Hunting

CLICK for FEES, SEASONS and HUNTER ED COURSES

Marsh Minute: Each week during hunting season the park manager updates the status of the park. To comment on these posts please email info@lakecountyparks.com If you have any questions about park programs please call 219-552-0033. See you at the park. Chris Orange, GKM property manager. Click here for 2012 Marsh Minute postings

Click here for Grand Kankakee Marsh Hunting Season Summary 2012

HUNTER'S EDUCATION SAFETY COURSES

Cedar Creek Family Golf Center
March 15 & 16, 2013
August 16 & 17, 2013
September 13 & 14, 2013

Friday 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Must attend both sessions and pass a written test)
Pre-registration required. Classes fill quickly, register early. DNR is now requiring ONLINE registration ONLY. Click the following link to register for the above listed classes presented at the Lake County Park or to find other classes in the area www.in.gov/dnr/lawenfor/4812.htm then click View upcoming events button in top right or Click here for direct link to list of classroom Hunter Education Courses

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources requires all hunters born after 1986 to take this class. All hunters, regardless of age, need this class if they wish to hunt out of state or participate in state-sponsored hunts. Adults are encouraged to take the class with their young hunters to be able to reinforce what is taught. Participants will learn about firearms safety, survival, first-aid, wildlife identification and management, hunter responsibility and ethics. It is required that participants take all 10 hours of the class and pass a written exam. Those who pass the exam will receive a certified hunter's education card that is good for life. Children 12 and younger are required to have an adult present throughout the class.

This class is an Indiana Department of Natural Resources program. For information on other Hunter's Education dates or other DNR educational programs, contact the DNR at 219-879-5710, or visit them at www.in.gov/dnr/

For information about hunting seasons see the Indiana DNR web site at http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3569.htm

Hunting Information

Fees

Waterfowl	$7 per hunter per day
Deer	$15 per license type per season
Dove	$7 per hunter per day

Hunting dates and times follow state regulations. GKM is closed Christmas Day and New Years Day. Fees subject to change without notice

2012 Hunting Season

Grand Kankakee Marsh County Park

For questions not answered here, please contact park staff at 219-552-0033.

In addition to Grand Kankakee Marsh rules and regulation, refer to and comply with all regulations of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and USFWS. See Indiana DNR at www.in.gov/dnr. For information about hunting seasons see the Indiana DNR web site at http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3569.htm

Violation of any GKM hunting regulation may result in the loss of hunting privileges at GKM for the season.

Hunting dates and times follow state regulations.

GKM does not honor urban hunting seasons or licenses.

GKM does not offer a special anterless firearms season.

GKM is closed Christmas Day and New Years Day.

All drawings will be held at the cabin check-in station.

Dove

Draw Time: Noon. Hunters may draw as individuals, a party of two or a party of three
Hunt Hours: 1 to 5 p.m.
2012 Hunting Dates: September 1 to September 10, 2012
Non toxic shot is required
A valid Indiana Hunting License, HIP number, and Game Bird Habitat Stamp are all required to hunt doves at GKM
Closing date subject to change according to state regulations

Deer

Draw Time:	5 a.m.
Hunt hours:	½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset
$15 per license type per season
2012 Hunting Dates:
Youth Hunt (no charge)	Sept. 29 and 30, 2012
Archery	Oct. 1, 2012 - Jan 6, 2013
Firearms	Nov. 17-Dec 2, 2012
Muzzleloader	Dec. 8-Dec. 23, 2012

Waterfowl

Draw Time:	4:30 a.m.
Hunt hours:	7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Duck:	$7 per hunter per day
Duck 2012 Hunting Dates: TBA
Youth Hunt	Oct. 13 & Oct 14, 2012
Ducks, Coots, and Mergansers	Oct 20-Dec 9, 2012 and Dec 22-30, 2012
Goose:	$7 per hunter per day
Goose 2012 Season Dates: TBA
Canada Goose Canada geese daily bag limit (3)	Oct 20-Nov 11, 2012; Nov 22-Jan 6, 2013; and Jan 19-23, 2013

GKM Waterfowl Hunting Regulations

Draw for blinds will be at 4:30 a.m. at the check in cabin each day of the posted season.
You must have a party of 3 or 4 licensed hunters to draw
The fee is $7 per person per day.
No one will enter the marsh before 6 a.m. each day. Shooting time is 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hunters are required to sign a liability release (once per season) prior to entering the marsh.
Hunters will leave their hunting licenses at the check in cabin.
Non-toxic shot is required.
A shell limit of 15 shells per day is in effect.
Allow up to 4 people per blind.
Refill vacated blinds on a first come, first served basis, until noon
Hunters may shoot from blinds or designated spaces only.
Areas designated as "Refuge" are non-violate. Trespassing by either hunters or dogs is strictly not allowed.
Hunters must check in all game harvested.
No alcoholic beverages are permitted in any hunting areas or in at the check in cabin.
Violation of any GKM hunting regulations may result in the loss of hunting privileges at the GKM for the season. Beyond the GKM regulations, hunters must understand and comply with those set by the Indiana DNR and the USFWS.

Hunter's Education Teaching Team awarded Team of the Year

The Lake County Parks staff and volunteers were chosen as Indiana DNR's 2008 Hunters' Education Teaching Team of the year for District 10. Team members include: staff Jennifer Nelson, Bob Studebaker and Chris Orange; volunteers John Blink, Doug Simpson and Steve Thompson. Staff and volunteers were assisted by Conservation Officers Terri Arlandson, Nicole Baumann and Tim Janowski.

The Lake County Parks Team also won this award in 2004. The team in 2004 included staff members Jennifer Nelson, Cathy Stoltenerg , Marc Robertson and Bob Studebaker; volunteers Dave Bodnar and Scott Kelly, and Conservation Officer Tim Janowski.

Conservation Officer, 1st Sgt. Torcell said, "Lake County Park's team was chosen because of their continued dedication to Hunter's Safety Education. For more than 15 years the team has been hosting three or four classes a year and certifying more than one hundred youth and adults annually. They are dedicated to teaching safety, identification and ethics to new hunters."

2012 MARSH MINUTE POSTINGS

Marsh Minute #1 September 5, 2012
Dove Season Update: Dove season at the park runs September 1, 2012- September 10, 2012. So far this season 60 hunters have harvested a total of 338 doves. We are currently hunting 3 fields. Draw time is at noon and hunting hours are 1-5 pm.
Deer Season Update: Deer season at the park will open with the youth deer hunt on September 29 and 30, 2012. This hunt will be free of charge for any youth that wishes to hunt. Draw time will be 5:00 am. All equipment will be allowed except rifles and handguns. Youth will be allowed to harvest antlered or antlerless deer.
Grand Kankakee Marsh regular deer season will open on Oct. 1, 2012 with the start of the archery season. GKM will not be honoring urban deer tags or urban season hunting dates.

Marsh Minute #2 September 19, 2012
2012 GKM Dove Season: Dove season at the park ran from September 1 -10, 2012. During the season 70 hunters harvested a total of 414 birds. Hunters averaged almost 6 birds per outings.
2012 GKM Deer Season: Deer season begins on September 29 and 30, 2012 with the youth deer hunt. Draw time is 5:00 am. All youths must be accompanied by a licensed adult. This hunt will be free of charge.
2012 GKM Waterfowl Season: The GKM waterfowl season begins on Oct 13 and 14, 2012 with the youth waterfowl hunt. Draw time will be 4:30 am. Youths must be accompanied by a licensed adult. This hunt will be free of charge.
Kankakee Hunter Retriever Club is hosting a youth waterfowl day on Oct. 6, 2012 at the park. They will offer workshops on duck calling, firearms safety, decoy placement, and dog training. Preregistration is required, and participation is limited to 25 youths. Lunch will be provided. Recommended ages are 8-16. If you are interested in attending please email kankakeeriverhrc@yahoo.com
Grand Kankakee Marsh closes to the non-hunting public on September 29, 2012. The park will remain closed until January 6, 2013. The boat launch remains open year round.

Marsh Minute #3 October 2, 2012
GKM Deer Season: Deer season at the park began with the youth season on Sept. 29 and 30, 2012. During the youth season a total of 19 youths harvested 2 deer. Deer archery season began on October 1, 2012. So far this season 2 deer have been harvested. Draw time is 5:00 am.
GKM Waterfowl Season: The waterfowl season begins on Oct 13 and 14, 2012 with the youth hunt. Draw time is 4:30 am and the youth hunt is free of charge.
The trails in the park are now closed for hunting season. The boat launch remains open year round.

Marsh Minute #4 October 9, 2012
GKM Deer Season: Deer archery season began on October 1, 2012. So far this season 5 deer have been harvested. Draw time is 5:00 am.
GKM Waterfowl Season: The waterfowl season begins on Oct 13 and 14, 2012 with the youth hunt. Draw time is 4:30 a.m. and this hunt is free of charge. For the youth hunt we will be hunting between 5-8 spots in the first unit at the park. Getting water to the hunting areas has been difficult this year due to low river levels.
The trails in the park are now closed for hunting season. The boat launch remains open year round.

Marsh Minute #5 October 17, 2012
GKM Deer Season: Deer archery season began on October 1, 2012. So far this season 7 deer have been harvested. Draw time is 5:00 am.
GKM Waterfowl Season: The waterfowl season began on Oct 13 and 14, 2012 with the youth hunt. Hunters hunted spots 1-5 and 8. Hunters harvested a total of 50 birds. Species harvested included: 3 mallards, 31 wood ducks, 14 teal, 1 pintail, and 1 shoveler.
The Regular season opens on October 20, 2012. We will be hunting spots 1-5, 7, 8, and 10 until we are able to get water the blinds in the back. Low river levels and dry conditions have made pumping extremely difficult this year. Draw time is 4:30 am.
The trails in the park are now closed for hunting season. The boat launch remains open year round.

Marsh Minute #6 October 24, 2012
GKM Deer Season: Deer archery season began on October 1, 2012. So far this season 8 deer have been harvested. Draw time is 5:00 a.m.
GKM Waterfowl Season: So far this waterfowl season 137 hunters have harvested 148 birds. Since the opening of the regular waterfowl season 111 hunters have harvested 98 birds. Species of birds harvested include 12 mallards, 105 wood ducks, 26 teal, 1 pintail, 2 shovelers, 1 gadwall, and 1 goose.
Pumping conditions and river levels have improved over the past week. For the next week we will be hunting spots 1-5, 7, 8, and 10.
The trails in the park are now closed for hunting season. The boat launch remains open year round.

Marsh Minute #7 October 31, 2012
GKM Deer Season: Deer archery season began on October 1, 2012. So far this season 9 deer have been harvested. Draw time is 5:00 am. Hunters are beginning to see more deer activity as the rut approaches.
GKM Waterfowl Season: So far this waterfowl season 281 hunters have harvested 246 birds. In the past week 144 hunters have harvested 96 birds. Species of birds harvested include 32 mallards, 35 wood ducks, 10 teal, 1 wigeon, 3 shovelers, 10 gadwall, 3 geese, and 2 other birds. We are currently hunting spots 1-5, 7, 8, and 10. New spots will be opened for the weekend.
The trails in the park are now closed for hunting season. The boat launch remains open year round.

Marsh Minute #8 November 7, 2012
GKM Deer Season: Deer archery season began on October 1, 2012. So far this season 11 deer have been harvested. Draw time is 5:00 am. Hunters are beginning to see more deer activity as the rut approaches.
GKM Waterfowl Season: So far this waterfowl season 421 hunters have harvested 265 birds. In the past week 140 hunters have harvested 21 birds. Species of birds harvested in the past week include 6 mallards, 11 wood ducks, 1 gadwall, and 3 geese. We are currently hunting spots 1-5, 7, 8, and 10-12.
The trails in the park are now closed for hunting season. The boat launch remains open year round.

Marsh Minute #9: November 14, 2012
GKM Deer Season: So far this season 13 deer have been harvested. Deer firearms season opens on November 17, 2012. Grand Kankakee Marsh does not honor bonus antlerless permits. This means that firearms hunters are only allowed to harvest an antlered deer with a firearms license. Rifles and handguns are also prohibited during the firearms season. Archery season stays open during the firearms season. Draw time is 5:00 am.
GKM Waterfowl Season: So far this waterfowl season 526 hunters have harvested 302 birds. In the past week, 105 hunters have harvested 37 birds. Species of birds harvested in the past week include 26 mallards, 3 wood ducks, 1 black duck, 1 gadwall, 3 pintails and 3 shovelers.

We are currently hunting spots 1-5, 7, 8, and 10-12. Spots 17-19, 13, and 14 will be opening soon. Call 219-552-0033 for specifics on the hunting schedules. We have good water in all of hunting areas and refuges.

Marsh Minute #10 November 21, 2012
GKM Deer Season: So far this season 18 deer have been harvested. Deer firearms season opens on November 17, 2012. Grand Kankakee Marsh does not honor bonus antlerless permits. This means that firearms hunters are only allowed to harvest an antlered deer with a firearms license. Rifles and handguns are also prohibited during the firearms season. Archery season stays open during the firearms season. Draw time is 5:00 am.
GKM Waterfowl Season: So far this waterfowl season 646 hunters have harvested 326 birds. In the past week 120 hunters have harvested 29 birds. Species of birds harvested in the past week include 11 mallards, 16 wood ducks, 1 teal, and 1 shoveler.

We are currently hunting spots 1-5, 7, 8, 10-14 and 17-19. Call for specifics on the hunting schedules.
We have good water in all of hunting areas and refuges.

Marsh Minute #11 November 28, 2012
GKM Deer Season: So far this season 20 deer have been harvested. Deer firearms season closes on December 2, 2012. So far this season 15 deer have been harvested with archery equipment, 3 with firearm, and 2 with muzzleloader. 11 bucks and 9 does have been harvested. Muzzleloader season opens on December 8, 2012
GKM Waterfowl Season: So far this waterfowl season 813 hunters have harvested 376 birds. In the past week 167 hunters have harvested 45 birds. Species of birds harvested in the past week include 23 mallards, 9 wood ducks, 5 teal, 3 shovelers, 4 geese, and 1 black duck.
We are currently hunting spots 1-5, 7, 8, 10-14. And 17-19. Call for specifics on the hunting schedules.
We have good water in all of hunting areas and refuges.

Marsh Minute #12 December 5, 2012
GKM Deer Season: So far this season 21 deer have been harvested. Deer muzzleloader season opens on December 8, 2012. Hunter orange is required for all deer hunters during the muzzleloader season. Daily draw is 5:00am.
GKM Waterfowl Season: So far this waterfowl season 873 hunters have harvested 394 birds. In the past week 60 hunters have harvested 17 birds. Species of birds harvested in the past week include 14 mallards, 2 wood ducks, and 1 black duck.
Duck season closes on December 9, 2012 and reopens on December 22, 2012-December 30, 2012. Goose season remains open until January 6, 2013.
We are currently hunting spots 1-5, 7, 8, 10-14, and 17-19. Call for specifics on the hunting schedules.
We have good water in all of hunting areas and refuges.

Marsh Minute #13 December 12, 2012
GKM Deer Season: So far this season 22 deer have been harvested. Deer muzzleloader season closes on December 23, 2012. Hunter orange is required for all deer hunters during the muzzleloader season. Daily draw is 5:00am.
GKM Waterfowl Season: So far this waterfowl season 923 hunters have harvested 412 birds. In the past week 55 hunters have harvested 24 birds. Species of birds harvested in the past week include 16 mallards, 2 shovelers, 2 teal, 1 pintail and 3 black ducks.
Duck season closes on December 9, 2012 and reopens on December 22, 2012 - December 30, 2012. Goose season remains open until January 6, 2013. We are currently hunting spots 1-5, 7, 8, 10-14 and 17-19. Call for specifics on the hunting schedules. We have good water in all of hunting areas and refuges.

Marsh Minute #14 December 20, 2012
GKM Deer Season: So far this season 23 deer have been harvested. Deer muzzleloader season closes on December 23, 2012. Deer archery season at the park runs until January 6, 2013.
Grand Kankakee Marsh will not be participating in the special antlerless firearms season. We will also not be participating in the extended urban deer archery season. Hunter orange is required for all deer hunters during the muzzleloader season. Daily draw is 5:00am.
GKM Waterfowl Season:
So far this waterfowl season 923 hunters have harvested 412 birds.
Duck season reopens on December 22, 2012. Cold temperatures may begin forming ice over the weekend. Please call for updated hunting conditions. We are currently hunting spots 1-5, 7, 8, 10-14 and 17-19. Call for specifics on the hunting schedules. We have good water in all of hunting areas and refuges.

Marsh Minute #15 January 2, 2013
GKM Deer Season: So far this season 25 deer have been harvested. Deer archery season at the park runs until January 6, 2013. Grand Kankakee Marsh will not be participating in the special antlerless firearms season. We will also not be participating in the extended urban deer archery season.
Hunter orange is required for all deer hunters during the late archery season. Daily draw is 5:00am.

All deer Hunters need to have stands removed from the park by February 1, 2013. If you need a gate open after the close of the season park staff will be available during regular working hours which are Monday-Friday 7am – 3pm and weekends 7am -9am. Please call if you need gates unlocked during any other hours.

GKM Waterfowl Season: So far this waterfowl season 1021 hunters have harvested 432 birds. During the waterfowl season hunters harvested 151 mallards, 5 black ducks, 184 wood ducks, 43 teal, 6 pintail, 1 wigeon, 14 gadwall, 14 shovelor, 11 geese, and 3 other.

Goose season runs until January 6, 2013 then reopens January 19- 23, 2013. January 19-23, 2013 Goose draw will be held at 5:00 am. If no hunters are present by 7:00 am the cabin will close for the remainder of the day. Blinds 1, 3, 10, 11, 12, and 20 will be available for goose hunting. We have currently ceased pumping and drawing water back in many of our hunting areas.

Special Statement: Trails in the park reopen to the public after the close of the hunting season

For reservations and more information about the Lake County Parks Call 219-769-PARK
Mon-Fri 8:30am to 4:30pm Central Time (Chicago Time)

Lake County Parks and Recreation Department Corporate Office
8411 East Lincoln Highway, Crown Point, Indiana 46307
Just west of Deep River WaterparK 4.5 miles east of I-65 on Route 30