Thermal Hunt

Big Game

White-tailed deer and wild turkey are the primary big game species in Iowa.

Deer hunting in Iowa for residents is straightforward – residents can buy tags over the counter for general seasons (archery, one of the shotgun seasons, or late muzzleloader) which are usually limited to one buck tag and may get additional antlerless tags. Non-residents, however, must apply in a lottery to get an Iowa deer license. Iowa allocates a fixed number of non-resident deer tags spread across its 10 deer zones and various weapon seasons. Non-residents must choose a zone and season and apply by early June, often needing preference points to eventually draw.

Every deer must be reported via Iowa’s Harvest Reporting system by the next day.

Turkey hunting in Iowa is also regulated via permits. Residents may purchase spring turkey permits over the counter until quotas are filled. Non-residents must apply for a spring turkey permit (usually by January); bag limit is one bearded turkey per tag in spring. Fall turkey permits are mostly for residents (fall turkey for non-residents is quite limited).

Small Game

For small game hunting Iowa requires a hunting license and a separate Habitat Fee for residents 16 and up and all non-residents. Once you have those, most small game can be hunted freely in season.

Pheasant hunting is a major draw – the season typically runs late Oct through Jan with a rooster limit of 3 per day. No special stamp is needed for pheasant (the Habitat Fee suffices).

Waterfowlhunting requires an Iowa Migratory Game Bird Fee and the Federal Duck Stamp, plus HIP registration.

Doves require HIP registration.

Furbearers(like coyote, fox, raccoon, bobcat) can be hunted with a hunting license (bobcat requires a special tag and is limited to certain zones in southern Iowa).

Documents Required

• Iowa Hunting License
• Iowa Habitat Fee
• Deer Tags / Turkey Tags
• Migratory Bird Fee and Federal Duck Stamp along with HIP registration for birds
• Hunter Education Certificate

Minimum Hunter Age

Iowa does not specify a minimum age to hunt, but there are license exemptions and supervision requirements for young hunters. Iowa allows youth hunters age 12–15 to hunt without adult supervision if they have a Hunter Ed certificate and the appropriate license.

Before age 12, a child can still accompany and hunt under an adult’s license (for small game) or under a mentor’s supervision (for deer/turkey with youth tags), but they cannot be hunting alone. Iowa has an Apprentice License program for those 16+ who have not completed hunter ed – this allows them to buy a license for two years total (each year, must also get habitat fee) and hunt under direct supervision of an adult mentor hunter.

More information

• iowadnr.gov - Iowa Department of Natural Resources