By the early 1900's, unrestricted market hunting and drastic reductions in habitat had eliminated wild turkeys in Iowa. For many years, the thunderous gobbles of the wild turkey were absent from Iowa's woodlands and forests.

This silence was broken in 1966 when the Iowa Department of Natural Resources initiated a program to return the wild turkey to Iowa. Wild turkeys were released at several sites across the state, with the first release occurring in Lee County, Iowa. Over the past 30 years, the restoration of Iowa's wild turkey population has resulted from natural expansion from the early release sites.

Applying for a Turkey Hunting License

• Residents purchase turkey hunting licenses through license vendors, purchase online or through the telephone ordering system (1-800-367-1188).
  
  
• Nonresidents can apply online or by telephone
  (1-800-367-1188), as explained in the application information below that should be reviewed before applying for a permit. License applications accepted Dec 15 through Jan 25, 2009.
  • 2009 Non-Resident Turkey Application Status
  
  
  
• Information for making an application including license cost, seasons, zones, quotas, phone numbers can be obtained online:
  
  
  • Hunting License Sales/Application Deadlines
  • Nonresident Spring Turkey Hunting Zones,*pdf
  • Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Regulations
  • Measuring Spurs and Beards
  • Turkey Production Survey
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Harvest and Population Status
  
  
  
• NOTE: INTERNET SALES OF DEER AND TURKEY LICENSES WILL BE SUSPENDED 10 DAYS PRIOR TO THE OPENING OF THE RESPECTIVE SEASON (not including bow season).

	*.pdf
Wild Turkey Restoration
Wild Turkey Information, Brochure
Turkey Depredation - Turkeys and Crops