Habitat Access Program

The Iowa Habitat and Access Program has grown to over 32,000 acres, significantly increasing the amount of land available to hunters in Iowa. These opportunities are thanks to landowners who participate in the Iowa Habitat and Access (IHAP) program. 

Landowners receive funding and expertise for habitat improvements when they enroll in the program, and in turn allow public access to their land for hunting.

Learn more about the IHAP program and benefits to landowners and hunters.

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Walk-in Public Hunting Dates

Walk-in public hunting through IHAP is available between September 1 and May 31st. Areas are posted with signs (to the right), and are regularly patrolled by Iowa DNR conservation officers. Safety zones also are clearly marked. 

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Hunter Guidelines & Tips for Tracts

To help maintain the success of IHAP, hunters are asked to respect private property when hunting and follow these IHAP tips and guidelines:

  • Hunt only on IHAP property. Do not walk or hunt on adjacent property. Do not enter properties with vehicles. Do not open gates. Avoid stretching fences when crossing them.
  • Allow a buffer around livestock and buildings. IHAP tracts are for walk-in hunting only. 
  • IHAP tracts are for hunting only. Other activities such as target shooting, camping, horseback riding, or professional dog training are NOT included in the contracts and, therefore, are prohibited.
  • Obey all Iowa hunting regulations and respect the rights of the landowners when using the area. Treat the land as if it were your own and act responsibly. Current IHAP contracts are only for three to ten years. Hunter behavior will decide the future enrollment of these areas.
  • Take all your trash with you when you leave an area. Make an effort to pick up any trash left by others.
  • IHAP tracts are open from September 1 through May 31st.
  • The information provided is intended to assist users in identifying the locations of Iowa Habitat & Access Program properties. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this information, they are intended for use as a general reference. Signs will mark the actual IHAP boundary. Use posted signs as the true boundaries.

On occasion, some tracts of land enrolled in IHAP may be removed from the program. Make sure the land you are entering is posted with "Iowa Habitat and Access Program" signs.

DNR Contact:
515-725-8200

This material is based upon work supported by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Department of Agriculture, under number 69-3A75-14-290 and NR206114XXXXG001. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the US Department of Agriculture.

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IHAP Locations & Counties

IHAP lands may be in the "establishment stage" of wildlife habitat restoration, or have wildlife management practices occurring, which may alter the habitat in a particular hunting season.

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