Iowa Turkey Season and Hunting Information and Regulations

*All information listed below is disclosed based on research we have conducted. We do our best to ensure that all information is up to date and accurate. However, rules and regulations are changing every day. Please make sure to verify your state-specific regulations prior to your hunt.

Iowa offers some of the best hunting in the Midwest. With a variety of game animals to hunt, including turkey, deer, and a variety of smaller game to hunt, there’s something for everyone. And with a variety of ways to purchase permits and licenses, for residents as well as visiting nonresidents, it’s easy to get started.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has a ton of resources for hunters. Here, you can find information on successful hunting programs, report your harvests and more. So whether you’re a seasoned hunter or just getting started, be sure to check out what Iowa has to offer.

The state of Iowa also has a Habitat and Access Program (IHAP) to which incentivizes private land being opened to visiting hunters. This program gives financial and technical assistance to landowners who agree to allow public hunting on their property. Public hunting is possible on properties participating in IHAP from September 1 through May 31 each year. The program started in 2015 and is a huge success.

In Iowa, you can also use the Hunting Atlas, which is a helpful tool for planning hunts and finding out what’s available in terms of public hunting grounds. The atlas offers information on more than 600,000 acres of hunting land open to the public, as well as specific info on the habitats of different animals.

Iowa Deer Seasons

Archery (Early Split)	1-Oct	2-Dec
Archery (Late Split)	19-Dec	10-Jan
Muzzleloader (Residents)	15-Oct	23-Oct
Muzzleloader (Nonresidents)	29-Oct	6-Nov
Shotgun (Antlerless)	11-Nov	21-Nov
Shotgun (Buck)	22-Nov	10-Dec
Alternative Methods (Residents)	17-Dec	2-Jan
Alternative Methods (Nonresidents)	24-Dec	1-Jan

*Iowa is a state with a rich hunting history and which is known to hosting some great harvests. With that being said, always check the Iowa Department of Natural Resources site for specifics before planning your hunt.

Iowa is known for being home to record breaking antlered deer and with over 300,000 acres of land hunters have plenty of opportunity to get the kill. Daily bag limit is one deer per license.

Doe Tags

During the January Antlerless Only Season each hunter will receive two antlerless deer tags.

Iowa Turkey Season

Youth Season (Residents)	Apr 7 – Apr 9
Season 1	Apr 10 – Apr 13
Season 2	Apr 14 – Apr 18
Season 3	Apr 19 – Apr 25
Season 4	Apr 26 – May 14
Resident Archery-Only	Apr 10 – May 14

The non-resident hunting fees are really quite high in Iowa. But, they make up for it in the quality and quantity of game species across the state. Iowa has some of the best turkey hunting in the nation. Daily bag and season possession limit are one bearded or male wild turkey for each valid license issued to the hunter.

Iowa Small Game and Upland Hunting Seasons

Rooster Pheasant (Youth)	Oct. 22 – Oct. 23
Rooster Pheasant	Oct. 29 – Jan. 10
Bobwhite Quail	Oct. 29 – Jan. 31
Gray Partridge	Oct. 8 – Jan. 31
Ruffed Grouse	Oct. 1 – Jan. 31
Rabbit (Cottontail)	Sep. 3 – Feb. 28
Squirrel (Fox and Gray)	Sept 3 – Jan 31
Groundhog	Open Season
Crow	Oct. 15 – Nov. 30, Jan. 14 – Mar. 31
Pigeon	Open Season
Coyote	Open Season

Iowa Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons

North Zone Youth Waterfowl	Sep. 24 – Sep. 25
Central Zone Youth Waterfowl	Oct. 1 – Oct. 2
South Zone Youth Waterfowl	Oct. 8 – Oct. 9
North Zone Ducks, Mergansers & Coots	Oct. 1 – Oct. 7, Oct. 15 – Dec. 6
Central Zone Ducks, Mergansers & Coots	Oct. 8 – Oct. 14, Oct. 22 – Dec. 13
South Zone Ducks, Mergansers & Coots	Oct. 15 – Oct. 21, Oct. 29 – Dec. 20
North Zone Dark Geese & Light Geese	Sep. 24 – Oct. 9, Oct. 15 – Dec. 6, Dec. 10 – Jan. 7
Central Zone Dark Geese & Light Geese	Oct. 1 – Oct. 16, Oct. 22 – Dec. 13, Dec. 17 – Jan. 14
South Zone Dark Geese & Light Geese	Oct. 8 – Oct. 23, Oct. 29 – Dec. 20, Dec. 24 – Jan. 21
Special September Teal	Sep. 1 – Sep. 16
Doves	Sep. 1 – Nov. 29
Snipe	Sep. 3 – Nov. 30
Rail	Sep. 3 – Nov. 12
Woodcock	Oct. 1 – Nov. 14

Iowa Bear Hunting Seasons

Although it is not recommended unless Black Bear are exhibiting a direct threat to a person or persons, it is technically legal to harvest a Black Bear by any method or means within the state of Iowa.

Iowa has been without a resident bear population for nearly 100 years and does not issue bear tags or hunting licenses.

Iowa Crossbow Regulations

Iowa is crossbow friendly as long as you are using a regular hunting crossbow, and not a pistol crossbow.

It is illegal to harvest a turkey or a deer with a crossbow that is designed to be fired with only one hand or with a pistol grip.
Broadheads must be designed with at least 3 blades.
There is not currently a minimum draw weight or broadhead diameter listed under the regulations.

Iowa Hunting License

Iowa residents ages 16 or older that wish to hunt must have a resident hunting license. A resident lifetime hunting license is only $61.50. Nonresidents need to purchase a license at $131.00 as well as pay the nonresident habitat fee of $15.00.

A disabled person may obtain a crossbow hunting permit to harvest turkey and/or deer.

If you want to check out the next state on our list, click here to see Kansas.

Or, you can check out the last state on our list, Indiana.