Open season is just a few weeks away for most people in the US. It's an exciting time of year for veteran hunters and beginners alike. But before heading out on your first hunt in the Hawkeye State, make sure you're familiar with Iowa hunting laws and regulations.
Most seasoned hunters may be well aware that hunting laws evolve on an almost yearly basis. The objective of the government for these changes is to address public safety. Mainly, for the benefit of the hunter and the hunted.
Iowa Hunting Laws: What Iowa Hunters Must Know
It's a must to stay up-to-date on Iowa hunting laws and regulations before heading out on your first hunt. Studying your state's hunting laws might be a bit time-consuming, and we know you're impatient to get out there and start shooting.
But breaking the law and having to pay a fine can put a serious damper on your hunting season. Not to mention all the fun you'll be missing when camping out with your hunting buddies.
Keep reading to learn about Iowa hunting laws, including dates, which animals you’re allowed to hunt, which weapon you're allowed to use, how to get a hunting license, and much more.
1. Deer Hunting in Iowa
- Shotgun 1:
- December 3 – 7
- Shotgun 2:
- December 10 – 18
- Muzzleloader:
- December 19, 2016 – January 10, 2017
- Bow (including senior antlerless-only licenses):
- December 19, 2016 – January 10, 2017
- Holiday Antlerless-Only:
- December 24, 2016 – January 2, 2017
For more details on deer hunting laws and regulations, click here.
Method of Take
a. Archery:
- Longbows, compound bows and recurve bows shoot broadhead arrows.
- No minimum draw weights and no minimum diameter for broadheads
- The minimum arrow length is 18 inches
- Crossbows are only allowed only for physically disabled persons as per definition by law.
b. Shotguns:
- Single slugs only with a 10-, 20-, 16- and 20-gauge.
c. Muzzleloaders:
- Percussion caps or flintlock rifles or muskets between .44 and .775 caliber.
- Shooting single projectiles
- Muzzleloading pistols
- With a minimum barrel length of 4 inches
- No long barrel or shoulder stock modifications
- Riflescopes may be used
- Electronic ignition is not allowed
- No restrictions on disk-type or in-line muzzleloaders
d. Handgun:
- Center-fire handguns .357 caliber or larger
- Shooting straight wall ammunition with an expanding-type bullet
- Minimum barrel length = 4 inches
- Modifications for shoulder stock or long barrels is not permitted
- Centerfire cartridges: .357 Maximum, .357 Magnum, .38 Super, .375 Winchester, .401 Power-mag, .40 S&W, .41 Remington Magnum, 10 mm Auto, .44 S&W Special, .41 Action Express, .444 Marlin, .44 Automag, .45 ACP, .445 Super Mag, .45 Super Mag, .45 Colt, .45 Silhouette, .45 Winchester Magnum, .454 Casull, .451 Detonics, .460 Rowland, .45-70 Govt., .460 S&W Mag, .475 Linebaugh, .475 Widley Magnum, .50 Action Express, .480 Ruger, .50 Beowulf, .50 Linebaugh and .500 S&W Mag.
e. Crossbow:
- Equipped with pistol grips & designed to be fired with one hand is prohibited
- All projectiles must be equipped with a broadhead.
Learn more about deer hunting regulations with the Iowa Hunting and Trapping Regulations for 2016 -2017.
2. Duck Hunting in Iowa
a. NORTH ZONE
- September Teal:
- September 3 – 11
- Ducks & Mergansers:
- September 24 – October 2
- October 15 – December 4
- Youth Waterfowl:
- September 17 – 18
b. SOUTH ZONE:
- September Teal:
- September 3 – 11
- Ducks & Mergansers:
- October 1 – 5
- October 22 – December 15
- Youth Waterfowl:
- September 24 – 25
c. MISSOURI RIVER:
- September Teal:
- September 3 – 18
- Ducks & Mergansers:
- October 8 – 9
- October 22 – December 18
- Youth Waterfowl:
- October 1 – 2
For other season dates per area for geese and other migratory game birds in Iowa, shoot them down here.
Method of Take
Every hunter must use a shotgun:
- With a maximum of size of a 10-gauge.
- Capable of holding a maximum of three shells
- With a one-piece filler (for those shotguns that are capable of holding more than three shells) that cannot be removed without having to disassemble the gun.
You can turn to page 14 of the Iowa Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations for a more detailed report.
3. Turkey Hunting in Iowa
- Gun/Bow season:
- October 10 – December 2
- Archery:
- October 1 – December 2
- December 19, 2016 – January 10, 2017.
- Youth (Gun/Bow)
- April 8 – 16, 2017
- Season 1 (Gun/Bow):
- April 17 – 20, 2017
- Season 2 (Gun/Bow):
- April 21 -25, 2017
- Season 3 (Gun/Bow):
- April – May 2, 2017
- Season 4 (Gun/Bow)
- May 3 – 21, 2017
- Resident Archery:
- April 17 – May 21, 2017
The website for the State of Iowa can provide more details on 2017 turkey regulations.
Method of Take
- Resident Archery:
- Longbows, recurve bows, and compound bows are allowed
- Crossbows
- Arrows:
- Blunthead must be at least 9/16-inches in diameter
- Must have a minimum length of 18 inches
- Resident Gun/Bow
- .10-, .12-, .16- and .20-gauge shotguns or muzzleloading shotgun
- Shooting # 4, 5, 6, 7 1/2 or 8 lead or nontoxic shot
- #2 or # 3 nontoxic shot
How to Get a License
You can acquire a hunting license either online, by phone, or by mail. Better yet you can purchase it in person to the nearest license vendors or at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Office.
For more detailed information, click here.
The video below comes from the Iowa DNR. For all hunters out there, here is a gentle reminder when you go hunting for waterfowl:
As long as you are knowledgeable about the hunting laws in the state of Iowa and abide by them to the letter, you and your hunting buddies will surely enjoy every minute of hunting.
Hunt safe and hunt proudly!
You can find more interesting stuff that can be useful for hunting, just surf the Survival Life Store!
Like this Hybeam 2-in-1 Pop-Up LED Lantern and Flashlight? It will be great when you spend the nights outdoors.
Did you find this article useful? If you're a beginner in hunting, you better have some knowledge on how to set a rifle scope too!
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on January 23, 2017, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
