ANGOLA, Ind. (WLKI)- Pokagon State Park and nearby Trine State Recreation Area will close to the public twice this fall for controlled deer hunts, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources announced.
Both properties will close Sunday evening, Nov. 15, ahead of the first hunt on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 16 and 17. They will reopen Wednesday morning, Nov. 18.
The second closure begins Sunday evening, Nov. 29. The hunt will take place Monday, Nov. 30, and Tuesday, Dec. 1. Both properties will reopen Wednesday morning, Dec. 2.
Pokagon and Trine are among 25 Indiana State Parks properties participating in the hunts. Other northeast Indiana sites on the schedule include Chain O'Lakes, Ouabache and Tippecanoe River state parks. Properties outside the hunt schedule will operate during their regular hours, the DNR said.
Anthony Sipes, natural resources manager for Indiana State Parks, said the hunts help manage deer populations and limit their impact on habitat for native plants and wildlife. The state reviews habitat recovery and previous harvest rates at each property when deciding where to hold hunts.
Participation is limited to hunters selected through the state's drawing. The DNR expects to release a report on the 2026 hunts in spring 2027. Information and applications for next year's hunts will be available next summer.