Iowa Hunting Seasons

Hunter walking a field in the fall.

Topics:

Hunting

Whether you're a seasoned hunter or a beginner, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors in Iowa. Iowa's hunting seasons can be found below for those looking to plan their hunting trips and activities.

**HUNTERS - Just a reminder, annual licenses, stamps and fees expire on January 10. As the opportunity to hunt extends later into January, be sure to replace those that have expired.

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Deer Seasons

Licenses are available from the sales date (Aug 15) through the end of the season, or until quota fills. 

2026/27 Deer Hunting SeasonsSeason Dates
YouthSept 19 - Oct 4
Disabled HunterSept 19 - Oct 4
Archery, Early SplitOct 1 - Dec 4
Archery, Late SplitDec 21 - Jan 10, 2027
Early MuzzleloaderOct 17 - 25
Late MuzzleloaderDec 21 - Jan 10, 2027
Shotgun 1Dec 5 - 9
Shotgun 2Dec 12 - 20
Nonresident HolidayDec  24 - Jan 2, 2027
Population Mgmt. January AntlerlessJan 11 - 24, 2027
Excess Tag January AntlerlessJan 11 - 24, 2027

SHOOTING HOURS: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset.

Nonresident Deer Application

NONRESIDENTS: The nonresident deer application period is the first Saturday in May through the first Sunday in June. The application is available in December within our nonresident hunting information.

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Small Game & Upland Seasons

2025/26 Small & Upland Game HuntingSeasonShooting Hours
Rooster Pheasant (Youth)
Daily: 1 / Possession: 2		Oct 18-198am - 4:30pm
Rooster Pheasant
Daily: 3 / Possession: 12		Oct 25 - Jan 10, 20268am - 4:30pm
Bobwhite Quail
Daily: 8 / Possession: 16		Oct 25 - Jan 31, 20268am - 4:30pm
Gray Partridge
Daily: 8 / Possession: 16		Oct 11 - Jan 31, 20268am - 4:30pm
Ruffed Grouse
Daily: 3 / Possession: 6		Oct 4 - Jan 31, 2026Sunrise to Sunset
Rabbit (Cottontail)
Daily: 10 / Possession: 20		Aug 30 - Feb 28, 2026Sunrise to Sunset
Rabbit (Jack)CLOSED 
Squirrel (Fox & Gray)
Daily: 6 / Possession: 12		Aug 30 - Jan 31, 2026No restrictions
Groundhog
Daily: No Limit / Possession: No Limit		Continuous open seasonNo restrictions
Crow
Daily: No Limit / Possession: No Limit		Oct 15 - Nov 30, 2026No restrictions
Crow
Daily: No Limit / Possession: No Limit		Jan 14 - Mar 31, 2026No restrictions
Pigeon
Daily: No Limit / Possession: No Limit		Continuous open seasonNo restrictions
Coyote
Daily: No Limit / Possession: No Limit		Continuous open seasonNo restrictions
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Furbearer Seasons

2025/26 Furbearer Seasons, HuntingSeason DatesTrapping Hours
Opossum, Badger, Mink, Striped Skunk, Muskrat3, Fox (Red and Gray), Weasel
Daily: No Limit / Possession: No Limit		Nov 1 - Feb 28, 20268am on first day
Beaver
Daily: No Limit / Possession: No Limit		Nov 1 - Apr 15, 20268am on first day
Bobcat, otter
Daily: Regulations p. 33-34 (7.53 MB) .pdf / Possession: Regulations p. 33-34 (7.53 MB) .pdf 		Nov 1 - Feb 28, 20268am on first day
Coyote
Daily: No Limit / Possession: No Limit		Continuous open seasonNo restrictions
Raccoon - Private land
Daily: No Limit / Possession: No Limit		Continuous open seasonNo restrictions
Raccoon - Public land
Daily: No Limit / Possession: No Limit		Nov 1 - Feb 28, 20268am on first day
2025/26 Furbearer Seasons, TrappingSeason DatesTrapping Hours
Coyote, Mink, Muskrat, Weasel, Striped Skunk, Badger, Opossum, Fox (Red and Gray)
Daily: No Limit / Possession: No Limit		Nov 1 - Feb 28, 20268am on first day
Beaver
Daily: No Limit / Possession: No Limit		Nov 1 - Apr 15, 20268am on first day
Bobcat, Otter
Daily: Regulations p. 33-34 (7.53 MB) .pdf / Possession: Regulations p. 33-34 (7.53 MB) .pdf 		Nov 1 - Feb 28, 20268am on first day
Raccoon - Private land
Daily: No Limit / Possession: No Limit		Continuous open seasonNo restrictions
Raccoon - Public land
Daily: No Limit / Possession: No Limit		Nov 1 - Feb 28, 20268am on first day

BOBCAT: Hunters and trappers must have a furharvester license and pay the habitat fee to harvest bobcats, if normally required to have them to trap. A regular hunting license will not be adequate.
CONTINUOUS CLOSED SEASON: Gray Wolf, Civet Cat (Spotted Skunk)

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Turkey Seasons

Fall 2026 Turkey SeasonsSeason DatesShooting Hours
Combination Gun/Bow LicensesOct 12 - Dec 4Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
Resident Archery-only LicensesOct 1 - Dec 4
Half-hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset
Resident Archery-only LicensesDec 21 - Jan 10, 2027
Half-hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset
Spring 2026 Turkey SeasonsSeason DatesShooting Hours
Youth Season (Residents Only)Apr 10 - 12, 2026Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
Combination Gun/Bow, Season 1Apr 13 - 16, 2026Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
Combination Gun/Bow, Season 2Apr 17 - 21, 2026Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
Combination Gun/Bow, Season 3Apr 22 - 28, 2026Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
Combination Gun/Bow, Season 4Apr 29 - May 17, 2026Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
Resident Archery-only LicensesApr 13 - May 17, 2026Half-hour before sunrise to sunset

BAG LIMIT: Daily bag and season possession limit is one bearded or male wild turkey for each valid license and transportation tag issued to the hunter.

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Migratory Game Bird Seasons

2026-2027 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons
2026/27 SeasonsNorth ZoneCentral ZoneSouth Zone
Youth WaterfowlSep. 26 - 27Oct. 3 - 4Oct. 10 - 11
DucksOct. 3 - Oct. 9
Oct. 17 - Dec. 8		Oct. 10 - Oct. 16
Oct. 24 - Dec. 15		Oct. 17 - Oct. 23
Oct. 31 -Dec. 22
Geese Sep. 26 - Oct. 11
Oct. 17 - Dec. 8
Dec. 12 - Jan. 9		Oct. 3 - Oct. 18
Oct. 24 - Dec. 15
Dec. 19 - Jan. 16		Oct. 10 - Oct. 25
Oct. 31 - Dec. 22
Dec. 26 - Jan. 23

 

Statewide seasons
2026/27 Statewide SeasonsDates
Special September Teal                                 Sep. 5 - 13
DovesSep. 1 - Nov. 29
SnipeSep. 5 - Nov. 30
RailSep. 5 - Nov. 13
WoodcockOct. 3 - Nov. 16      

*Additional regulations apply.

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Google Calendar, Seasons

If this embedded calendar is not working in your browser, please visit this public calendar to view it on calendar.google.com

Note: If you use Google Calendar, you can click ‘Add to Google Calendar’ at the bottom left of the calendar to add this dynamic calendar to your personal calendar for easy access on the go.

We work hard to keep our calendars current, but always refer to the Iowa Hunting, Trapping, & Migratory Game Bird Regulations (7.53 MB) .pdf for official, legal season dates.

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