting in Indiana during the various hunting seasons that run through January 31. The most common accidents during that time involve hunting from tree stands and other elevated platforms.
Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources published a list of hunting tips:
- Practicing tree stand setup and use at ground level
- Properly wearing a safety harness
- Use equipment specifically designed for hunting use
- Wear nonslip soles and maintain three points of contact at all times during ascent and descent
For any kind of hunting, elevated or otherwise, the DNR suggests people make and share a plan including where you intend to hunt and when you will return.
Marty Benson, Director of Communications with Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources, said while it’s too early to say how busy archery season will be, starting in October provides a more relaxed hunting experience compared to later in the year.
“All types of archery hunting take skill and precision, and hunting in October allows hunters to be in the woods in warmer, more comfortable temperatures when deer are pressured less, compared to the firearms season,” he said.
Archery season extends through January 7 of 2024, and gun season runs from November 18 to January 31. For a full list of safety tips, visit hunting.in.gov.
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