Indiana – The Underrated Big Buck State

By Brian Sorrells

            Many articles have been written about the great states of Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, and especially Illinois as “THE” ultimate destination for big whitetail bucks.  Often overlooked is a state that sits right between the middle of the three.  Indiana is rarely talked about as a big buck destination and most of us Hoosier hunters don’t mind that one bit.

            But in all fairness, I think Indiana deserves a nod as one of the “Big Buck Mecca’s” and is as fine a place to hunt big whitetail bucks as any state I’ve ever hunted.  Not that antler size is the number one reason we traditional bowhunters go afield with stick and string, but there’s no denying that the sight of a big rack floating through the early mist on a beautiful November morning will raise the heart rate of even the most seasoned stickbow hunter.

            I think one of the reasons Indiana isn’t yet rated as a “big buck” destination is because we Hoosiers don’t want the secret to get out.  There are thousands of acres of public land and National Forest available for hunting, and with a little research, one can eliminate a lot of less productive land.  Thanks to topographical maps and satellite photography, you can get a bird’s eye view of the exact locations you’re interested in.  As an added bonus, huge tracts of land surrounding these public areas are planted in a crop, which has its obvious attraction.

            One of the biggest bucks of my traditional career came from careful scouting, poring over topo maps and satellite photos, and picking an ideal spot on public land that was used by those deer that would actively feed in the privately owned crop fields that butted up against the public land.  As a matter of fact, it was the second of two bucks that passed by my carefully chosen ambush location.  It was late October and the bucks were just starting to cruise for does, scent checking the downwind side of the exit from the crop fields.  An added bonus was the fact that it took an hour of overland travel through some fairly tough terrain just to get to this location.

            Indiana has literally tens of thousands of National and State Forest land available to hunters.  Not only for whitetails, but the Eastern wild turkey is abundant in many areas and the Hoosier state has recently adopted a fall either sex season.  Small game such as squirrels are at a near all-time high for traditional bowhunters who really enjoy the challenge and fine table fare provided by small game.

            For those of us with “southern” tastes, there are also plenty of opossum and raccoon which also make fantastic eating when properly prepared.

            Thousands of acres of lakes and miles of river will give the avid bowfisherman (and woman) all the action they want on rough fish such as buffalo and carp.  Game fish are off limits for the bow and arrow but, trust me, you can wear yourself out shooting carp  and never even make a dent in the population.  Some of these copper monsters can reach 50 pounds with ease, and the silver carp can grow even bigger. 

            The two major impoundments in my area, lakes Monroe and Patoka, have plenty of shoreline which will allow access to shallow water carp for those who don’t have access to a boat.

            The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is the best source of information for maps and locations where hunting is the best.  A little more research will show you which counties produce the biggest bucks on a regular basis.  The counties bordering “The Big 3” (Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan) are generally good bets.

            In days gone by, a kind word and an offer to help throe hay or feed cattle would usually result in permission granted to hunt private land, of which there is plenty in our beautiful state.  Unfortunately, the almighty dollar has the same effect here that it does in other states.  But, one has to look at it from the farmer’s point of view also.  He has bills to pay and a family to feed the same as we do, and leasing hunting property is easy income.  It never hurts to ask though if you happen to come across a nice looking piece of property.  Just remember; don’t show up dressed in head to toe camo and toting your stickbow.  I’ve found more than my fair share of warm receptions by knocking on the door dressed in clean clothes, politely introducing myself and asking for a few moments of the landowner’s time.

            Indiana, like many other states, also has quite a few Urban Deer Zones.  Whitetails have become a nuisance around many towns due to urban sprawl, and many cities have adopted the plan due to complaints by residents of ravaged flower and vegetable gardens.  Indiana currently has a one buck rule but many of these Urban Deer Zones make allowances which mean you can harvest more than one buck under certain circumstances.

There are also small, “landlocked” parcels of land surrounded by housing developments and highways where whitetails thrive.  As a matter of fact, my first P&Y whitetail came from a 66 acre farm surrounded by a county road, a state highway, and a major U.S. highway, not to mention a housing development.  Whitetails are where you find ‘em! 

            According to one account in a national whitetail hunting magazine, Indiana has a high potential to produce a world record whitetail buck.  Stop and think about it.  We’re right smack in the middle of the states that consistently produce the biggest whitetail bucks every year.  Every year I see or read about numerous 200 class whitetails taken in counties all over the state.  Last fall, a 33 point whitetail was struck and killed by a vehicle within 40 miles of my home.  That’s right – the buck had 33 scorable points.

            I know that antler size is not a big deal for many of us traditional bowhunters, and that a big rack is just icing on the cake.  If you’re after meat for the freezer, you’ll have ample opportunity for that also.  Indiana offers bonus antlerless permits and, depending on which county you’re hunting in, you can take as many as four additional does as well as an antlered deer.

            Non-resident fees are extremely reasonable.  A non-resident antlered deer tag is $150.  The cost for the first bonus antlerless tag is also $150, but additional antlerless tags are only $24 each.  Hunter orange is required during certain times, so I recommend contacting the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for a current copy of Indiana’s hunting regulations and laws.  (See sidebar for Indiana DNR contact information.)

            If you’re looking for some exciting whitetail hunting and you’ve got a tight budget, do a little research and give Indiana a try.  You’re welcome anytime!

Indiana Department of Natural Resources

DNR Law Enforcement Central Office

402 West Washington Street

Indianapolis, IN 46204

(317) 232-4010

DNRlaw@dnr.IN.gov

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