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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Iowa Hunting Seasons
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.
Hunting GPS Maps
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.
Non-Resident Deer Zones
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.
Hunting Layers
IA Private Lands
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.
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.
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