Iowa Hunting Seasons 2023 [Latest Updates!]

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
Iowa hunting seasons

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 SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
(Rooster Pheasant-Youth)Saturday, October 22, 202210/23/2023=2(Timing-8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
(Rooster Pheasant)Saturday, October 29, 2022Tuesday, January 10, 2023(Timing-8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
(Bobwhite Quail)Saturday, October 29, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 2023(Timing-8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
(Gray Partridge)Saturday, October 08, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 2023(Timing-8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
(Ruffed Grouse)Saturday, October 01, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 2023from dawn until dusk
(Rabbit -Cottontail)Saturday, September 03, 2022Tuesday, February 28, 2023from dawn until dusk
(Rabbit -Jack)CLOSEDCLOSED
(Squirrel-Fox and Gray)Saturday, September 03, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 2023
(Groundhog)Regular Open SeasonRegular Open SeasonThere is no restriction
(Crow)Saturday, October 15, 2022Wednesday, November 30, 2022There is no restriction
Saturday, January 14, 2023Friday, March 31, 2023
(Pigeon)Regular Open SeasonRegular Open SeasonThere is no restriction
(Coyote)Regular Open SeasonRegular Open SeasonThere is no restriction
WoodcockSaturday, October 01, 2022Monday, November 14, 2022A bag limit of 3 per day.

Furbearer Hunting Seasons

Iowa Furbearer Hunting SeasonsHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
(Raccoon, Opossum, Badger, Striped Skunk, Fox - Red and Gray)Saturday, November 05, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 2023Without any Limit (8 a.m. on First Day)
(Bobcats)Saturday, November 05, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 20238 a.m. on First Day
(Coyote)Continuous-OpenContinuous-OpenWithout any Limit (Hours-Without Restrictions)

Furbearer Trapping Season

Iowa Furbearer Trapping SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
(Coyote, Mink, Muskrat, Weasel, Striped Skunk, Badger, Opossum, Fox-Red and Gray, Raccoon)Saturday, November 05, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 2023Without any Limit (8 a.m. on First Day)
(Beaver)Saturday, November 05, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 2023Without any Limit (8 a.m. on First Day)
(Otter)Saturday, November 05, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 2023Thursday-March 3, 2022 (8 a.m. on First Day)
(Bobcat)Saturday, November 05, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 2023(8 a.m. on First Day)
(Civet Cat-Spotted Skunk)Continuous-ClosedContinuous-Closed
(Gray Wolf)Continuous-ClosedContinuous-Closed

Migratory birds in Iowa

Iowa Migratory Birds SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End Date
(Dark Geese and Light Geese)
North-ZoneSaturday, September 24, 2022Sunday, October 09, 2022
Saturday, October 15, 2022Tuesday, December 06, 2022
Saturday, December 10, 2022Saturday, January 07, 2023
Central-ZoneSaturday, October 01, 2022Sunday, October 16, 2022
Saturday, October 22, 2022Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Saturday, December 17, 2022Saturday, January 14, 2023
South-ZoneSaturday, October 08, 2022Sunday, October 23, 2022
Saturday, October 29, 2022Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Saturday, December 24, 2022Saturday, January 21, 2023
(Youth-Waterfowl)
North-ZoneSaturday, September 24, 2022Sunday, September 25, 2022
Central-ZoneSaturday, October 01, 2022Monday, October 03, 2022
South-ZoneSaturday, October 08, 2022Sunday, October 09, 2022
(Ducks, Mergansers and Coots)
North-ZoneSaturday, October 01, 2022Friday, October 07, 2022
Saturday, October 15, 2022Tuesday, December 06, 2022
Central-ZoneSaturday, October 08, 2022Friday, October 14, 2022
Saturday, October 22, 2022Tuesday, December 13, 2022
South-ZoneSaturday, October 15, 2022Friday, October 21, 2022
Saturday, October 29, 2022Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Species wise Hunting Schedule in Iowa

Bobcat Season

Iowa Bobcat SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
BobcatSaturday, November 05, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 2023A bag limit of 1. Requires special reporting and tagging.

Coyote Season

Iowa Coyote SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
CoyoteSaturday, January 01, 2022Saturday, December 31, 2022There is no limit and no closed season.

Deer Season

Iowa Deer SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Deer (Youth)Saturday, September 17, 2022Sunday, October 02, 2022All Non-residents need to apply for special permit.
Deer (Early Archery)Saturday, October 01, 2022Friday, December 02, 2022(Residents only.)
Deer (Early Muzzleloader)Saturday, October 15, 2022Sunday, October 23, 2022All Non-residents need to apply for special permit.
Deer (First Shotgun)Saturday, December 03, 2022Wednesday, December 07, 2022All Non-residents need to apply for special permit.
Deer (Second Shotgun)Saturday, December 10, 2022Sunday, December 18, 2022All Non-residents need to apply for special permit.
Deer (Late Archery)Monday, December 19, 2022Tuesday, January 10, 2023All Non-residents need to apply for special permit.
Deer (Late Muzzleloader)Monday, December 19, 2022Tuesday, January 10, 2023All Non-residents need to apply for special permit.
Deer (Nonresident Holiday)Saturday, December 24, 2022Monday, January 02, 2023

Dove Season

Iowa Dove SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
DoveThursday, September 01, 2022Tuesday, November 29, 2022A bag limit of 15 per day.

Duck Season

Iowa Duck SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Duck (Teal)Thursday, September 01, 2022Friday, September 16, 2022Statewide. Bag limit 6 per day.
Duck (North Youth)Saturday, September 24, 2022Sunday, September 25, 2022A bag limit of 6 per day.
Duck (Central Youth)Saturday, October 01, 2022Sunday, October 02, 2022A bag limit of 6 per day.
Duck (Early North)Saturday, October 01, 2022Friday, October 07, 2022A bag limit of 6 per day.
Duck (Early Central)Saturday, October 08, 2022Friday, October 14, 2022A bag limit of 6 per day.
Duck (South Youth)Saturday, October 08, 2022Sunday, October 09, 2022A bag limit of 6 per day.
Duck (Early South)Saturday, October 15, 2022Friday, October 21, 2022A bag limit of 6 per day.
Duck (Late North)Saturday, October 15, 2022Tuesday, December 06, 2022A bag limit of 6 per day.
Duck (Late Central)Saturday, October 22, 2022Tuesday, December 13, 2022A bag limit of 6 per day.
Duck (Late South)Saturday, October 29, 2022Tuesday, December 20, 2022A bag limit of 6 per day.

Fox Season

Iowa Fox SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Fox (Red and Gray)Saturday, November 05, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 2023There is no limit

Goose Season

Iowa Goose SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Goose (First North)Saturday, September 24, 2022Sunday, October 09, 2022A 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, 2022Sunday, October 16, 2022A 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, 2022Sunday, October 23, 2022A 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, 2022Tuesday, December 06, 2022A 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, 2022Tuesday, December 13, 2022A 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, 2022Tuesday, December 20, 2022A 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, 2022Saturday, January 07, 2023A 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, 2022Saturday, January 14, 2023A 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, 2022Saturday, January 21, 2023A bag limit of 5 per day for Dark geese and a bag limit 20 per day for Light geese

Grouse Season

Iowa Grouse SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Ruffed GrouseSaturday, October 01, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 2023A bag limit of 3 per day.

Pheasant Season

Iowa Pheasant SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Pheasant (Youth)Saturday, October 22, 2022Sunday, October 23, 2022A bag limit of 1 per day.
Pheasant (Regular)Saturday, October 29, 2022Tuesday, January 10, 2023A bag limit of 3 per day.

Quail Season

Iowa Quail SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Bobwhite QuailSaturday, October 29, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 2023A bag limit of 8 per day.

Turkey Season

Iowa Turkey SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End DateNote
Turkey (Fall Archery-1)Saturday, October 01, 2022Friday, December 02, 2022Daily 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, 2022Friday, December 02, 2022Daily 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, 2022Tuesday, January 10, 2023Daily 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, 2023Sunday, April 09, 2023Daily 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, 2023Thursday, April 13, 2023Non-residents need special permit.
Turkey (Spring Archery)Monday, April 10, 2023Sunday, May 14, 2023Resident hunters only.
Turkey (Spring Season-2)Friday, April 14, 2023Tuesday, April 18, 2023Non-residents need special permit.
Turkey (Spring Season-3)Wednesday, April 19, 2023Tuesday, April 25, 2023Non-residents need special permit.
Turkey (Spring Season-4)Wednesday, April 26, 2023Sunday, May 14, 2023Non-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 TypesFees
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.

3 thoughts on “Iowa Hunting Seasons 2023 [Latest Updates!]”

  1. 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.

    Reply
  2. 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…

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