How to Get Your Indiana Hunting License
An Indiana hunting license is required for hunters of any age to legally take wildlife in the state, with narrow exceptions for landowners and their families. Residents pay $20 for an annual hunting license, while non-residents pay $90. Hunters born after December 31, 1986 must complete an IDNR-approved hunter education course before purchasing a standard license, though the course itself isn't required to purchase a license.
Licenses are sold through GoOutdoorsIN.com, at DNR customer service centers, and at authorized retailers statewide. An Indiana hunting license runs from April 1 through March 31 of the following year, regardless of when you buy it.
This guide walks you through how to get your Indiana hunting license and Hunter Education Certificate, step by step.
What Is a Hunting License in Indiana?
An Indiana hunting license is the legal document that allows you to take wildlife in the state. It's issued by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and comes in several forms, including a standard resident or non-resident annual license, a youth license for those 17 and younger, and an apprentice license that lets first-time hunters try the sport before completing hunter education.
The license itself is separate from your Hunter Education Certificate. The certificate proves you completed an IDNR-approved safety course, and once you earn it, it's valid for life. The license, on the other hand, expires every March 31 and must be purchased again for the next license year.
Who Needs a Hunting License in Indiana?
Indiana law requires a hunting license for any person, of any age, who hunts wildlife in the state, with narrow exceptions for landowners, their spouses, and their children hunting on land they own or lease, plus a handful of reciprocal exemptions for certain out-of-state farmland owners.
Hunter education works on a separate track from the license itself. Anyone born after December 31, 1986 must complete an IDNR-approved hunter education course before purchasing a standard license. There's no minimum age to earn certification, though Hunter-Ed's own online course requires students to be at least 12 and an Indiana resident.
Because Indiana offers an apprentice license as a workaround, the practical breakdown looks like this:
- Any age, using an apprentice license: can hunt without completing hunter education, up to three times in a lifetime, as long as a licensed adult 18 or older stays in close proximity and can communicate at all times.
- Born after December 31, 1986, buying a standard license: must complete hunter education and enter a Hunter Education Number (HED#) before the license will be issued.
- Born on or before December 31, 1986: exempt from hunter education, but still needs a license unless another exemption applies.
- Landowners, their spouses, and their children: exempt from the license requirement on land they own or lease.
Whichever category applies to you, keep proof of your license and, if required, your certification on hand while hunting.
How to Get Your Indiana Hunting License (Step-by-Step)
Getting licensed in Indiana is straightforward, and the apprentice license option makes it easy to try hunting before committing to the full hunter education course. Here's the full process from start to finish.
- Complete an IDNR-approved hunter education course if you were born after December 31, 1986 and aren't using an apprentice license.
- Purchase your license at GoOutdoorsIN.com, at a DNR customer service center, or at an authorized retailer.
- Select your license type: resident annual ($20), non-resident annual ($90), or youth (for those 17 and younger).
- Add a Deer License Bundle ($91 resident, $550 non-resident) or individual species licenses for turkey, deer, or waterfowl as needed.
- Carry your digital or printed license, plus your Hunter Education Certificate, any time you hunt.
Once you've completed these steps, you're fully licensed and ready for the field. The sections below cover the hunter education course and license purchase in more detail.
Step 1: Complete an IDNR-Approved Hunter Education Course
Indiana offers two straightforward paths to certification, and the online option comes with a residency restriction worth knowing about upfront.
- Online course (Indiana residents, age 12+): The Hunter-Ed Indiana course costs $34.95 and is the only approved online provider for the state. Non-residents can't use this option and must complete an in-person course instead.
- In-person classroom course: Offered free through IDNR, this option covers the full requirement in one sitting and is open to residents and non-residents alike.
- Apprentice license: Skip the course altogether and hunt under the direct supervision of a licensed adult mentor, available up to three times per lifetime regardless of age or residency.
After passing the online course, your temporary certificate is valid for 60 days, and IDNR mails your permanent certificate within 2 to 3 weeks.
Step 2: Purchase Your License
Once you have your Hunter Education Certificate, if it applies to you, you can buy your license through the IDNR website, by mail, or at a DNR property or authorized retailer.
You'll need a government-issued photo ID, your Social Security number, proof of hunter education if required, and payment.
Step 3: Add Species Licenses and Go Hunting
A standard Indiana hunting license doesn't cover deer or turkey. Taking deer requires a separate Deer License Bundle or single-season license, and taking turkey requires a Spring or Fall Turkey license purchased on top of your base license.
Once your license and any species licenses are in hand, you're ready to hunt. Before you head out, review general hunting safety practices to make sure you're field-ready.
Indiana Hunting License Requirements by Age
Let's look at the requirements for hunting licenses in Indiana by age.
Indiana Hunting License Requirements (by Age) | ||
| Age | Requirement | Supervision/Hunter Education |
| Any age, apprentice license | License required (standard rate) | No hunter education needed. Must hunt with a licensed adult mentor, up to 3 times per lifetime. |
| 17 and younger | Youth license required | Hunter education required if born after December 31, 1986 |
| 18 and older, born after December 31, 1986 | Standard resident ($20) or non-resident ($90) license required | Must complete hunter education and enter an HED# before license issuance |
| Born on or before December 31, 1986 | Standard resident or non-resident license required | Exempt from hunter education |
Species licenses: Deer and turkey each require a separate license in addition to the base hunting license, regardless of age.
Season dates and bag limits vary by species and zone, so check before you plan a hunt.
Hunter Safety Course: Format and Cost
Indiana keeps its hunter education path simple, with a straightforward choice between an online course and a free in-person class. The chart below offers a quick overview of those formats and costs.
Indiana Hunter Safety Course Formats Comparison | ||||
| Format | Provider | Cost | Time | Exam |
Online (Indiana residents, 12+) | Hunter-Ed | $34.95 | A few hours | Online certification exam (no field day required) |
In-Person Classroom | IDNR volunteer instructors | Free | One session | Exam included |
Apprentice License | N/A (no course) | Standard license fee | N/A | Hunt under a licensed adult mentor instead |
Once you earn your certificate through either course format, it's good for the rest of your hunting life. The license itself is the only part you'll renew, and that happens every March 31.
What to Bring When Buying Your License
Make sure you have the right documentation handy to purchase your Indiana hunting license. You'll need:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Social Security number
- Hunter Education Certificate or HED#, if required for your birth year
- Payment (credit or debit card online or by mail, or card at a retailer)
Indiana Hunting Laws and Penalties
Hunting without a required license in Indiana is generally a Class C infraction. If the violation is found to be knowing or intentional, it becomes a Class C misdemeanor instead, which can carry a fine and up to 60 days in jail.
Make sure you review Indiana's hunting laws and regulations for the full requirements.
What About Reciprocity?
Indiana accepts hunter education certificates from any U.S. state or Canadian province, since the state's own program is built to IHEA-USA standards. Other IHEA-USA-compliant states and provinces return the favor and accept an Indiana Hunter Education Certificate.
The hunting license itself, however, is not transferable. Hunters visiting from out of state still need to purchase an Indiana non-resident license.
What Out-of-State Visitors Need to Know
Non-residents can hunt in Indiana with an annual license ($90) or a 5-day license ($50) for shorter trips. Non-resident youth 17 or younger can even purchase a resident-rate youth license if a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian is an Indiana resident.
A handful of states, including Ohio, Virginia, and North Carolina, also let their residents hunt license-free on Indiana farmland they own, under a reciprocal exemption.
Start Your Indiana Hunter Safety Course Today
The Hunter-Ed Indiana course is approved by IDNR and available online for Indiana residents 12 and older. Complete it at your own pace and get your lifetime Indiana Hunter Education Certificate.
Approved by Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) | Last verified August 7, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I need a hunting license in Indiana?
A: Yes, for any age, you need a hunting license in Indiana. There are narrow exceptions for landowners and their families hunting on their own land.
Q: How old do you have to be to get an Indiana hunting license?
A: There's no minimum age to get a hunting license in Indiana. Hunters 17 and younger use a youth license, and an apprentice license is available at any age for those who haven't completed hunter education.
Q: How much does an Indiana hunting license cost?
A: A resident annual hunting license in Indiana costs $20. A non-resident annual license costs $90. A non-resident 5-day license costs $50. Prices reflect IDNR's current published fee schedule.
Q: Does an Indiana hunting license expire?
A: Yes. Indiana licenses run from April 1 through March 31 of the following year, regardless of your purchase date.
Q: Can I take Indiana's hunter education course entirely online?
A: Only if you're an Indiana resident age 12 or older. Non-residents must complete the free in-person classroom course instead.
Q: Do I need hunter education in Indiana?
A: Yes, you need hunter education in Indiana if you were born after December 31, 1986. An apprentice license lets you hunt without it, up to three times in a lifetime, under a licensed adult mentor.
Q: What if I'm visiting Indiana to hunt?
A: Non-residents need an annual license ($90) or a 5-day license ($50) to hunt in Indiana. Non-resident youth 17 or younger may qualify for resident rates if a parent, grandparent, or guardian lives in Indiana.
Q: What's the penalty for hunting without a license in Indiana?
A: Hunting without a license in Indiana is generally a Class C infraction. Knowing or intentional violations become a Class C misdemeanor, which can include jail time up to 60 days.
