[22inhd] Small Game - ERegulations

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  • Changes to Deer Hunting Regulations: An Overview
  • Hunting Seasons
  • Deer Regulations
  • Deer Seasons, Licenses, & Equipment
  • Small Game
  • Antlerless Deer
  • Deer Equipment
  • Waterfowl & Migratory Bird Regulations
  • Gamebirds
  • Wild Turkey
  • Furbearer Hunting
  • Reptiles & Amphibians
  • Furbearer Trapping
• Features
  • An Introduction to Deer Processing
  • Teal Hunting
  • Venison Hamburger Pie Recipe
  • Hear From Our Hunters
  • Teal Hunting Opportunities
  • Duck-Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers Recipe
  • Conservation Funding: A Benefit for All
  • Tree Stand Safety
• PDF Downloads
  • 

Small Game

Rabbit

Cottontail rabbit season is from Nov. 1, 2025 through Feb. 28, 2026.

Hunting hours for rabbits in February on FWAs and at Mississinewa, Patoka, and Salamonie lakes are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour before sunset.

There are no equipment or ammunition restrictions for rabbit hunting. A 12- or 20-gauge shotgun loaded with 6- to 71/2-size shot is recommended.

It is illegal to remove a rabbit from a hole, den, or tree hollow with the aid of a ferret or other small animal or other means. Hunter orange clothing requirements must be met while hunting rabbits (see General Information: Hunter Orange Requirements).

It is illegal to hunt, take, or possess swamp rabbits, which are an endangered species in Indiana.

Rabbits can be chased with a dog year-round with a hunting license. Certain restrictions apply on DNR-managed properties.

Squirrel

Gray and fox squirrel season is from Aug. 15, 2025 through Jan. 31, 2026.

Hunter orange clothing requirements (see General Information: Hunter Orange Requirements) must be met while hunting squirrels from Nov. 1, 2025 through Jan. 31, 2026.

There are no equipment or ammunition restrictions for squirrel hunting. A 20-gauge or smaller shotgun loaded with 6- to 7 ½-size shot or a .22-caliber rimfire rifle is recommended. Trapping of squirrels is illegal.

Shooting into or disturbing leaf nests and squirrel dens is illegal at all times.

It is illegal to hunt flying squirrels, which are a protected species in Indiana. They cannot be taken or possessed without a special permit.

Gray and fox squirrels can be chased with dogs year-round with a hunting license. Certain restrictions apply on DNR-managed properties (see Public Hunting Areas).

Hunting License Requirements for Small Game, Gamebirds & Migratory Birds
Animal	License & Stamps Required
Small Game
Rabbit, Squirrel*	Valid hunting license
Frog, Turtle	Valid hunting or fishing license
Gamebirds
Pheasant, Northern Bobwhite Quail	Valid hunting license and Gamebird Habitat Stamp
Crow	Valid hunting license
Wild Turkey**	Turkey license and Gamebird Habitat Stamp
Migratory Birds
Waterfowl (Geese, Ducks, Coots, Mergansers, Teal)	• Youth 15 and younger: Valid youth hunting license, HIP number • Youth 16-17: Valid youth hunting license, HIP number, Federal Duck Stamp • Adults 18+: Valid hunting license, HIP number, Federal Duck Stamp, State Waterfowl Stamp
Mourning Dove	Valid hunting license, HIP Number, and Gamebird Habitat Stamp
Woodcock, Sora, Snipe	Valid hunting license and HIP Number
Italicized Bold Text – Hunter orange is required for the entire season (see General Information: Hunter Orange Requirements). * Hunter orange is required from Nov. 1, 2025 through Jan. 31, 2026. ** Hunter orange is required from Dec. 6-21, 2025.

Indiana

• General Info
  • Messages
  • General Information
  • Deer Disease Information
  • Youth Hunting
  • DNR Wildlife Biologists
  • Public Hunting Areas
  • Public Shooting Ranges
  • DNR Law Enforcement
  • Wildlife Health
• Licenses, Permits & Fees
  • License Information
  • License Prices
• Hunting Regulations
  • Changes to Deer Hunting Regulations: An Overview
  • Hunting Seasons
  • Deer Regulations
  • Deer Seasons, Licenses, & Equipment
  • Small Game
  • Antlerless Deer
  • Deer Equipment
  • Waterfowl & Migratory Bird Regulations
  • Gamebirds
  • Wild Turkey
  • Furbearer Hunting
  • Reptiles & Amphibians
  • Furbearer Trapping
• Features
  • An Introduction to Deer Processing
  • Teal Hunting
  • Venison Hamburger Pie Recipe
  • Hear From Our Hunters
  • Teal Hunting Opportunities
  • Duck-Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers Recipe
  • Conservation Funding: A Benefit for All
  • Tree Stand Safety
• PDF Downloads
  •