Everything you need to plan your hunting trips in Iowa, from maps and regulations to season dates, game animals, quotas, and non-resident deer zones. Plus much more! Start your research right here.
Overview
Known For
Iowa is known for being a top, if not the top, destination for whitetail hunting. With over 700,000 acres of agricultural crops and three million acres of forestland, no other states compare with the pound-for-pound availability of natural and crop food sources for whitetail deer.
Terrain
Iowa’s terrain is a mix of rolling hills and flat plains. Its tallest spot, Hawkeye Point, is 1,673 feet above sea level. Its fertile soil makes it one of the most agriculturally-abundant states in the country.
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Dark geese bag limit 5 per day. Light geese bag limit 20 per day.
Sep 23, 2023
Oct 8, 2023
Sep 30, 2023 – Oct 15, 2023
Goose – First Central
Dark geese bag limit 5 per day. Light geese bag limit 20 per day.
Sep 30, 2023
Oct 15, 2023
Oct 7, 2023 – Oct 22, 2023
Goose – First South
Dark geese bag limit 5 per day. Light geese bag limit 20 per day.
Oct 7, 2023
Oct 22, 2023
Oct 14, 2023 – Dec 5, 2023
Goose – Second North
Dark geese bag limit 5 per day. Light geese bag limit 20 per day.
Oct 14, 2023
Dec 5, 2023
Oct 21, 2023 – Dec 12, 2023
Goose – Second Central
Dark geese bag limit 5 per day. Light geese bag limit 20 per day.
Oct 21, 2023
Dec 12, 2023
Oct 28, 2023 – Dec 19, 2023
Goose – Second South
Dark geese bag limit 5 per day. Light geese bag limit 20 per day.
Oct 28, 2023
Dec 19, 2023
Oct 21, 2023 – Oct 22, 2023
Pheasant – Youth
Bag limit 1 per day.
Oct 21, 2023
Oct 22, 2023
Oct 1, 2023 – Dec 1, 2023
Turkey – Fall Archery 1
Daily bag and season possession limit is one bearded or male wild turkey for each valid license and transportation tag issued to the hunter.
Oct 1, 2023
Dec 1, 2023
Oct 10, 2023 – Dec 1, 2023
Turkey – Fall Gun/Bow
Daily bag and season possession limit is one bearded or male wild turkey for each valid license and transportation tag issued to the hunter.
Oct 10, 2023
Dec 1, 2023
Apr 5, 2024 – Apr 7, 2024
Turkey – Spring Youth
Daily bag and season possession limit is one bearded or male wild turkey for each valid license and transportation tag issued to the hunter.
Apr 5, 2024
Apr 7, 2024
Apr 8, 2024 – May 12, 2024
Turkey – Spring Archery
Resident hunters only.
Apr 8, 2024
May 12, 2024
Apr 8, 2024 – Apr 11, 2024
Turkey – Spring Season 1
Non-residents need special permit.
Apr 8, 2024
Apr 11, 2024
Apr 12, 2024 – Apr 16, 2024
Turkey – Spring Season 2
Non-residents need special permit.
Apr 12, 2024
Apr 16, 2024
Apr 17, 2024 – Apr 23, 2024
Turkey – Spring Season 3
Non-residents need special permit.
Apr 17, 2024
Apr 23, 2024
Apr 24, 2024 – May 12, 2024
Turkey – Spring Season 4
Non-residents need special permit.
Apr 24, 2024
May 12, 2024
Oct 7, 2023 – Nov 20, 2023
Woodcock
Bag limit 3 per day.
Oct 7, 2023
Nov 20, 2023
Iowa Licenses, Permits, and Regulations
Iowa hunting licenses, permits, and regulations for resident and non-resident hunters can be purchased on the official website of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Click below to view the website.
Every Iowa hunter should have hunting GPS maps on hand. Iowa hunting maps are available from onX Hunt. With a paid membership you can access Satellite, Topo, or Hybrid Basemaps, over which you can view maps of non-resident deer zones, along with State, Forest Service, and other public and private property boundaries. You can view trails and roads, and even download maps to the Hunt App for use offline. Click below to get onX Hunt for Iowa.
Iowa has 10 unique non-resident deer zones. Each of the 10 zones has different quotas for how many deer can be taken in a season. Those quotas generally range from 180 to 1,600 deer (including both sexes). Non-residents must apply for these tags each year.
Click below to view Iowa’s non-resident deer zones in more detail through an interactive map.
Over 1,500,000 parcels mapped by the onX team, this layer helps you know who the property owners are in Iowa. Tap any parcel to learn more info about the owner and acreage.
IA Gov Lands
onX has the most accurate maps of Gov Lands, covering over 1,000,000 acres in Iowa. Not all Gov Lands offer access opportunities, check regulations before recreating.
IA Possible Access
onX has mapped 13,000 acres of possible access lands in Iowa including timber companies and land conservation groups. Research rules on these private lands before recreating.
SUBLAYERS (6)
IA Game Mgmt Units
Iowa Game Management Units
Includes 6 Sublayers
IA Non-Resident Deer Zones
Ruffed Grouse Hunting Zones
Fall Turkey Hunt Zones
Spring Turkey Hunt Zones
Waterfowl Hunt Zone
Bobcat Hunt Zones
IA Habitat & Access Program (IHAP)
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Habitat & Access Program. All hunters are expected to know the rules of the program. Please hunt responsibly and have a safe legal hunt.
