Deer Hunting Programs

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Iowa's Record Bucks

Like other states in the Midwest, Iowa produces some outstanding white-tailed deer. Abundant food and mild winter weather make it possible for Iowa's whitetails to become large in body weight and, if allowed to grow to maturity, often possess impressive antlers.

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How to Participate

 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) maintains a record book of the largest antlered deer harvested in the state with firearms and archery equipment. 

  • Those who successfully harvest a deer in Iowa with trophy-sized antlers are encouraged to enter the rack in Iowa's big game registry. 
  • Award certificates will be issued by the DNR to eligible entries that meet minimum standards (shown below). 
  • In order to qualify for an award, the rack must be measured by an official measurer. You can search for an official measure in Iowa by searching those certified through the Boone and Crockett Club or the Pope and Young Club.

Scoring Process

There is no charge for measuring or submitting entries for the Iowa record book. Because of shrinkage in varying degrees, the rack must be air dried for at least 60 days following the date of kill before it can be officially measured. 

There is no time limit concerning how long ago the deer was killed for measurement purposes or for entry into the Iowa records.  

The scoring system used for Iowa records is identical to that used by the Boone and Crockett and Pope and Young Clubs, but the minimum qualifying scores differ from these national clubs. Iowa award certificates will be presented in ten classes. The classes with minimum scores for each are as follows:

Minimum Hunting Scores for Each Weapon Class
WeaponTypicalNon-Typical
Shotgun Kill150170
Muzzleloader Kill150170
Archery Kill135155
Handgun Kill150170
Crossbow Kill135155

Deer taken under a kill permit for depredation purposes will not qualify for this program. Deer hunters who want to have their trophy rack officially measured should call one of the official Iowa measurers listed above to set up an appointment to have the rack measured. If the rack meets the minimum scores listed above the measurement form should be sent to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, ATTN: Deer Records, Wallace State Office Building, 502 East 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319.

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Help Us Stop Hunger (HUSH)

HUSH is a cooperative effort among Iowa deer hunters, the Food Bank of Iowa, meat processors and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. HUSH has two main goals:

  1. Help reduce the Iowa deer population
  2. Provide high-quality protein to needy Iowa citizens.

Thank you to all of the hunters who donated deer to the HUSH program during the 2023-2024 hunting season. 3,022 deer were donated, generating nearly 530,000 meals to Iowa's less fortunate!

HUSH Lockers

Hunters must be properly licensed to hunt deer. All deer licenses include a $1 per deer surcharge to fund the HUSH program. Participating lockers skin, bone and grind the meat into two-pound packages of pure venison. Local social service agencies distribute the venison to needy Iowa families in the area. The 35 lockers that participated received $95 for each processed deer. Find a locker near you:

Food Banks

The Iowa DNR partners with the Food Bank of Iowa and their affiliates throughout the state to make sure the venison is distributed to qualified Iowans. The Food Bank of Iowa receives $5 administrative cost for each deer distributed.

  • All deer hunters must have a deer permit to harvest deer, whether or not they donate the deer to HUSH. Donated deer must be tagged before being transported, just as any other harvested deer.
  • Any legally-taken, wild Iowa deer from any season and any sex may be donated at any one of the lockers shown on the HUSH Locker List map.
  • Hunters must donate the whole deer.
  • Deer must be field dressed; lockers prefer a clean carcass without mud on the hide.
  • Lockers also prefer the carcass not be frozen.
  • Deer hunters must fill out a Hunter HUSH Card at the locker for each deer being donated.
  • HUSH does not accept road killed deer.
  • Lockers cannot require hunters to skin or bone HUSH deer.
  • There is no additional fee to be paid at the locker.

If you have any questions, please email Stephanie.Lawrence@dnr.iowa.gov or call (515) 631-0234. Additional Information:

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Iowa's Deer Exchange Program

The Iowa Deer Exchange Program is a free online database where deer hunters willing to provide venison can connect with Iowans who want venison.

Hunters and those wanting to receive venison enter their contact information to the database and provide their location on a map. The location information will help you to connect with other program participants in your area.

Recipients choose the condition they want the meat when they register – boned out, field dressed, quartered, frozen, jerky /sausage or any, and in what amount. They also set the length of time their offer is open and may opt out at any time by contacting the Iowa DNR.

Once connected, the parties work out the details of the transfer. Donors are responsible for reporting the harvest and encouraged to properly care for the deer from the field to the recipient.

It is illegal to sell venison in Iowa.

For assistance with a previously submitted registration, please email deerexchange@dnr.iowa.gov 

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