Welcome to the Iowa Hunting Seasons page. Updated US Hunting Seasons for 2023-2023.
As part of our comprehensive guide to US Hunting Seasons By State on this page you will find out “When Is Hunting Season for Iowa?”
There is also general information on the different hunting seasons for a wide range of wild game species. You will find links to the relevant State Authority so you can make sure you have all the correct legal obligations in place before you start your hunt.
The Iowa hunting season website describes the hunting in this State as follows:
“Public hunting in the state, totals 715,522 acres. The DNR’s Wildlife Bureau manages over 388,000 acres that are open to public hunting.
The return of the white-tailed deer as a major game species in Iowa is a tribute to good landowner attitude and progressive management, research and enforcement programs. Likewise, responsibility for the future of deer in Iowa depends upon the cooperation of hunters and landowners, preservation of critical timber habitat, legislative support and continued professional management of the resource.”
IMPORTANT. All care has been taking in preparing this hunting season information for you. Please check the relevant State Authority’s Website for further information and any changes to current US Hunting Season Regulations. We have provided a link to each States hunting season website for your convenience.
Iowa Deer Hunting Season
The Iowa Department of Natural resources makes these comments about deer hunting season.
“Like other states in the midwest Iowa produces some outstanding white-tailed deer. Abundant food and mild winter weather make it possible for Iowa’s whitetails to become large in body weight and, if allowed to grow to maturity, often possess impressive antlers.”
Hunting Category |
Hunting Season 2023-2023* |
|---|---|
| Firearms Standard | Dec 7-11 & Dec 14-22 |
| Muzzleloader | Oct 12-20 & Dec 23-Jan 10 |
| Bow | Oct 1-Dec 6 & Dec 23-Jan 10 |
| Non-Resident Holiday Season | Dec 24-Jan 2 |
| Youth Season | Sept 21-Oct 6 |
| Disabled Hunter Season | Sept 21-Oct 6 |
| January Antlerless | Jan 11-26 |
* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.
Iowa Turkey Hunting Season
The Iowa Department of Natural resources makes these comments about turkey hunting season.
“Wild turkeys were released at several sites across the state, with the first release occurring in Lee County, Iowa. Since these early days, turkey populations have expanded across the entire state of Iowa.”
Hunting Category |
Hunting Season 2023-2023* |
|---|---|
| Spring (Firearms) | Apr 13-May 17 |
| Spring (bow only- Residents) | Apr 13-May 17 |
| Spring Youth (Residents) | Apr 10- 12 |
| Fall (Firearms) | Oct 14 – Dec 6 |
| Fall (Bow) | Oct 14 – Dec 6 |
| Bow Only | Oct 1 – Dec 6 & Dec 23 – Jan 10 |
* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.
Iowa Small Game Hunting Season
The Iowa Department of Natural resources makes these comments about small game hunting season.
“Pheasants, quail, cottontail rabbits, and squirrels are Iowa’s most popular upland game species. The Upland Wildlife Research Unit monitors yearly harvest and populations, as well as providing information to landowners and hunters.”
Hunting Category |
Hunting Season 2023-2023* |
|---|---|
| Rabbit (Cottontail) | Aug 31-Feb 28 |
| Rabbit (Jack) | Closed |
| Squirrel (Fox & Gray) | Aug 31- Jan 31 |
| Coyote | Open All Year |
| Groundhog | Open All Year |
* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.
Iowa Game Bird Hunting Season
The Iowa Department of Natural resources makes these comments about small game hunting season.
“In historic times Iowa was the nesting ground of countless flocks of ducks, geese, and swans. Much of the marshland that was their home has been tiled and has disappeared under the corn planter. However, this state is still the summer home of many species, and restoration of various areas is annually increasing the number. Iowa is more important as a cafeteria for the ducks on their semiannual flights than as a nesting ground, and multitudes of them stop in this state to feed and grow fat on waste grain.”
Hunting Category |
Hunting Season 2023-2023* |
|---|---|
| Ducks | Sept 21 – Dec 17 |
| Geese | Sept 21 – Jan 25 |
| Pheasant (Rooster) | Oct 26-Jan 10 |
| Pheasant (Youth Rooster) | Oct 19-20 |
| Bobwhite Quail | Oct 26-Jan 10 |
| Ruffed Grouse | Oct 5-Jan 31 |
| Pigeon | Open All Year |
* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.
I hope you have found this State hunting season information helpful in planning your next great hunting adventure. Please feel free to share this page with your hunting buddies. In addition to these US Hunting Seasons by State pages, you may be interested in these posts.
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Good Luck!!