Hunting/Fishing Licenses
Learn to Hunt
Report Your Harvest
Current Fishing Report
Taking Kids Fishing
Iowa's natural resources plates include the state bird and flower, pheasant, eagle, buck and a Brook trout. Support conservation in Iowa by buying a natural resource plate for your vehicle. Natural Resource Plates
Experience Iowa's natural beauty and all the fun our state parks offer. Make your online reservation for state park cabins, camping sites, shelters and lodges.
Support conservation in Iowa by buying a natural resource plate for your vehicle.
Natural Resource Plates
Iowa DNR Customer Service Mon - Fri, 8:00am - 4:30pm CST p: 515-725-8200 f: 515-725-8201 Submit Online Inquiry Information / Records Requests Contact Information by County
Don't miss out on all of the same great Iowa Outdoor Expo fun just because we can't meet in person this year! We have several family-friendly videos and resources to expand your skills and knowledge about recreating in Iowa's Great Outdoors! Whether it is at a local park, recreation area, or even in your own backyard, you are sure to have a lot of fun! We are also offering several free virtual workshops. Be sure to sign your family up! Who knows you may discover a new skill and/or activity that you will end up enjoying for a lifetime!
7 Month Plan: Beginner to Bowhunter by Fall (Archery Trade Association)
Archery 101 (Archery Trade Association)
Archery & Bowhunting Activity Book (Archery Trade Association)
Archery & Bowhunting Coloring & Writing Activity Book (Archery Trade Association)
How to draw a bow (Archery Trade Association)
Intro to Archery (Archery Trade Association)
Shoot Archer Safely in Your Backyard (Archery Trade Association)
11 Steps for Archery Success (National Archery in the Schools Program)
Basic Compound Archery Form (Archery Trade Association)
Determining Dominant Eye (National Archery in the Schools Program)
How to find an archery store (Archery Trade Association)
How to Grip a BOW (Archery Trade Association)
Release Aids and How to Use Them (Archery Trade Association)
Des Moines Parks and Recreation
Interactive Iowa Shooting Range Map
My County Parks: Discover Iowa's County Parks (Statewide)
National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP)
Polk CCB
Camping Checklist (Iowa DNR)
Camp Cooking Tips (Iowa DNR)
Campfire Tips (Iowa DNR)
DIY Camping Recreation Kit (Iowa DNR)
DIY Camping Utility Kit (Iowa DNR)
DIY Fire Starting Kit (Iowa DNR)
DIY First Aid Kit for Camping (Iowa DNR)
Dutch Oven Recipes (Iowa DNR)
Dutch Oven Recipes from Becoming an Outdoors Woman Program (Iowa DNR)
Kids Campfire Recipes (Iowa DNR)
Outdoor and Wild Recipes (Iowa DNR)
Tenting Tips (Iowa DNR)
Tips for Camping with Kids (Iowa DNR)
Venison Cuts (Archery Trade Association)
Wideopen Spaces Wild Caught Recipes
Wideopen Spaces Wild Game Recipes
Wild Game Nutritional Guide (Wideopenspaces.com)
Cast Iron 101 (Camp Chef)
Cast Iron Care (Camp Chef)
Cast Iron Clean Up (Camp Chef)
Dutch Oven Storage (Camp Chef)
How Do Sleeping Bag Temperature Ratings Work (REI)
How to Clean Cast Iron in the Wild (Camp Chef)
How to Clean Your Hiking Boots at Home (REI)
How to Do Easy Meal Prep for Backpacking (REI)
How to Fit Your Backpack at Home (REI)
How to Grill Fish (Camp Chef)
How to Grill Venison Burgers (Camp Chef)
How to Pack a Hiking Go Bag (REI)
How to Size Your Foot and Find Hiking Boots Online (REI)
How to Sleep Warm While Camping (REI)
Peach Cobbler with Cinnamon Maple Whipping Cream (Camp Chef)
Restoring and Re-Seasoning Rusty Cast Iron Dutch Ovens and Skillets (Camp Chef)
Smoked Sweet Corn Recipe (Camp Chef)
Test All the Ways to Make Coffee on the Trail (REI)
Wild Game Fajitas (Camp Chef)
Yummy Mummy Brie Recipe (Camp Chef)
Iowa State Parks (Statewide)
Iowa DNR Let's Go Camping!
All About Leaves (Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden)
Clean Water (Izaak Walton League)
Conservation Landscaping (Izaak Walton League)
Cooking with Cati (Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden)
Creek Critters
DIY Backyard Terrarium (Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden)
Family Garden Tour and Scavenger Hunt (Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden)
Flower Fun Packet (Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden)
Germination Station (Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden)
Healthy Soil (Izaak Walton League)
Iowa Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Identification Key
Merlin Bird ID
Plant Obstacle Course (Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden)
Pollinator Scavenger Hunt (Polk County Conservation)
Pond Scavenger Hunt (Polk County Conservation)
Seek by iNaturalist
Spring Ephmeral Wildflower Bingo (Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation)
Stream Selfie (Izaak Walton League)
Tree Leaf Scavenger Hunt (Polk County Conservation)
Water Quality Monitoring Program (Polk County Conservation)
Water Scavenger Hunt (Polk County Conservation)
Woodland Wildflower Guide (Jasper County Conservation Board)
Explore Pollination (Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden)
Flavorful Flowers (Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden)
How does pollination work? (Polk County Conservation) - Learn how pollination works, the types of pollinating animals and how plants attract them along with a "create your own flower" activity.
Life in a Log (Polk County Conservation) - Facebook Live video about the process of decomposition and find out who may be living in a log
Mother Nature's Medicines Part 1 (Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden)
Mother Nature's Medicines Part 2 (Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden)
Mother Nature's Medicines Part 3 (Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden)
Tallgrass Prairies of Iowa (Polk County Conservation)
The Science of Tree Identification (Iowa PBS) - Learn what taxonomy is and how to identify trees using a dichotomous key.
What lives in a wetland? (Polk County Conservation)
Woodlands of Jester Park (Polk County Conservation)
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
Izaak Walton League of America
Fishing Licenses and Regulations
Fish ID
Fishing Tips and How Tos
Fly Tying
Bass Connect the Dot Sheet
Bluegill Color Page
Channel Catfish Coloring Page
Fishing in Iowa Crossword Puzzle
Fishing Trip Word Search
Largemouth Bass Coloring Page
Let's Go Fishing Activities
Matching Sheet
The Ultimate Guide: How to Start Bowfishing
Walleye Coloring Page
7 Tips for Taking Kids Fishing (RBFF)
A Kayak Fishing Safety Minute #1 (American Canoe Association)
A Kayak Fishing Safety Minute #2 (American Canoe Association)
A Well Packed Tackle Box (RBFF)
Baiting a Live Hook Made Easy (RBFF)
Best Fishing Rods for Beginners (RBFF)
Bowfishing Tips for Beginners – How to Bowfish for Asian Carp (Wild Revelation Outdoors)
Bluegill Rigs (First Catch Center Iowa)
How to Cast (First Catch Center Iowa)
How to Cast a Fishing Rod (RBFF)
How to Fillet a Fish (First Catch Center Iowa)
How to Land Fish (RBFF)
How to Organize Your Soft Plastic Baits (RBFF)
How to Reel in a Fish (RBFF)
How to Set the Hook (RBFF)
How to Tie a Bobber Stopper Knot (RBFF)
How to Tie a Bowline Knot (RBFF)
How to Tie a Clinch Knot (First Catch Center Iowa)
How to Tie a Drop Shot Knot (RBFF)
How to Tie an Egg Loop Knot (RBFF)
How to Tie a Non-Slip Loop Fishing Knot (RBFF)
How to Tie a Slip Knot for Fishing (RBFF)
How to Tie the Eye Crosser Knot (RBFF)
Iowa Fish at the Jester Park Nature Center (Polk County Conservation) - Facebook Live video about the fish that live at the Jester Park Nature Center. Catch a glimpse of how we feed our fish.
Parts of the Rod and Reel (First Catch Center Iowa)
Pop Bottle Rigs (First Catch Center Iowa)
Simple Way to Cast a Fishing Rod (RBFF)
Terminal Tackle for Bluegill (First Catch Center Iowa)
Three Lures to Get You Started (RBFF)
What's in my tackle box? Lures for Beginners (RBFF)
What to Pack When Going Fishing (RBFF)
Buy your hunting and fishing license
Fish Local: Get Hooked on Fishing Iowa's Metro Area
First Catch Center (City of Johnston)
Iowa DNR Ready to Fish
My County Parks: Discover Iowa's County Parks
Where to Fish
Camo Hide and Seek Activity (Archery Trade Association)
Free Online Treestand Safety Course (Treestand Manufacturers Association)
How Many Days Will Your Wild Game Last? (Archery Trade Association)
Iowa DNR Learn to Hunt
Iowa Learn to Hunt Online Video Course
Wideopen Spaces Wild Game Recipies
Effectiveness of Blaze Orange (Today's Hunter)
How to Cross a Fence Safely (Today's Hunter)
How to Safely Carry a Firearm in the Field (Today's Hunter)
Loading and Unloading a Firearm Checklist
Safe Zones of Fire (Today's Hunter)
The Four Basic Rules of Firearms Safety (Today's Hunter)
Treestand Hunting Safety (Today's Hunter)
Hunter's Connect (International Hunter Education Association)
Iowa DNR Hunting
Iowa Hunter Education Program
Places to Hunt and Shoot (Iowa DNR)
Search for an upcoming Hunter Education Class, Field Day or Learn to Hunt Course (Iowa DNR)
Bass Connect the Dot Sheet (Iowa DNR)Be a Dirt (Soil) Detective (Next Step Adventure)
Bluegill Color Page (Iowa DNR)
Channel Catfish Coloring Page (Iowa DNR)
Draw a Raccoon (Iowa DNR)
Family Garden Tour and Scavanger Hunt (Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden)
Fishing in Iowa Crossword Puzzle (Iowa DNR)
Fishing Trip Word Search (Iowa DNR)
Geology Activities (Polk County Conservation)
Largemouth Bass Coloring Page (Iowa DNR)
Let's Go Fishing Activities (Iowa DNR)
Make a Sediment Jar (Next Step Adventure)
PaddleQuest (American Canoe Association)
Predator Matching (Iowa DNR)
Turtle Nest Maze
Wildlife Track Bingo (Archery Trade Association)
Young Ikes Activity Book: Ages 6 - 8 (Izaak Walton League)
Young Ikes Activity Book: Ages 9 - 11 (Izaak Walton League)
All About Seeds (Polk County Conservation) - Facebook Live video filmed for the monthly Toddler Tales series. Learn about the parts of a seed and what seeds need to grow.
Geology Rocks (Polk County Conservation)
Mysteries of the Moon (Polk County Conservation) - Facebook Live video about Earth's moon and an activity to make a model of the moon out of playdough
Water Rocks!
10 Tips for Firearms Safety in Your Home (National Shooting Sports Foundation)
Buying Your First Firearm (National Shooting Sports Foundation)
Getting Started with Trap Shooting (National Shooting Sports Foundation)
Gun Storage (National Shooting Sports Foundation)
Talking to Kids About Firearms Safety (National Shooting Sports Foundation)
Firearms Cleaning 101 (National Shooting Sports Foundation)
Four Basic Rules of Firearms Safety (Hunter-Ed.com)
Hit Shotgun Targets More Consistently (National Shooting Sports Foundation)
How to Load and Unload a Modern Inline Muzzleloader (Hunter-Ed.com)
How to Safely Transport Firearms (Hunter-Ed.com)
How to Shoot Trap (National Shooting Sports Foundation)
Lens Color for Shooting Glasses (National Shooting Sports Foundation)
Loading and Unloading Firearms Checklist (Hunter-Ed.com)
Range Safety and Etiquette (National Shooting Sports Foundation)
Scholastic Action Shooting Program Introduction Video
Scholastic Clay Target Program Introduction Video
Shotgun Grip (National Shooting Sports Foundation)
Shotgun Mounting Drill (National Shooting Sports Foundation)
Understanding Ballistics (Hunter-Ed.com)
Understanding the Different Choke Types (Hunter-Ed.com)
Iowa DNR Shooting Sports Program
Iowa Scholastic Clay Target Program
National 4H Shooting Sports
Places to Shoot - Interactive Shooting Range Locator Map (Iowa DNR)
Project Child Safe
Scholastic Action Shooting Program
Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation
Boat Emergency Protocol (RBFF)
Boater Education Courses (Iowa DNR)
Boating Outside of Iowa (Iowa DNR)
Boat Safety Checklist (RBFF)
Boat Safety Equipment (RBFF)
How to Choose the Right Life Jacket (American Canoe Association)
Iowa Boater Safety Handbook (Iowa DNR)
Iowa Flood Information System
Iowa Water Trails Map (Iowa DNR)
Know Your Limits (American Canoe Association)
Low Head Dams (Iowa DNR)
Online Paddlesports Safety Course (Boat-ed.com)
Paddle Safe! Have Fun! (American Canoe Association)
Paddling 101 (American Canoe Association)
Real-Time Stream Flow and Levels (USGS)
Standard Statewide Water Trail Signage
The Basics of Paddling (American Canoe Association)
What is a PDF? (RBFF)
10 Tips for Canoeing & Kayaking Safely (American Canoe Association)
10 Tips for Standup Paddle Boarding Safely (American Canoe Association)
A Canoeing Safety Minute (American Canoe Association)
A Kayak Safety Minute (American Canoe Association)
A SUP Safety Minute (American Canoe Association)
Stories of Survival (American Canoe Association)
American Canoe Association
Central Iowa Paddlers
DesMoinesRiver.org
Des Moines Sail and Power Squadron
Interactive Paddling Map (Iowa DNR)
Iowa DNR Boating
Iowa DNR Canoeing and Kayaking
Iowa Rivers Revival
Iowa Water Trails Association
Iowa Whitewater Coalition
Skunk River Paddlers
Water Trail Maps (Iowa DNR)
Amphibians and Reptiles of Iowa
Attracting Birds to Your Yard
Birds and Bird Watching
Bird Calls
Bird Memory Game (Polk County Conservation) - print off the bird cards and cut them up into equal pieces. Mix up the bird cards and place them face down. Take turns turning over two cards at a time. If there is a match, that player goes again. Winner is the player with the most matches.
Bird Sounds Scavenger Hunt (Woodbury County Conservation)
Bug Guide
Insect Scavenger Hunt (Polk County Conservation)
Spider ID
Tadpoles of Polk County
Turtle Nest Maze (Iowa DNR)
Woodworking for Wildlife - Aldo Leopold Bench
Woodworking for Wildlife - Bat Box
Woodworking for Wildlife - Bluebird Box
Woodworking for Wildlife - Wood Duck Box
All About Beavers (Polk County Conservation) - Facebook Live video about the amazing adaptations that beavers have
Birds of Iowa (Polk County Conservation) - Learn what adaptations birds have and visit the Jester Park bird blind
Differences between Insects and Spiders (Polk County Conservation) - Learn about the differences between insects and spiders with a live hissing cockroach and tarantula
How Animals Move (Polk County Conservation) - Meet the Jester Park Nature Center education animals and observe how they move.
Life Cycle of an Insect (Polk County Conservation) - Learn about the life cycle or metamorphosis of an insect.
Meet a Toad and Salamander (Polk County Conservation) - Facebook Live video about the resident amphibians at the Jester Park Nature Center
Owls of Iowa (Polk County Conservation) - Facebook Live video about the common and not so common owls found in Iowa and their amazing adaptations
Snake Adaptations (Polk County Conservation) - Facebook Live video of two of our education snakes at the Jester Park Nature Center. Get a close up look at how they swallow their prey.
Snakes are Reptiles (Polk County Conservation) - Learn why snakes are reptiles and meet two snakes that call Iowa home
Superheroes of Nature (Polk County Conservation) - Facebook Live video is about the amazing adaptations animals have
Turtle Talk (Polk County Conservation) - Facebook Live video of two of the resident turtles at the Jester Park Nature Center
Visit with the Jester Park Bison (Polk County Conservation) - Facebook Live video of a close up look at the resident bison herd at Jester Park
Iowa's Bird Conservation Areas (Statewide)
Iowa's Wildlife Management Areas (Statewide)
Jester Park Nature Center (Granger)
Neil Smith Wildlife Refuge (Prairie City)
Volunteer Wildlife Monitoring (Statewide)
Contact the Des Moines Izaak Walton League at https://desmoines-ikes.com/ or 515-244-3773.
The Iowa Outdoor Expo would not happen without the generous support from our partners and sponsors and the dedication of over two hundred volunteers. A special thanks to the following sponsors: