Iowa hunting regulations

Iowa Hunting Regulations

Iowa is a deer and turkey hunting state with public and private land opportunities. There is also great pheasant hunting, quail, waterfowl and plenty of small game. The rich agriculture lands produce some monster bucks every year. There are state run Wildlife Management Areas for public use along with other local lands. You can view an interactive access map here – https://programs.iowadnr.gov/maps/huntingatlas/default.html.

Iowa Hunting License Cost

Resident:

  • 16+ Hunting – $19
  • Habitat Fee – $13
  • Hunting and Habitat Fee Combo – $30
  • 3-year hunting with habitat fee – $86
  • Migratory game bird fee – $10
  • Federal Duck Stamp – $25
  • Apprentice – $30
  • Fur-harvester 16+ – $22.50
  • Hunting, fishing and habitat combo – $47
  • Hunting preserve – $7
  • Lifetime hunting 65+ – $52.50
  • General deer license – $28.50
  • Antlerless only, 1st – $28.50
  • Antlerless 2nd – $13.00
  • Landowner General Deer – $2
  • Landowner antlerless only – $2
  • Wild turkey – $24.50

Non-resident:

  • Adult hunting – $112
  • Under 18 hunting – $32
  • Habitat fee – $13
  • Hunting and Habitat Fee – $123
  • Migratory Bird Fee – $10
  • Federal Duck Stamp – $25
  • Apprentice – $123

Iowa Hunting Season Dates

Small Game and Upland:

  • Pheasant roosters – Oct 28 – Jan 10, 3 daily, 12 in possession
  • Bobwhite quail – Oct 28 – Jan 31, 8 daily, 16 in possession
  • Gray partridge – Oct 14 – Jan 31, 8 daily, 16 in possession
  • Ruffed grouse – Oct 7 – Jan 31, 3 daily, 6 in possession
  • Cottontail – Sept 2 – Feb 28, 10 daily, 20 in possession
  • Squirrel – Sept 2 – Jan 31, 6 daily, 12 in possession

Spring Turkey:

  • Season 1 – April 16-19
  • Season 2 – April 20-24
  • Season 3 – April 25 – May 1
  • Season 4 – May 2-20
  • Resident archery only – April 16 – May 20

Deer:

  • Youth – Sept 16 – Oct 1
  • Archery Early Split – Oct 1 – Dec 1
  • Archery Late Split – Dec 18 – Jan 10
  • Early Muzzleloader – Oct 14-22
  • Late Muzzleloader – Dec 18 – Jan 10
  • Shotgun season 1 – Dec 2-6
  • Shotgun season 2 – Dec 9-17

Deer are divided in management zones. Each zone has a different antlerless quota and some are antlered counties only for resident hunters. The state also has migratory bird seasons broken down by species. For the complete list of dates in 2018, refer to the Iowa hunting regulations pdf here – file:///home/chronos/u-cb93a838469ad908c53ceb335c0099cf62e82843/Downloads/huntingregs.pdf.

There are outfitters and leases throughout the state for access to managed land and deer that see less hunting pressure. This is a great way to really see bigger bucks from permanent blind and stand locations. Turkey hunters have several season options to spread out pressure and youth hunters have their own season dates as well.

Return to Hunting Regulations in 50 States.