IOWA Hunting LAWS & REGULATIONS

What are the Hunting Laws and Regulations in Iowa?

Iowa Department of Natural Resources is to enrich the quality of life for present and future generations by balancing the biological, ecological, recreational, and economic benefits of Iowa’s fish, wildlife and their habitats. As hunting season begins in Iowa, all hunters must have a valid state hunting license along with other required permits and stamps, depending on the hunted specie. Any resident or nonresident of Iowa born after January 1, 1972, must have completed an approved hunter education program in Iowa or another state in order to buy a hunting license. It is unlawful that hunters trespass private land in Iowa without permission as well as surpassing the daily limit. State law prohibits the use of aircrafts as an aid to locate game as well as hunts in a powered-on vehicle. It is also illegal in Iowa to shoot across public roads and waters, and kill or shoot-at any game without the intention of retrieving it.

*Visit Iowa’s Hunting and Trapping Guide for More Information*

FEATURED IOWA HUNTS

Iowa Wild Hog Hunts

The wild boar has many common names that include wild hog or feral hog. As the hogs are becoming more of an invasive species, hunters in Iowa are beginning to take part in Iowa wild pig hunts. To hunt the feral hogs, no permit is required to hunt in Iowa

General Season: Year-Round

*Visit Iowa’s Hunting and Trapping Guidebook for more information*

IOWA WHITE-TAIL DEER HUNTS

To hunt the white-tailed deer in Iowa, State law requires all hunters have a valid hunting license, general deer license and deer tags. Iowa bow hunters shall also have a deer license for archery only. Hunters who harvest a deer must report the harvest to the DNR by midnight on the day after it is tagged. The Iowa Harvest Report Tag, with the confirmation number properly recorded, must be attached to the leg of the animal after reporting and before the reporting deadline. All Iwoa firearms hunters must wear flourescent orange/pink across their chest, head, back, visisble all around when in an open area. The daily bag and possession limit for white-tailed deer in Iowa is one deer for each license and transportation tag issued to the hunter for that season.

General Season: Dec. 5 – Jan. 2, 2021
Archery Season: Oct. 1-Dec. 4 ; Dec. 21 – Jan. 10, 2021

*Seasons differ based on different seasons – Visit Iowa’s Deer Seasons for specific dates*

IOWA PHEASANT HUNTS

Iowa pheasant hunts are common. To successfully hunt pheasants in Iowa, hunters are required to have a hunting license and habitat fee. No hunter in Iowa shall hunt more than 3 birds daily and have more than 12 in posession.