Hunting

  Hunting
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Apply now for Iowa nonresident deer tags

The Iowa nonresident deer hunting application period is now open. Applications close June 6 at midnight, so get a head start and apply today! As a reminder, preference point purchases and applications are no longer available by phone and will only be accessible online. Please follow the instructions below to apply. 

How to apply:

A few quick reminders:
  • Hunter Safety: Proof of hunter safety education is required for anyone born on or after January 1, 1972. If your certificate is not already on file, you can upload it to your Iowa DNR account and it will be verified within one business day.
  • Group Application: If you are planning to come to Iowa with a group of hunters, you may choose to apply as a group. Applying as a group will ensure that if one group member is drawn, all others in the group will automatically be drawn as well. No hunter left behind!
  • Apply Early: Applying early will not affect your drawing odds, but it does give Iowa DNR staff time to assist you if you make a mistake or have issues with your application.

Good luck and thank you for hunting in Iowa!

Weekly Reporting
Hunting News
Public Comment

The Iowa DNR is accepting public comments regarding the proposed changes to the deer regulations and expanding the bobcat open zone. Please send the comments to wildlife@dnr.iowa.gov.

Comments related to the straight wall cartridges or retrieval of wounded deer by leashed dogs should be sent to lawenforcement@dnr.iowa.gov.


Annual wildlife public meeting from Feb 26, 2021:

Nonresident Deer and Turkey Information
Regulations and other information

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.


Federal Duck Stamp

Beginning July 2019, Iowa migratory bird hunters can buy their Federal Duck Stamp in the form of an E-Stamp through all Iowa license vendors and through the Go Outdoors Iowa online portal.

After purchasing the E-Stamp, hunters will be eligible to hunt using the E-Stamp for up to 45 days while the physical Federal Duck Stamp is being mailed to their home address.

Questions?
Visit the US Fish & Wildlife Service website.


General Hunting Calendar

We work hard to keep our calendar current, but always refer to the hunting regulation booklet for official, legal season dates.



 Iowa Hunting Seasons - Calendars >>


 Full DNR Events Calendar >>