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Here's Which Preserves Are Closed For Deer Management...

October 30, 2025 Hits: 133

Each November, NICHES works with volunteer hunting crews to carefully manage deer populations at some of its preserves.

The following properties will be closed to the public November 1 - 30, 2025 for this year's deer management program:

Bachner Nature Preserve
Beineke Memorial Forest
Berkshire-Tarnowski & Whistler Woods
Crow's Grove
Fall Creek Gorge
Farris Estate
Ferguson Preserve
Fisher Oak Savanna
Frogs' Glory
Gish
Granville Sand Barrens & Roy Whistler Wildlife Area
Hewitt Estate
Holley Savanna
Honey Branch Bluff
Howell Woods
Kickapoo Cliffs
Kohnke's Little Pine
Laura Hare Bend of the Wabash (East & West)
McAllister Woods
Mussel Shoals
Parker's Hickory Grove Farm
Parker's Indian Creek Basin
Pecan Basin
Potawatomi Trail
Rhus Radicans
Shawnee Bottoms
Sixbey
Snyder-Marshall Woods
Spring Creek Sanctuary
Swanson's Bluff
The Ranch/Shepherd Swamp
Wabash Bottoms
Walnut Fork
Weiler-Leopold/Black Rock Barrens
Whistler-Hare Woods
Wright's Rock Creek (Litzenberger Annex)

The NICHES hunting crew is comprised of volunteers and neighbors of the properties we protect. They play an instrumental role in our mission of protecting and preserving our local ecosystems. In addition to hunting, these volunteers help NICHES year-round with other stewardship tasks.

According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, deer overpopulation is still an issue for our region. Because humans have eliminated their natural predators, the overpopulation of deer has drastic effects on native plant communities. "In many cases, management actions are necessary to mitigate damage and prevent future damage from occurring." Click here to read more from the Indiana DNR >>

If you have any questions about the deer management program, please contact NICHES Stewardship Manager Justin Harmeson at justin@nicheslandtrust.org.