Hunting is as much a part of Thanksgiving as cranberries, football and the inevitable afternoon nap. As friends and family gather this holiday, take the opportunity to share the experience and extend an invitation to new hunters to join the group.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources offers individuals age 16 and older an opportunity to try hunting under the direct supervision of an experienced, licensed adult without completing hunter education.
The apprentice hunting license includes the habitat fee and is available to residents for $30 and nonresidents for $123. There must be one licensed adult mentor hunter for each apprentice hunter. The apprentice hunting license may be purchased up to two times without having completed hunter education.
Resident apprentice licenses may be used to pursue small game and as the hunting license requirement for deer and turkey licenses and waterfowl stamps. A person hunting with an apprentice license must shoot and tag their own deer or turkey.
The nonresident apprentice hunting license is not allowed as a license for nonresidents to hunt deer or turkey.