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100 Best Public-Land Hunts: Indiana
Fairbanks Landing Fish and Wildlife Area
Location: southwest Indiana
Size: 8,000 acres
ZIP: 47849
"Lots of deer and lots of room," sums up the public hunting situation in Indiana, according to Jim Mitchell, deer management biologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. But while deer numbers are high statewide, Mitchell notes that "most of our fish and wildlife areas are heavily hunted and have fairly young deer." An exception is Fairbanks Landing. On the flood plain of the Wabash River (which forms the border between Indiana and Illinois), leased corn and soybean fields dominate what is essentially a Midwestern landscape. Until recently, hunters needed a special permit from Indiana Michigan Power Company, which owns the land, but hunting opened to all in 2005 and Fairbanks produced 10 or 15 "nice, big deer that were 10 points or better" that year, says DNR land manager Mark Reiter.
Kingsbury Fish and Wildlife Area
Location: northwest Indiana
Size: 7,100 acres
ZIP: 46350
"Kingsbury has been a premiere deer-hunting destination in northwest Indiana for many years," Reiter says of this former munitions plant site near heavily urbanized areas in the prairie country near Lake Michigan. That's largely due to a fairly extensive area of disposed ordnance that's off limits to hunters but wide open sanctuary for deer. "That contributes to keeping the deer population higher and allowing bigger animals to survive later than usual on public land," Reiter says, "and Kingsbury still produces some pretty big deer occasionally." The habitat includes restored native prairie grasses like big bluestem and switch grass, some marshland and thick brush, and leased croplands that help deer survive the winter.
Crosley and Splinter Ridge Fish and Wildlife Areas
Location: southeast Indiana
Size: 6,688 combined acres
ZIP: 47265
Only 10 miles apart, Crosley and Splinter Ridge offer excellent oak-hickory deer habitat in the eastern hardwood forest landscape that dominates this part of the state. Wooded rolling hills make up about 80 percent of Crosley's 2,460 acres, which also feature 13 ponds and seven miles of the Muscatatuck River. Splinter Ridge's steeper hillsides make for tougher hiking across its 4,228 acres, and rolling hayfields and brushy cover provide shelter and some additional food for deer. A shortage of green browse and agriculture crops on both areas means that a good mast year is essential to hunting success.
Jim Mitchell is right, we have a lot of deer, just not a lot of big deer due to hunting pressure. I recently returned from the military and learned of the new Indiana law of one buck per person per season and I have seen first hand the results. More deer, and more deer will mean bigger deer I hope. This along with our doe permits seem to be working well as far as management is concerned. I did shoot a nice 10 pointer this year during bow season, and he was only 21/2 years old, imagine if I had filled my tag before hand and had to let him pass which I am sure has happened already. He could be a giant within the next couple years. Indiana I think will be hitting the record books more often then we have in the past. I don't know or pretend to know everything about deer management, but I like what I see from Indiana's deer herd compared to when I left for the military just five years ago. Hopefully it will get better and better from here.
Posted by: David | June 01, 2008 at 01:44 AM
I hunted Kingsbury and a few other places, but quit public land in Indiana. Moved to Illinois where I see waaaaaay more P&Y bucks by comparison, on public land. 5 for 5 for me over the last 5 years. 0 for 10 in Indiana. One buck is good but not the answer. Look elsewhere.
Posted by: Zim | June 06, 2008 at 04:41 PM
What other counties can you use a bonus deer tag on DNR properties or state forests?
Posted by: Larry Miller | August 31, 2008 at 09:00 AM
What other counties can you use a bonus deer tag on DNR properties or state forests?
Posted by: Larry Miller | August 31, 2008 at 09:03 AM