Hunting Regulations & Laws

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Iowa's Hunting Regulations

This is not a complete set of hunting and trapping laws but contains the information you are most likely to need to safely participate in these outdoor activities.

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Hunting & Trapping Regulations

Falconry Regulations, Chapter 102 (Iowa Administrative Code)

  • 571-102.2 Migratory Bird Regulations
  • 571-102.3 Small Game
Hunting

Get Your Hunting License Online

Any resident or nonresident born after January 1, 1972 must complete the required hunter education program in Iowa to buy your hunting license. Then, buy and renew your license online.

Purchase your license
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Requirements for Hunting Licensed Hunting Preserves in Iowa

All hunters hunting licensed hunting preserves must obtain an Iowa small game hunting license and habitat fee, or obtain the hunting preserve hunting license valid only on licensed preserves, and the habitat fee. Resident Iowa youth under the age of 16 are not required to have a license, but must be accompanied by a licensed adult 18 years of age or older. Non-resident youth under the age of 16 are required to possess a non-resident youth preserve license and habitat fee. The non-resident youth under 16 years of age are not required to have completed a hunter safety/education course.

All preserve game birds and game animals harvested on the licensed preserve must be properly tagged with transportation/kill tags as required by law. Hunting preserve operators are responsible for tagging the harvested game bird or animal before it is transported from the licensed preserve.

TIP Line

Turn In Poachers

Poachers are thieves who are stealing our fish and wildlife resources. Help us keep them out of business. If you see poaching, call 1-800-532-2020. 

Submit a TIP and learn more
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Iowa's Occasional Wildlife Visitors

Populations of large mammals, once native to Iowa, have been gone from the Iowa landscape for 80 to 100 years. Learn more regarding wolves, bears, mountain lions and moose.

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