Iowa Hunting Seasons 2023-2024 [Latest Updates!]

You need go no further than the state of Iowa for a superb hunting season in 2023-2024. 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.

Deer Season

Species	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date
Youth	16-Sep-23	1-Oct-23
Disabled Hunter	16-Sep-23	1-Oct-23
Archery	1-Oct-23	1-Dec-23
Archery	18-Dec-23	10-Jan-24
Muzzleloader (Early)	14-Oct-23	22-Oct-23
Muzzleloader (Late)	18-Dec-23	10-Jan-24
Shotgun (First)	2-Dec-23	6-Dec-23
Shotgun (Second)	9-Dec-23	17-Dec-23
Nonresident Holiday	24-Dec-23	2-Jan-24
Pop Mgmt Jan Antlerless	11-Jan-23	21-Jan-24
Excess Tag Jan Antlerless	11-Jan-23	21-Jan-24

Iowa DNR youth hunting regulations-Deer

Iowa Youth Deer Season	Details
Season Dates:	September 16 October 1, 2023
Requirements:	To hunt deer in Iowa, you need a hunting license and to complete an accredited hunter safety course.
Hunting Hours:	Hunters are permitted to be in the field ½ hour before sunrise and ½ hour after sunset.
Deer Harvest Reporting:	All hunters are obligated to report their deer harvest either at iowadnr.gov or by calling the number on their tag.
Local Resource Opportunities:	Marion County and surrounding areas to explore hunting, emphasizing the region's abundant natural resources for hunting and fishing.
Additional Season:	Disabled hunters season also begins on the same day.

Turkey Season

Species	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date
Fall Turkey (Gun/Bow)	10-Oct-23	1-Dec-23
Fall Turkey (Archery)	1-Oct-23	1-Dec-23
Fall Turkey (Archery)	18-Dec-23	10-Jan-24

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.

Iowa Upland Birds

Pheasant Season

Pheasant Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Daily Limit	Possession Limit
Rooster Pheasant (Youth)	21-Oct-23	22-Oct-23	1	2
Rooster Pheasant	28-Oct-23	10-Jan-24	3	12

Quail Season

Quail Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Daily Limit	Possession Limit
Bobwhite Quail	28-Oct-23	31-Jan-24	8	16

Gray Partridge

Species	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Daily Limit	Possession Limit
Gray Partridge	14-Oct-23	31-Jan-24	8	16

Grouse Season

Species	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Daily Limit	Possession Limit
.	7-Oct-23	31-Jan-24	3	6

Iowa Migratory Birds

Crow Season

Crow Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Daily Limit	Possession Limit
Crow	15-Oct-23	30-Nov-23	No Limit	No Limit
Crow	14-Jan-23	31-Mar-24	No Limit	No Limit

Iowa Waterfowl Season

Duck Season

Ducks Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date
North Zone	30-Sep-23	6-Oct-23
	14-Oct-23	5-Dec-23
Central Zone	7-Oct-23	13-Oct-23
	21-Oct-23	12-Dec-23
South Zone	14-Oct-23	20-Oct-23
	28-Oct-23	19-Dec-23

Coots Season

Coots Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date
North Zone	30-Sep-23	6-Oct-23
	14-Oct-23	5-Dec-23
Central Zone	7-Oct-23	13-Oct-23
	21-Oct-23	12-Dec-23
South Zone	14-Oct-23	20-Oct-23
	28-Oct-23	19-Dec-23

Mergansers Season

Mergansers Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date
North Zone	30-Sep-23	6-Oct-23
	14-Oct-23	5-Dec-23
Central Zone	7-Oct-23	13-Oct-23
	21-Oct-23	12-Dec-23
South Zone	14-Oct-23	20-Oct-23
	28-Oct-23	19-Dec-23

Teal Season

Species	Start Date	End Date
Teal	1-Sep-23	16-Sep-23

Youth Waterfowl Season

Youth Waterfowl	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date
North Zone	23-Sep-23	24-Sep-23
Central Zone	30-Sep-23	1-Oct-23
South Zone	7-Oct-23	8-Oct-23

Snipe Season

Species	Start Date	End Date
Snipe	2-Sep-23	30-Nov-23

Rails Season

Rails Season	Start Date	End Date
Virginia	2-Sep-23	10-Nov-23
Sora	2-Sep-23	10-Nov-23

Woodcock Season

Species	Start Date	End Date
Woodcock	7-Oct-23	20-Nov-23

Dove Season

Species	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Daily Limit	Possession Limit
Dove Season	1-Sep-23	29-Nov-23	15	45

Waterfowl Bag Limits

Species	Daily Limit	Notes
Teal	6	Blue-wing, green-wing & cinnamon teal only
Ducks	6	No more than 4 mallards (2 female), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 1 pintail, 2 black ducks & 2 canvasbacks. Scaup bag limit: 1 for first 15 days of the season, 2 for remaining 45 days.
Mergansers	5	No more than 2 hooded mergansers
Geese (Dark Geese)	5	No more than 2 Canada geese (first segment of statewide season), no more than 3 Canada geese (second segment until end of the season).
Geese (Metro Canada Goose Season)	5	Des Moines, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, and Cedar Falls/Waterloo zones.
Geese (Light Geese)	20	No possession limit
Doves	15
Woodcock	3
Snipe	8
Rails	12
Coots	15

Furbearer Season

Rabbit Season

Rabbit Season	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Daily Limit	Possession Limit
Rabbit (Cottontail)	2-Sep-23	28-Feb-24	10	20
Rabbit (Jack)	Closed

Squirrel Season

Species	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Daily Limit	Possession Limit
Squirrel (Fox and Gray)	2-Sep-23	31-Jan-24	No Restrictions	6

Muskrat Season

Species	Start Date	End Date	Daily Limit	Possession Limit
Muskrat (Trapping Only)	4-Nov-23	28-Feb-24	No Limit	No Limit

Badger Season

Species	Start Date	End Date	Daily Limit	Possession Limit
Badger (Trapping Only)	4-Nov-23	28-Feb-24	No Limit	No Limit

Mink Season

Species	Start Date	End Date	Daily Limit	Possession Limit
Mink (Trapping Only)	4-Nov-23	28-Feb-24	No Limit	No Limit

Weasel Season

Species	Start Date	End Date	Daily Limit	Possession Limit
Weasel (Trapping Only)	4-Nov-23	28-Feb-24	No Limit	No Limit

Skunk Season

Species	Start Date	End Date	Daily Limit	Possession Limit
Striped Skunk (Trapping Only)	4-Nov-23	28-Feb-24	No Limit	No Limit

Raccoon Season

Species	Hunting Dates	Daily Limit	Possession Limit
Raccoon	Continuous Open Season	No Limit	No Limit

Coyote Season

Species	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Daily Limit	Possession Limit
Coyote Season	Continuous Open Season		No Limit	No Limit

Groundhog Season

Species	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Daily Limit	Possession Limit
Groundhog Season	Continuous Open Season		No Limit	No Limit

Opossum Season

Species	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Daily Limit	Possession Limit
Opossum Season	4-Nov-23	28-Feb-24	No Limit	No Limit

Fox (Red & Gray)

Species	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Daily Limit	Possession Limit
Fox (Red & Gray)	4-Nov-23	28-Feb-24	No Limit	No Limit

Bobcat Season

Species	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date
Bobcat	4-Nov-23	28-Feb-24

Beaver Season

Species	Start Date	End Date	Daily Limit	Possession Limit
Beaver Season	5-Nov-23	15-Apr-24	No Limit	No Limit

Civet Cat

Species	Hunting Dates
Civet Cat (Trapping Only)	Closed

Iowa Trapping Season

Species	Hunting Start Date	Hunting End Date	Daily Limit	Possession Limit
Muskrat, Fox (Red and Gray), Coyote, Badger, Mink, Weasel, Opossum, Striped Skunk	4-Nov-23	28-Feb-24	No Limit	No Limit
Beaver	5-Nov-23	15-Apr-24	No Limit	No Limit
Otter	4-Nov-23	28-Feb-24	3
Bobcat	4-Nov-23	28-Feb-24
Raccoon	Continuous Open		No Restrictions	No Limit
Civet Cat (Spotted Skunk) & Gray Wolf	Closed

Iowa DNR Learn to Hunt–An Workshop for Women

Iowa DNR 'Learn to Hunt' Workshop for Women
Workshop Focus:	Upland game and bird hunting
Target Audience:	Women with little-to-no hunting experience or those looking to network with female hunters
Eligibility:	Participants must be 18 years old or older
Workshop Dates:	October 13, 6 to 9 p.m. (Workshop)
	October 19 (Mentored hunting)
	November 18 (Mentored hunting)
Cost:	$35 per person
Registration:	Early registration is encouraged, and applications can be submitted here
Included Benefits:	A hat, vest, and membership to the Northern Polk Pheasants Forever Chapter will be given to participants.
Program Content:	teaches fundamental upland bird hunting techniques, as well as gear, hunting spots, safe hunting techniques, game handling, and cooking
Program Origin:	In response to a drop in hunting and outdoor activity in the state, the Iowa DNR and Pheasants Forever have partnered to attract and keep hunters.

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.