Hunting Season Dates

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Deer and Turkey Season Dates | Google calendar

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


2019-2020 Deer Hunting Seasons
Youth Season: Sept 21 - Oct 6
Disabled Hunter: Sept 21 - Oct 6
Archery: Oct 1 - Dec 6 AND Dec 23 - Jan 10, 2020
Muzzleloader: Oct 12 - 20 (Early) AND Dec 23 - Jan 10, 2020 (Late)
Shotgun: Dec 7 - 11 (First) AND Dec 14 - 22 (Second)
Nonresident Holiday: Dec 24 - Jan 2, 2020
January Antlerless: Jan 11 - 26, 2020

2020 Spring Turkey Hunting Seasons
Combination Gun/Bow Licenses
Youth Season (Residents Only) - April 10-12, 2020
Season 1 April 13-16, 2020
Season 2 April 17-21, 2020
Season 3 April 22-28, 2020
Season 4 April 29-May 17, 2020
Resident Archery-only Licenses: April 13-May 17, 2020

Download: 2019-20 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Quick Reference Card




Add this calendar to your Google Account for up-to-date notifications.


Migratory Game Bird Season Dates | Google calendar

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


 North ZoneSouth ZoneMissouri River
Youth WaterfowlSept. 19-20Sept. 26-27Oct 3-4
Ducks, Mergansers & CootsSept 26 - Oct 2 &
Oct 10 - Dec 1		 Oct 3 - 9 &
Oct17 - Dec 8		Oct 10 - 16 &
Oct 24 - Dec 15
Dark Geese&
Light Geese		Sept 19 - Oct 4 &
Oct 10 - Dec 1 &
Dec 12 - Jan 9, 2021		 Sept 26 - Oct 11 &
Oct 17 - Dec 8 &
Dec 19 - Jan 16, 2021		 Oct 3 - 18 &
Oct 24 - Dec 15 &
Dec 26 - Jan 23, 2021

 Statewide
Special September TealSept 1 - 16
DovesSept 1 - Nov 29
SnipeSept 7 - Nov 30
RailSept 7 - Nov 15
WoodcockOct 5 - Nov 18

2020-2025 hunting seasons
  • Waterfowl hunting zones and season structures for 2021-2025 will be selected in 2020.
  • Preparations for this selection are underway. Facilitated discussions with small groups of hunters occurred in December 2018. Email and mail surveys were distributed in winter and spring 2019. Analysis will occur summer 2019.
  • Public comment will be accepted early fall 2019 at a series of regional meetings. A proposal will be presented to the Natural Resource Commission in January 2020. The Commission will make a final decision in April 2020.



Trapping & Fur Harvesting Season Dates | Google calendar

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


Raccoon, Muskrat, Fox (Red and Gray), Coyote, Badger, Mink,
Weasel, Opossum, Striped Skunk		 Nov 2 - Jan 31, 20208am First DayNo Limit
BeaverNov 2 - Apr 15, 20208am First DayNo Limit
Otter*Nov 2 - Jan 31, 20208am First Daydaily and season possession limit is 2
Bobcat*Nov 2 - Jan 31, 20208am First Day* see p. 30 of the hunting regulations for bobcat limits
Civet Cat (Spotted Skunk) and Gray WolfCLOSED

*Furharvesters must contract a conservation officer within 7 days of taking an otter or bobcat to receive a CITES tag. Bobcat season is in southern and certain western counties. Only one bobcat and two otters are allowed per season per licensed furharvester, either hunted or trapped. See Iowa Hunting, Trapping & Migratory Game Bird Regulations for more information.

Download: 2019-20 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Quick Reference Card




Small Game and Upland Seasons | Google calendar

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


Rooster Pheasant (Youth): Oct. 19-20
- Residents age 15 or younger. See p. 14 of regulations for complete requirements.

SpeciesSeasonShooting HoursBag LimitPossession Limit
Rooster Pheasant (Youth)Oct. 19-20 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 1 2
Rooster Pheasant Oct. 26 - Jan. 10, 2020 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 3 12
Bobwhite Quail Oct. 26 - Jan. 31, 2020 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 8 16
Gray Partridge Oct. 12 - Jan. 31, 2020 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 8 16
Ruffed Grouse Oct. 5 - Jan. 31, 2020 Sunrise to Sunset 3 6
Rabbit (Cottontail) Aug. 31 - Feb. 28, 2020 Sunrise to Sunset 10 20
Rabbit (Jack) CLOSED 0 00
Squirrel (Fox and Gray) Aug. 31 - Jan. 31, 2020 No Restrictions 6 12
Groundhog Continuous Open Season No Restrictions No Limit No Limit
Crow Oct. 15 - Nov. 30 and Jan. 14 - March 31, 2020No Restrictions No Limit No Limit
PigeonContinuous Open Season No Restrictions No Limit No Limit
CoyoteContinuous Open Season No Restrictions No Limit No Limit

Pigeon: Continuous Open Season

Groundhog and Coyote: Continuous Open Seasons
- May be hunted on either a hunting or furharvester license.
- Coyote or groundhog may be hunted on a hunting or furharvester licence.
- See p. 29 of regulations for trapping information.



Download: 2019-20 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Quick Reference Card



Continuous Open: Groundhog, pigeon and coyote (for trapping dates, see calendar above).
Continuous Closed: Rabbit (jack).