Indiana’s migratory bird hunting seasons for 2026-27 have been submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The hunting seasons include those for mourning dove, waterfowl (i.e., ducks, coots, mergansers, and geese), woodcock, snipe and sora rails.

The white-fronted goose season and bag limit are separate from those for other geese. The white-fronted goose season is closed during the first and second Canada goose segments but opens at the same time as the other geese seasons during the third segment. The daily bag limit is two white-fronted geese.

The Canada goose and Brant daily bag limit is five. Hunters may take any number of Canada goose and Brant as long the total between them equals five or less. The daily bag limit for light geese (snow and Ross’s geese) remains 20.

There are no changes in duck bag limits from 2025-26. The scaup daily bag limit remains one during the first 15 days of the duck season, and two for the rest of the season.

The possession limit for all migratory birds is three times the daily bag limit, except for light geese, for which there is no possession limit.

Find more information about the migratory gamebird hunting seasons and regulations at on.IN.gov/gamebird-seasons.

Natural Resources Commission seeks input on rule changes

The Indiana Natural Resources Commission has opened its first public comment period for proposed changes to bobcat and other wildlife-related rules. This is the first of two comment periods to occur before the NRC votes to adopt, reject or modify the proposed changes.

Proposed changes in the wildlife-related rule package include:

- Allowing muzzleloaders that load the powder and primer from the breech end during the muzzleloader season, in addition to the deer firearms and youth seasons;

- Removing previous limits on rifles for deer hunting, deferring to those set forth in IC 14-22-2-8;

- Increasing the antlerless deer bag limits in Fayette and Franklin counties;

- Removing armadillos from the list of exotic mammals;

- Removing Kirtland’s warbler from the state’s list of endangered species; and

- Allowing additional methods for taking frogs.

Proposed changes to the bobcat rule expand the bobcat season harvest to include hunting in addition to trapping following requests from some hunters for hunting opportunities. The quota would rise to 400 bobcats, with a goal of decreasing negative interactions with bobcats across the 40 counties with high-quality bobcat habitat, while still maintaining a strong bobcat population in Indiana. The season would start on Nov. 8, 2026, and run through Jan. 31, 2027, or until the quota is met, whichever is earlier, consistent with the 2025 season.

Public comments can be submitted at IN.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket/ by clicking on the “Submit Comments Here” link in the Rule-making Docket for that rule.

Comments can also be mailed to: Natural Resources Commission, C/O Indiana DNR Legal Division, 402 W. Washington Street, Room W-261, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

Please note comments received during the first comment period (in person or online) will be included with comments received during the second comment period. Multiple comments given by the same person will only be counted as one comment by that person.

The deadline for public comments during this first public comment period is May 19, 2026. Public hearings will also be held on May 19 at 12:30 ET for the bobcat rule, and at 3 p.m. ET for the wildlife-related rule package at The Garrison at Fort Harrison State Park, 6002 N. Post Road, Indianapolis, IN. Interested members of the public may attend in person or online anytime during those time frames. The public hearings will also be webcast live at IN.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket during the scheduled times, and viewers will be able to comment during the webcast. Sign up for updates at on.IN.gov/dfw-rule-changes.

IDNR awards $1.7 million for Indiana Trails Programs

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources recently announced recipients of Indiana Trails Program grants, awarding $1.7 million in trail development assistance to five communities across the state. With local matching funds included, the program will support nearly $3.3 million in total investment resulting in 4.12 miles of new trail construction.

ITP is a biennial grant program dedicated to expanding and enhancing Indiana’s network of trails to support outdoor recreation, community connectivity, economic development and quality of life. DNR received 31 applications requesting nearly $11 million in funding, demonstrating strong statewide demand for new and expanded trail infrastructure. The grant recipients are:

- Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation Department – White River Greenway ($400,000 - 0.5 miles)

- City of Fort Wayne – Fishing Line Trail ($400,000 - 0.72 miles)

- Hamilton County Parks Department – Bur Oak Bend Trails ($386,827.80 - 1.65 miles)

- Hancock County – NineStar Park Trail ($376,496 - 0.75 miles)

- Town of North Judson – Hidden Field Trail ($140,000 - 0.5 miles)

“These projects represent the best of what Indiana communities are doing to create accessible outdoor spaces and strengthen local connections,” said Brandt Baughman, Indiana State Parks director. “The strong interest this year underscores just how important trail development has become across the state.”

Project schedules vary, but construction could begin as early as this summer, with the first trail expected to open in October 2026.

State parks offer free annual passes for foster families

If you are hosting foster children, you and your family could get into all Indiana State Park properties across the state for free.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources offers a free Indiana state park annual entrance pass to qualified foster families. To get a pass, families need to fill out a short form. A link to the form can be found at dnr.IN.gov/state-parks/rates-and-fees/entrance-fees at the bottom of the page. Once it is completed, submit the form to PermitApplication@dnr.IN.gov.

“Indiana State Parks are a great place for families to make memories and come closer together,” said Brandt Baughman, director of Indiana State Parks. “We’re proud to offer free passes to foster families to help them come together and explore our state parks across Indiana.”

‘till next time, 

Jack

Readers can contact the author by writing to this publication or e-mail Jack at jackspauld-ing1971@outlook.com  Spaulding’s books, “The Best Of Spaulding Outdoors” and “The Coon Hunter And The Kid,” are available from Amazon.com as a paperback or Kindle download.