The boundaries of DNR wildlife areas are posted every 1/8 mile with green and white "Public Hunting Area" signs.  These areas provide all users equal access to public lands, but include few, if any, public use facilities such as rest rooms, drinking water, hiking trails and other conveniences.  Lands adjacent to public wildlife areas are privately owned and require landowner permission for access.  Please respect private property.

Directions in this booklet will refer to the city nearest the area and then direct you along federal, state and county roads.  Brown and white signs, displaying a duck or duck and fish, are posted along these roads and will direct you to the nearest parking lot.

Although hunting and trapping are the primary recreational activities available on these areas, bird watching, hiking, mushrooming and nature study are allowed, preferably when hunting and trapping seasons are closed.  Visit these areas often and enjoy the natural resources they have to offer.

Certain wildlife areas, and portions of some areas, have been posted as wildlife refuges by the DNR and are designated with an * in this booklet.  Wildlife refuge signs are yellow with black letters.  It is unlawful to hunt, pursue, kill, trap or take any wild animal, bird or game on these areas.  All firearms are prohibited within refuge areas.  Additionally, it is unlawful to trespass in any manner on wildlife refuges, where posted, between the dates of September 10 and December 25 of each year, both days inclusive.

CONTROLLED WATERFOWL HUNTING AREAS

A portion of the Odessa Wildlife Area has been designated as a controlled site hunting area.   Daily permits are required to hunt in the controlled portion of the Odessa area during the waterfowl season.  Hunters hunting the controlled area, receive their permits at the check station and are required to check their bag at the check station before leaving the area. Drawings are held approximately 90 minutes before shooting time for the purpose of selecting stake sites.

For information contact the area office: (319) 523-8319.

HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBILITY

Management goals for wildlife areas are to maximize the amount of habitat available to wildlife.  Because public use facilities are limited to parking lots and trails, access throughout these areas can be difficult.  So that physically challenged persons can enjoy these areas too, DNR regulations allow the use of certain motor vehicles on wildlife areas.  These persons must apply for and receive a permit from the DNR, issued without charge, to be able to use motorized vehicles on these areas.  The permit application must be accompanied by a doctor's certificate stating that the individual meets the criteria describing a handicapped person.  Permits are also available which allow handicapped persons to use a crossbow for deer and turkey hunting.

For more information on these permits, contact the DNR offices in Des Moines at (515) 281-5918.

LAND ACQUISITION

Because Iowa has one of the lowest percentages of public land in the nation, land acquisition is a major focus of the DNR's Wildlife Bureau.  This acquisition program provides for the protection of unique habitats, wildlife production and outdoor recreation.  Various sources of funding are utilized, including revenues from the sale of state habitat stamps, waterfowl stamps and hunting licenses.  Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) funding has also been used to acquire unique habitats.  Property taxes are reimbursed to counties on all lands acquired with Habitat Stamp or REAP funding.

In addition to Iowa's program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has been actively involved in acquiring Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA) and wetland easements in targeted Iowa counties using Federal Migratory Bird Stamp monies.  The WPAs are owned by the USFWS and managed by the DNR through a cooperative agreement.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides property tax reimbursement to counties in which WPAs have been purchased.

Summary of annual property tax reimbursements paid to counties on acquired lands. (PDF 14k)
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WILDLIFE AREA RESTRICTIONS

Motorized Vehicles - The use of motorized vehicles is prohibited on all wildlife areas except on designated roads and parking lots.  Exception: Handicapped persons may be authorized to use certain motorized vehicles on designated areas after first obtaining a permit from the DNR.

Blinds - Blinds may be constructed on wildlife areas provided they are constructed using only the natural vegetation found on the area.  No trees or parts of trees, other than willows, may be cut for the construction of the blind and construction of a blind does not give that person proprietary right to use the blind.  Nails, spikes, pins or any other objects, metal or otherwise, may not be driven into any tree for the purpose of constructing a blind or to facilitate access to a blind or hunting location above ground.  Any sawed lumber, wire, nails, bolts, posts, pipes, metal cable or hardware of any type, cannot be used to build a blind on wildlife areas.  Portable blinds and self contained units which are readily movable are allowed, however portable blinds and decoys are prohibited between the hours of one-half hour after sunset until midnight each day.  A portable blind constructed on a boat is considered removed when the boat supporting the blind is tied up or moored at an approved access site.

Nontoxic Shot - Beginning Sept. 1, 1998, hunters will be required to use, and can possess, only nontoxic shot while hunting migratory game birds, resident game birds, game animals, or furbearers (excluding deer and wild turkey) on all federally-owned Waterfowl Production Areas and certain state-owned Wildlife Management Areas.

Dog Training - Dogs are prohibited on all wildlife areas from March 15 through July 15 each year.  Field and retriever training are allowed on designated training areas only, and require a permit from the DNR. (See Field Trials.)

Field Trials - Field trials are prohibited on wildlife areas except at designated areas and during times that do not conflict with established hunting and trapping seasons.  A permit is required for all field trials.  Applications can be obtained by contacting the DNR in Des Moines at (515)281-5918.

Trapping - Traps, stakes, flags, markers, or any other device used for trapping furbearers or to mark or otherwise claim any site for trapping furbearers, are prohibited except during the open season for trapping furbearers.

Secondary Uses - The use of horses and snowmobiles are prohibited on all wildlife areas except where designated trails have been established according to IAC 571-67. DNR area managers may limit or suspend the use of trails in the event that natural or unnatural events degrade the trail beyond acceptable limits.

CANADA GOOSE HUNTING - CLOSED AREAS

Canada goose hunting is closed in posted portions of 21 counties. Maps of closed areas may be picked up from the local conservation officer, county recorder, or at a DNR facility near the area.  Telephone numbers for conservation officers are listed in the hunting and fishing regulations and deer application booklets.  Individual closed area maps may also be ordered from the DNR by calling (515)281-5918.  Be prepared to tell the the name of the area for the map you are ordering.  Allow two weeks for delivery.