Deer hunts planned at 17 state parks

CHESTERTON, Ind. (AP) - No deer hunting will be allowed at Indiana Dunes State Park this year even as hunts are planned at 17 other parks across the state.

State parks natural resources chief Mike Mycroft says hunters culled enough deer from the park along Lake Michigan last year to make a 2009 hunt unnecessary.

The Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for the deer hunts planned for Nov. 16-17 and Nov. 30-Dec. 1.

Parks where firearm hunts will be held are Chain O'Lakes, Charlestown, Harmonie, Lincoln, Ouabache, Pokagon, Potato Creek, Prophetstown, Shades, Shakamak, Spring Mill, Tippecanoe River, Turkey Run, Versailles and Whitewater Memorial. Archery hunts are set for Fort Harrison and Clifty Falls parks.

Hunters killed 1,468 deer last year during hunts at state parks.