Jasper-Pulaski FWA advisories
- The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has adjusted services, events and operations to protect Hoosiers and prevent further spread of COVID-19. Please visit on.IN.gov/dnrcovid19 for a listing of what is open, closed, restricted and canceled.
- Properties are operating hunt and trap draws differently in this year due to COVID-19. View the property procedures.
- All visitors must obtain a one-day access permit before entering the field, regardless of their activity. Visitors must keep their one-day access permit on them while visiting and must complete and return their permit to a self-service booth, drop-box, or the office before leaving.
- Description
Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area is dedicated to providing quality hunting and fishing opportunities while maintaining 8,142 acres of wetland, upland and woodland game habitat. The property's suitable habitat provides an ideal stopover for migratory birds. More than 10,000 sandhill cranes stop during fall migration.
Acquisition of the land for Jasper-Pulaski began in 1929. During the 1930s, Jasper-Pulaski was designated as a game farm and game preserve. Hunting began at the property in 1958, and in 1965, the area was designated as a fish and game area. Then in 1972 the name was changed to fish and wildlife area.
All hunters are required to register at the check station or self-service check station, depending on the time of year. Hunters need to sign in and pick up a one-day hunting permit to be in the field. This permit card must be turned in at the completion of each day’s hunt.
- Activities
Fishing
- Jasper-Pulaski provides fishing areas along the Ryan Ditch, two gravel pits with boat ramps and several one-acre ponds.
- Some areas are restricted or closed during waterfowl seasons.
- Primary species include catfish, bluegill and largemouth bass.
- Both gravel pits have gravel boat ramps. A maximum 12-volt electric motor applies.
- Shoreline fishing is available along the Ryan Ditch (see map).
- There is a 14-inch minimum size limit for largemouth bass and 10-inch minimum for channel catfish. All other size and bag limits apply. See current fishing regulations for details.
Hunting
- Deer, quail, rabbit, squirrel, snipe, dove, sora rails, woodcock, waterfowl and wild turkey are common.
- Registration required. All hunting seasons and bag limits apply. Special hunts include dove and waterfowl hunts by drawing. Pre-registration is required for wild turkey hunting.
- See current hunting regulations for details.
- Area 12 is designated for dog training.
- Deer tree stands and ground blinds may be used and left unattended from noon, Sept. 15 through Jan. 10. No unattended tree stands are permitted in Area 16 (waterfowl resting area). Tree stands and ground blinds must be legibly marked in English with either the owner's DNR customer identification number or the owner’s name, address and telephone number. A fastener used in conjunction with a tree stand and a tree or pole climber that penetrates a tree more than ½ inch is prohibited (anything that penetrates a tree more than a ½ inch is prohibited, i.e. screw-in steps and screw-in bow and gun hangers).
- Waterfowl drawings are 4:30 a.m. Central time, 5:30 a.m. Eastern time.
- Dove drawings are 11 a.m. Central time, noon Eastern time.
Trapping
- Wetland trapping is available through drawing only. The drawing is held at the property office the first Saturday in October at 10 a.m. Central Time (11 .a.m Eastern Time) to allocate trapping opportunities.
Volunteer Opportunities
- Need a reason to get outside and move? You can volunteer alone or in small groups at this property. Some activities include trash pick-up, basic gardening, painting, and more. Call the property office for details.
Wildlife Watching
- The 8,142 acres of Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area offer a unique opportunity to observe large numbers of sandhill cranes.
- An observation tower provides great viewing points to see thousands of sandhill cranes in fall migration.
- Sandhill cranes are best seen near sunrise and sunset in October, November, December, February, and March.
- Mushrooms, berries and nuts may be gathered, however a written permit is required to remove plants, animals, rocks and fossils.
- A firearm range and a separate archery range are both available to the public free of charge.
- Daily self-service check-in is required at the firearm range.
- Shooting benches are provided, but are not undercover.
- Paper targets only, properly posted on provided target bases. Users must provide paper targets, cardboard (minimum 24 inches wide), and fasteners for provided target holders.
- The firearm range provides open-sky shooting stations at 10, 15, 25, 50, 100, and 200 yards, as well as an attached shotgun range at the east end. The 10 and 15 yard ranges are for handguns only.
- The shotgun range has a designated area for clay target shooting. Users must provide clay targets and throwers.
- The archery range provides shooting stations at 10, 20, 30, and 40 yards.
- See the Fish & Wildlife Area Shooting Ranges webpage for hours.
- Jasper-Pulaski State Nursery, managed by the Division of Forestry, (219) 843-4827.
- Tefft Savanna Nature and Coastal Plain Preserves, located at Jasper-Pulaski.
- The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
Camping and Swimming Prohibited
Please Read and Obey All Signs
- Rules
A record of Fish & Wildlife Area property rules can be found on the Indiana Fish & Wildlife Area Rules webpage. Property specific rules can be found below, if applicable. Contact the property directly for specific questions.
Permits
In addition to a hunting and/or fishing license, the following permits are required:
- Permission to hunt during the day must be obtained before entering the field. One-day hunting permit cards must be in the possession of the hunter at all times. Bagged game must be checked in through the check-in station or recorded through established self-service procedures outlined at the check-in station. Self-service drop boxes are located throughout the property for your convenience.
- No shooting of woodchuck (groundhogs) is allowed.
- Night and predator hunting is only permitted by daily permit cards from the self-serve check station.
- Dog training is available in Area 12. Check in is at self-serve check station.
- Maps
