Harmonie State Park to close temporarily for deer reductions | News

Select Indiana state parks will close temporarily to allow for controlled deer reductions in the coming weeks including Harmonie State Park in Posey County.

The dates for the temporary closings are Nov. 13 and 14, and Nov. 26 and 27.

The entire list of parks affected statewide includes Chain O’Lakes, Charlestown, Fort Harrison, Harmonie, Ouabache, Prophetstown, Shades, Shakamak, Spring Mill, Tippecanoe River, Turkey Run, Versailles and Whitewater Memorial. These state parks will close to the general public the evening before each of the two efforts and reopen the morning after each two-day reduction.

Individuals familiar with the annual schedule should note that the first round is on Tuesday and Wednesday rather than the traditional Monday-Tuesday because Nov. 12 is a state holiday. The traditional Monday-Tuesday schedule returns for the second round on Nov. 26 and 27.

Only individuals and those listed on their applications for the reductions may participate at Chain O’Lakes, Charlestown, Harmonie, Ouabache, Prophetstown, Shades, Shakamak, Tippecanoe River, Versailles and Whitewater Memorial. There will be no standby drawings at those parks.

DNR biologists evaluate which parks require a reduction each year based on habitat recovery and previous harvest rates at each park. The state parks are home to more than 32 state-endangered plants and numerous significant natural communities. The reductions help control browsing by deer to a level that helps maintain habitat throughout the state parks for all plants and animals.