Hunting

This is not a complete set of hunting, fishing and trapping laws but contains the information you are most likely to need to safely participate in these outdoor activities.

2020-21 Regulations, Hunting, Trapping and Migratory Game Bird, Full Book**
Season Dates, Upland Game Hunting Regulations, Migratory Game Bird Seasons & Limits, Deer Hunting Regulations, Fall Turkey Regulations, Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations, Nonresident Spring Turkey Hunting Information, Sunrise-Sunset Table

• 2020-21 Quick Reference Card, Hunting and Trapping
• 2020-21 Quick Reference Card, Migratory Game Bird Hunting
• Fall Turkey Zone Map

** Regulations Correction
The printed version of the 2019-20 Iowa Hunting, Trapping and Migratory Game Bird Regulations omitted the language from a new state law that allows hunters with a nonambulatory deer license to hunt during any open season until the license is filled, using the method of take allowed for that season. The error was discovered too late for the print edition. It has been corrected in the online copy (page 40).

The Iowa DNR is excited to announce several new fishing and hunting license options! These licenses will increase convenience, help lessen worry about expiring, save money and give you new opportunities to fish and hunt.

• Bonus Line License – resident and nonresident anglers can fish with one additional line (with the purchase of the annual fishing license, which allows two lines), for $12.
• Outdoor Combo License – annual resident hunting/fishing/habitat combo license for $47.
• Angler’s Special* – a three-year fishing license for $53.
• Hunter’s Special* – a three-year hunting license with habitat included for $86.

Residents and nonresidents can also now purchase:  

• Resident hunting/habitat combo license for $30.
• Resident fur harvester/habitat (age 16 and over) combo license for $33.50.
• Nonresident hunting/habitat (age 18 and over) annual for $123.
• Nonresident hunting/habitat (under age 18) annual for $43.
• Nonresident fur harvester/habitat annual for $213.
• Nonresident fur dealer one day, one location for $252.

Buy your new license today online or at your Local License Retailer.  

Establishing residency in the state of Iowa Were the last licenses or tags you purchased in the state of Iowa nonresident tags? Are you now permanently living in Iowa? Here is what is required to prove eligibility of Iowa Residency. ( for former nonresidents)

Resident License Application Form       Changing Your Residency Status FAQ

All hunters hunting licensed hunting preserves must obtain an Iowa small game hunting license and habitat fee, or obtain the hunting preserve hunting license valid only on licensed preserves, and the habitat fee. Resident Iowa youth under the age of 16 are not required to have a license, but must be accompanied by a licensed adult 18 years of age or older. Non-resident youth under the age of 16 are required to possess a non-resident youth preserve license and habitat fee. The non-resident youth under 16 years of age are not required to have completed a hunter safety/education course. 

All preserve game birds and game animals harvested on the licensed preserve must be properly tagged with transportation/kill tags as required by law. Hunting preserve operators are responsible for tagging the harvested game bird or animal before it is transported from the licensed preserve.

Populations of large mammals, once native to Iowa, have been gone from the Iowa landscape for 80 to 100 years. Learn more regarding wolves, bears, mountain lions and moose.

More information: Iowa's Occasional Wildlife Visitors

The Iowa DNR is required to authorize a club or individual to hold an organized dog trial (e.g. bird dog, retriever, coon dog, fox hound) within the state, regardless of whether the event is held on public or private ground.

At least 30 days before the scheduled date of the dog trial, an application must be filed with the DNR using the Special Events web-based application found at  https://programs.iowadnr.gov/specialevents/.

For more information, contact your local conservation officer or wildlife biologist.