Some state parks closing for deer hunts

Select Indiana state parks will close temporarily to allow for controlled deer reductions.

The dates for the temporary closings are Nov. 16 to 17 and Nov. 30 to Dec. 1.

The state parks affected are Clifty Falls, Fort Harrison, Harmonie, Lincoln, McCormick’s Creek, Ouabache, Pokagon, Potato Creek, Prophetstown, Shades, Shakamak, Tippecanoe, Turkey Run and Whitewater Memorial.

These state parks will close to the general public the evening before each listed date and reopen the morning after each two-day reduction.

Only individual hunters drawn in September and hunters listed on their applications may participate in the hunts. There will be no standby drawings this year.

DNR biologists evaluate which parks require a reduction each year based on habitat recovery and previous harvest rates at each park. The reductions help control browsing by deer to a level that helps maintain habitat throughout the state parks for all plants and animals.