You need go no further than the state of Iowa for a superb hunting location in 2023. If you like being outside, Iowa is an excellent state to visit since it offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as deer and turkey hunting. Making the most of your visit to Iowa may be accomplished by being familiar with the regulations and hunting seasons. Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions about hunting in Iowa, along with information on the hunting seasons, license requirements, and unique hunts that will be offered in 2023.
Iowa Hunting Seasons
There is something for every hunter in Iowa, where there is a wide range of wildlife to choose from, including deer, turkey, and waterfowl. The state has hunting laws in place to guarantee a lawful and ethical hunting experience, and hunters are advised to become acquainted with these laws before entering the field. Hunters should make a strategy and weigh their alternatives before acquiring a license since there are several hunting zones, permits, and special hunts available.
Small Game & Upland Season
| Iowa Small Game & Upland Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| (Rooster Pheasant-Youth) | Saturday, October 22, 2022 | 10/23/2023=2 | (Timing-8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) |
| (Rooster Pheasant) | Saturday, October 29, 2022 | Tuesday, January 10, 2023 | (Timing-8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) |
| (Bobwhite Quail) | Saturday, October 29, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | (Timing-8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) |
| (Gray Partridge) | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | (Timing-8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) |
| (Ruffed Grouse) | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | from dawn until dusk |
| (Rabbit -Cottontail) | Saturday, September 03, 2022 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | from dawn until dusk |
| (Rabbit -Jack) | CLOSED | CLOSED | |
| (Squirrel-Fox and Gray) | Saturday, September 03, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | |
| (Groundhog) | Regular Open Season | Regular Open Season | There is no restriction |
| (Crow) | Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Wednesday, November 30, 2022 | There is no restriction |
| Saturday, January 14, 2023 | Friday, March 31, 2023 | ||
| (Pigeon) | Regular Open Season | Regular Open Season | There is no restriction |
| (Coyote) | Regular Open Season | Regular Open Season | There is no restriction |
| Woodcock | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Monday, November 14, 2022 | A bag limit of 3 per day. |
Furbearer Hunting Seasons
| Iowa Furbearer Hunting Seasons | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| (Raccoon, Opossum, Badger, Striped Skunk, Fox - Red and Gray) | Saturday, November 05, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | Without any Limit (8 a.m. on First Day) |
| (Bobcats) | Saturday, November 05, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | 8 a.m. on First Day |
| (Coyote) | Continuous-Open | Continuous-Open | Without any Limit (Hours-Without Restrictions) |
Furbearer Trapping Season
| Iowa Furbearer Trapping Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| (Coyote, Mink, Muskrat, Weasel, Striped Skunk, Badger, Opossum, Fox-Red and Gray, Raccoon) | Saturday, November 05, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | Without any Limit (8 a.m. on First Day) |
| (Beaver) | Saturday, November 05, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | Without any Limit (8 a.m. on First Day) |
| (Otter) | Saturday, November 05, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | Thursday-March 3, 2022 (8 a.m. on First Day) |
| (Bobcat) | Saturday, November 05, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | (8 a.m. on First Day) |
| (Civet Cat-Spotted Skunk) | Continuous-Closed | Continuous-Closed | |
| (Gray Wolf) | Continuous-Closed | Continuous-Closed |
Migratory birds in Iowa
| Iowa Migratory Birds Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date |
|---|---|---|
| (Dark Geese and Light Geese) | ||
| North-Zone | Saturday, September 24, 2022 | Sunday, October 09, 2022 |
| Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Tuesday, December 06, 2022 | |
| Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Saturday, January 07, 2023 | |
| Central-Zone | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Sunday, October 16, 2022 |
| Saturday, October 22, 2022 | Tuesday, December 13, 2022 | |
| Saturday, December 17, 2022 | Saturday, January 14, 2023 | |
| South-Zone | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Sunday, October 23, 2022 |
| Saturday, October 29, 2022 | Tuesday, December 20, 2022 | |
| Saturday, December 24, 2022 | Saturday, January 21, 2023 | |
| (Youth-Waterfowl) | ||
| North-Zone | Saturday, September 24, 2022 | Sunday, September 25, 2022 |
| Central-Zone | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Monday, October 03, 2022 |
| South-Zone | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Sunday, October 09, 2022 |
| (Ducks, Mergansers and Coots) | ||
| North-Zone | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Friday, October 07, 2022 |
| Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Tuesday, December 06, 2022 | |
| Central-Zone | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Friday, October 14, 2022 |
| Saturday, October 22, 2022 | Tuesday, December 13, 2022 | |
| South-Zone | Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Friday, October 21, 2022 |
| Saturday, October 29, 2022 | Tuesday, December 20, 2022 |
Species wise Hunting Schedule in Iowa
Bobcat Season
| Iowa Bobcat Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bobcat | Saturday, November 05, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | A bag limit of 1. Requires special reporting and tagging. |
Coyote Season
| Iowa Coyote Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote | Saturday, January 01, 2022 | Saturday, December 31, 2022 | There is no limit and no closed season. |
Deer Season
| Iowa Deer Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer (Youth) | Saturday, September 17, 2022 | Sunday, October 02, 2022 | All Non-residents need to apply for special permit. |
| Deer (Early Archery) | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Friday, December 02, 2022 | (Residents only.) |
| Deer (Early Muzzleloader) | Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Sunday, October 23, 2022 | All Non-residents need to apply for special permit. |
| Deer (First Shotgun) | Saturday, December 03, 2022 | Wednesday, December 07, 2022 | All Non-residents need to apply for special permit. |
| Deer (Second Shotgun) | Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Sunday, December 18, 2022 | All Non-residents need to apply for special permit. |
| Deer (Late Archery) | Monday, December 19, 2022 | Tuesday, January 10, 2023 | All Non-residents need to apply for special permit. |
| Deer (Late Muzzleloader) | Monday, December 19, 2022 | Tuesday, January 10, 2023 | All Non-residents need to apply for special permit. |
| Deer (Nonresident Holiday) | Saturday, December 24, 2022 | Monday, January 02, 2023 |
Dove Season
| Iowa Dove Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dove | Thursday, September 01, 2022 | Tuesday, November 29, 2022 | A bag limit of 15 per day. |
Duck Season
| Iowa Duck Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duck (Teal) | Thursday, September 01, 2022 | Friday, September 16, 2022 | Statewide. Bag limit 6 per day. |
| Duck (North Youth) | Saturday, September 24, 2022 | Sunday, September 25, 2022 | A bag limit of 6 per day. |
| Duck (Central Youth) | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Sunday, October 02, 2022 | A bag limit of 6 per day. |
| Duck (Early North) | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Friday, October 07, 2022 | A bag limit of 6 per day. |
| Duck (Early Central) | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Friday, October 14, 2022 | A bag limit of 6 per day. |
| Duck (South Youth) | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Sunday, October 09, 2022 | A bag limit of 6 per day. |
| Duck (Early South) | Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Friday, October 21, 2022 | A bag limit of 6 per day. |
| Duck (Late North) | Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Tuesday, December 06, 2022 | A bag limit of 6 per day. |
| Duck (Late Central) | Saturday, October 22, 2022 | Tuesday, December 13, 2022 | A bag limit of 6 per day. |
| Duck (Late South) | Saturday, October 29, 2022 | Tuesday, December 20, 2022 | A bag limit of 6 per day. |
Fox Season
| Iowa Fox Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fox (Red and Gray) | Saturday, November 05, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | There is no limit |
Goose Season
| Iowa Goose Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goose (First North) | Saturday, September 24, 2022 | Sunday, October 09, 2022 | A bag limit of 5 per day for Dark geese and a bag limit 20 per day for Light geese |
| Goose (First Central) | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Sunday, October 16, 2022 | A bag limit of 5 per day for Dark geese and a bag limit 20 per day for Light geese |
| Goose (First South) | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Sunday, October 23, 2022 | A bag limit of 5 per day for Dark geese and a bag limit 20 per day for Light geese |
| Goose (Second North) | Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Tuesday, December 06, 2022 | A bag limit of 5 per day for Dark geese and a bag limit 20 per day for Light geese |
| Goose (Second Central) | Saturday, October 22, 2022 | Tuesday, December 13, 2022 | A bag limit of 5 per day for Dark geese and a bag limit 20 per day for Light geese |
| Goose (Second South) | Saturday, October 29, 2022 | Tuesday, December 20, 2022 | A bag limit of 5 per day for Dark geese and a bag limit 20 per day for Light geese |
| Goose (Third North) | Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Saturday, January 07, 2023 | A bag limit of 5 per day for Dark geese and a bag limit 20 per day for Light geese |
| Goose (Third Central) | Saturday, December 17, 2022 | Saturday, January 14, 2023 | A bag limit of 5 per day for Dark geese and a bag limit 20 per day for Light geese |
| Goose (Third South) | Saturday, December 24, 2022 | Saturday, January 21, 2023 | A bag limit of 5 per day for Dark geese and a bag limit 20 per day for Light geese |
Grouse Season
| Iowa Grouse Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruffed Grouse | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | A bag limit of 3 per day. |
Pheasant Season
| Iowa Pheasant Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pheasant (Youth) | Saturday, October 22, 2022 | Sunday, October 23, 2022 | A bag limit of 1 per day. |
| Pheasant (Regular) | Saturday, October 29, 2022 | Tuesday, January 10, 2023 | A bag limit of 3 per day. |
Quail Season
| Iowa Quail Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bobwhite Quail | Saturday, October 29, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | A bag limit of 8 per day. |
Turkey Season
| Iowa Turkey Season | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey (Fall Archery-1) | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Friday, December 02, 2022 | Daily bag and season possession limit is one bearded or male wild turkey for each valid license and transportation tag issued to the hunter. |
| Turkey (Fall Gun/Bow) | Monday, October 10, 2022 | Friday, December 02, 2022 | Daily bag and season possession limit is one bearded or male wild turkey for each valid license and transportation tag issued to the hunter. |
| Turkey (Fall Archery-2) | Monday, December 19, 2022 | Tuesday, January 10, 2023 | Daily bag and season possession limit is one bearded or male wild turkey for each valid license and transportation tag issued to the hunter. |
| Turkey (Spring Youth) | Friday, April 07, 2023 | Sunday, April 09, 2023 | Daily bag and season possession limit is one bearded or male wild turkey for each valid license and transportation tag issued to the hunter. |
| Turkey (Spring Season-1) | Monday, April 10, 2023 | Thursday, April 13, 2023 | Non-residents need special permit. |
| Turkey (Spring Archery) | Monday, April 10, 2023 | Sunday, May 14, 2023 | Resident hunters only. |
| Turkey (Spring Season-2) | Friday, April 14, 2023 | Tuesday, April 18, 2023 | Non-residents need special permit. |
| Turkey (Spring Season-3) | Wednesday, April 19, 2023 | Tuesday, April 25, 2023 | Non-residents need special permit. |
| Turkey (Spring Season-4) | Wednesday, April 26, 2023 | Sunday, May 14, 2023 | Non-residents need special permit. |
Note:
Application period for non-resident spring turkeys runs from January 1st through the final Sunday of the month. The application will be available in December.
The daily bag limit for hunters with valid licenses and transportation tags is one bearded or male wild turkey, and the season possession limit is two.
Hunting Licenses
| License Types | Fees |
|---|---|
| 16 years of age or older to hunt. | USD 22.00 |
| 18 years and older hunting (nonresident). | USD 144.00 |
| Furharvester 16 Years of Age and Up. | USD 26.00 |
| Furharvester 16 and under | USD 7.50 |
| Lifelong Hunting (Age 65 & older). | USD 61.50 |
| Deer in general. | USD 33.00 |
| Deer in general (nonresident). | USD 348.50 |
| Wild Turkey. | USD 28.50 |
Note:
- In Iowa, if you want to go hunting by yourself, you need to be at least 16 years old and in possession of a valid hunting license.
- Children under the age of 16 are permitted to hunt only if they are accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or other responsible adult who has been granted permission by the parent.
Hunting Regulations
- Fall turkey hunting permits are not available to non-residents.
- Any wild turkey taken inside the state during the hunting season must have the tagged leg connected to the corpse at all times.
- The DNR requires all hunters to use the Harvest Reporting System to record their harvested turkeys. Hunters are not required to report if they do not kill a turkey.
- Combination Gun/Bow Licenses are only valid in the zone chosen by the hunter at the time of purchase.
- Paid Gun/Bow Licenses are available on a first-come, first-served basis until zone quotas are met or the season ends, whichever comes first.
- The state-wide validity of a paid archery-only license extends to the whole country. Licenses are available for purchase with no restrictions or limits until the season’s conclusion.
- The Landowner-Tenant Gun/Bow License and the Landowner-Tenant Archery-only License are valid until the conclusion of the hunting season for qualifying landowners, tenants, and their immediate family members.
- Landowners and tenants each may only have one turkey license at a time. These Landowner-Tenant Licenses are only valid for the owner’s or tenant’s actual farm.
- A resident hunter is limited to two autumn turkey permits.
- You may shoot from an hour and a half before dawn till an hour after sundown.
- Bow hunting is allowed one hour before dawn and one hour after sunset.
- The dog may track down, flush out, and recover the bird if the hunter possesses a valid wild turkey license and an unfilled transportation tag.
- Areas of Iowa north of a line drawn from Interstate 29 on the South Dakota–Iowa border, south and east along Interstate 29 to State Highway 20, and finally north to the Iowa–Illinois border are considered part of the North Zone.
- All Iowa south of State Highway 92 and west of Interstate 29 up to the state line with Illinois is considered to be in the South Zone.
- The remaining portion of the state is called the Central Zone.
- To better understand the hunting and harvesting of migratory game birds throughout the country, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state wildlife agencies collaborate on the Harvest Information Program.
- Registration for HIP may be completed online at www.gooutdoorsiowa.com beginning on December 15th for all hunters of migratory game birds.
- Ducks, geese, coots, doves, woodcock, rails, and snipe are among the migratory game birds found in Iowa.
- During the first two weeks of September, the Des Moines, Cedar Rapids–Iowa City, and Waterloo–Cedar Falls zones have special Canada goose seasons on certain days.
- In these areas, you’re only allowed to take home a maximum of 5 Canada geese every day.
- As a result of the Special Teal Season in September, hunters are given a few more days to go out and look for teal.
- Only teal may be hunted, and only between dawn and dusk.
- On Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days, Iowa residents aged 15 and under are exempt from the state’s habitat and migratory game bird fees and the federal duck stamp requirement.
- It is required that all child hunters be accompanied by an adult of at least 18 years of age.
- Landowners and tenants each may only have one turkey license at a time. These Landowner-Tenant Licenses are only valid for the owner’s or tenant’s actual farm.
- A resident hunter may apply for and get up to two spring turkey hunting permits. If the hunter qualifies, one of these options is a Landowner-Tenant License.
- Arrows of all types, including longbows, recurves, and compound bows, are allowed. Arrows with blunt tips and a minimum diameter of 9/16 inches are permitted. Each arrow must have a broadhead no smaller than 7/8 inches in diameter. The arrow and its broadhead may not be rigged with any explosive or chemical device.
- Every standard rule regarding the taking of migrating game birds is in effect. Only teal may be hunted, and only between dawn and dusk. As a result of the Special Teal Season in September, hunters are given a few more days to go out and look for teal.
- On Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days, Iowa residents aged 15 and under are exempt from the state’s habitat and migratory game bird fees and the federal duck stamp requirement. It is required that all child hunters be accompanied by an adult of at least 18 years of age.
- Doves are treated somewhat differently than waterfowl and other migratory game birds under federal rules about baiting. Dove hunters, for instance, are not permitted to shoot over regions where grain or other feed has been distributed due to routine agricultural activities or from a feeder within 14 days after shooting doves over a baited area.
FAQs related to Iowa Hunting Seasons
When is Iowa's deer season?
Both the early archery deer season (beginning October 1) and the first shotgun season (beginning December 4)
Are nonresidents eligible for fall turkey hunting licenses in Iowa?
Non-Iowa residents cannot purchase a fall turkey hunting license in Iowa.
Are there any tagging requirements for wild turkeys in Iowa?
During any season in which wild turkeys may be taken in the state, the tagged leg must stay connected to the turkey’s corpse until it is processed for human consumption.
Is there a limit on the number of turkey hunting licenses that a resident hunter can obtain in Iowa?
Two autumn turkey hunting permits are permissible for a resident hunter; they may be either Combination Gun/Bow Licenses, Archery-only Licenses, or one of each. If the hunter qualifies, one of these permits might be a Landowner-Tenant Permit.
Are dogs allowed to be used during fall turkey hunting season in Iowa?
As long as the hunter has a valid wild turkey license and an empty transportation tag, dogs may be employed to track down, flush out, and recover game birds.
Are there any special September Canada Goose hunting seasons in Iowa?
In the Des Moines, Cedar Rapids-Iowa City, and Waterloo-Cedar Falls zones, Canada goose hunting is permitted within a limited window during the first two weeks of September. In these areas, you’re only allowed to take home a maximum of 5 Canada geese every day.
Are there any restrictions on the use of recorded or electrically amplified bird calls or sounds during migratory game bird hunting in Iowa?
Using or assisting with recorded or electronically amplified imitations of bird cries, noises, or actual bird calls or sounds is prohibited. Light geese (including greater and lesser snow and Ross’s geese) are exempt from this regulation for the duration of the Conservation Order.
Are there any baiting rules for mourning doves in Iowa?
There are significant key distinctions between federal dove baiting restrictions and waterfowl baiting regulations. Hunting mourning doves over intentionally or unintentionally baited locations is prohibited by law.
I have many concerns on deer retrieval onto private property. 1. I have heard several people can go onto private property to help “hunter” blood trail a wounded deer without permission and or notice. I happen to deer hunt occasionally and allow hunters to go onto posted property without notice is a complete safety violation to the land owner or anyone who does have legal permission. 2. I have also been told that the “hunt group can have motorized vehicles to assist them. Comment, I have been and will continue to be upset if I am bow hunting or gun hunting and have a group come over the hill and bust my hunt. Any hunter worth his salt will tell you a big buck will be gone for that year. Just exactly where in all these rights to retrieve a wounded animal does a tax paying landowner have? Last but not least how long are they allowed to tromp all thru the farm. I have had a game warden tell me 2-3 days! Am I just to wait until they determine they are done running my farm? Is the State of Iowa to assume all legal liability? Feel free to call. 1515-238-3972 I am in DSM at least once a week.
If you don’t believe in the obligation to retrieve your game animal
If you don’t believe it is an obligation to retrieve your game animal you’re not a hunter, nor should you consider yourself to be one…