Hunting Seasons and Dates

When Can I Hunt in Iowa?

Iowa’s hunting seasons are relatively straightforward, making it easy to plan your hunting schedule throughout the year based on your target species.

The information in this guide reflects the most current updates from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR). As new season dates and details become available, we’ll continue to keep this guide updated.

That said, always verify dates and regulations through official Iowa DNR resources when planning your hunt, as information can change from year to year.

Deer

• Archery:
  • Early Split: October 1 – December 5, 2025
  • Late Split: December 22, 2025 – January 10, 2026
• Muzzleloader:
  • Early: October 11 – 19, 2025
  • Late: December 22, 2025 – January 10, 2026
• Shotgun 1: December 6 – 10, 2025
• Shotgun 2: December 13 – 21, 2025
• Nonresident Holiday: December 24, 2025 – January 2, 2026
• Population Management January (Antlerless): January 11 – 19, 2025
• Excess Tag January (Antlerless): January 11 – 25, 2026
• Iowa Youth Deer Season: September 20 – October 5, 2025

Turkey

Spring

Residents and nonresidents can hunt turkey in the spring.

• Season 1: April 13 – 16, 2026
• Season 2: April 17 – 21, 2026
• Season 3: April 22 – 28, 2026
• Season 4: April 29 – May 17, 2026
• Youth (Residents Only): April 10 – 12, 2026
• Archery Only (Residents): April 13 – May 17, 2026

Fall

Residents only. Nonresidents are not eligible for fall turkey licenses.

• Gun/Bow: October 13 – December 5, 2025
• Archery Only: October 1 – December 5, 2025 and December 22, 2025 – January 10, 2026

Migratory Birds

• Special September Teal (Statewide): September 6 – 14, 2025
• Youth Waterfowl:
  • North Zone: September 20 – 21, 2025
  • Central Zone: September 27 – 28, 2025
  • South Zone: October 4 – 5, 2025
• Duck, Merganser, Coot:
  • North Zone: September 27 – October 3, 2025 and October 11 – December 2, 2025
  • Central Zone: October 4 – 10, 2025 and October 18 – December 9, 2025
  • South Zone: October 11 – 17, 2025 and October 25 – December 16, 2025
• Dark and Light Geese:
  • North Zone: September 20 – October 5, 2025, October 11 – December 2, 2025, and December 13, 2025 – January 10, 2026
  • Central Zone: September 27 – October 12, 2025, October 18 – December 9, 2025, and December 20, 2025 – January 17, 2026
  • South Zone: October 4 – 19, 2025, October 25 – December 16, 2025, and December 27, 2025 – January 24, 2026
• Dove (Statewide): September 1 – November 29, 2025
• Snipe (Statewide): September 6 – November 30, 2025
• Rail (Statewide): September 6 – November 14, 2025
• Woodcock (Statewide): October 4 – November 17, 2025

Small Game

• Pheasant Season in Iowa:
  • Youth: October 18 – 19, 2025
  • Rooster: October 25, 2025 – January 10, 2026
• Bobwhite Quail: October 25, 2025 – January 31, 2026
• Ruffed Grouse: October 4, 2025 – January 31, 2026
• Gray Partridge: October 11, 2025 – January 31, 2026
• Rabbit (Cottontail Only): August 30, 2025 – February 28, 2026
• Squirrel (Fox and Gray): August 30, 2025 – January 31, 2026
• Crow: October 15 – November 30, 2025 and January 14 – March 31, 2026
• Groundhog: Continuous Open Season
• Pigeon: Continuous Open Season
• Coyote: Continuous Open Season