Iowa 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Iowa's 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Dec 5-9, 2026.
Archery deer season runs Oct 1-Dec 4, 2026.
Duck season opens between October 3, 2026 and October 17, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes December 22, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Iowa DNR.
- firearm deer
- Dec 5-9, 2026
- archery deer
- Oct 1-Dec 4, 2026
- duck
- opens Oct 3-17, 2026 by zone
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Key seasons by species
How to read Iowa's seasons
Shotgun seasons and limited nonresident tags define it
Iowa's deer calendar centers on its split shotgun seasons alongside archery, muzzleloader, and youth windows. Nonresident tags are capped and drawn, so out-of-state hunters should track the draw as closely as the dates.
Confirm season segments, zone rules, and tag quotas with the official Iowa DNR source before planning.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Iowa DNR before hunting.
New 2026-27
federal openings
in Iowa
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened or expanded hunting and fishing access at 5 stations in Iowa. The final rule took effect August 31, 2026.
- IA · NWR
Driftless Area NWR
IowaMIGRATORY BIRD: OPEN + EXPANDUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: EXPANSION - IA · NWR
Neal Smith NWR
IowaMIGRATORY BIRD: OPEN + EXPANDUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: EXPANSIONFISHING: NEW STATION - IA · MN · NWRCA
Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWRCA
Iowa / MinnesotaMIGRATORY BIRD: OPEN + EXPANDUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: EXPANSIONFISHING: EXPANSION - IA · IL · NWR
Port Louisa NWR
Iowa / IllinoisMIGRATORY BIRD: OPENINGUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: OPENING - IA · NWR
Union Slough NWR
IowaMIGRATORY BIRD: OPENINGUPLAND GAME: OPENING
Deer
White-tailed Deer
Archery, Early Split
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Shotgun 1
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Shotgun 2
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Late Muzzleloader
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Archery, Late Split
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Nonresident Holiday
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Excess Tag January Antlerless
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Population Mgmt. January Antlerless
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Youth
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Disabled Hunter
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Early Muzzleloader
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Fall Resident Archery-only
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Fall Combination Gun/Bow
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Fall Resident Archery-only
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Youth (Residents Only)
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Resident Archery-only
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Combination Gun/Bow, Season 1
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Combination Gun/Bow, Season 2
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Combination Gun/Bow, Season 3
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Combination Gun/Bow, Season 4
Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
Zone: Statewide
Waterfowl
21 listed rowsDucks
Regular
Zone: North Zone
Ducks
Regular
Zone: Central Zone
Ducks
Regular
Zone: South Zone
Geese
Regular
Zone: North Zone
Geese
Regular
Zone: Central Zone
Geese
Regular
Zone: South Zone
Geese
Regular
Zone: North Zone
Geese
Regular
Zone: Central Zone
Geese
Regular
Zone: South Zone
Light Goose
Light Goose Conservation Order
Additional regulations apply.
Zone: Statewide
Canada Goose
Metropolitan Canada Goose Hunting Season
Additional regulations apply. Specified areas only.
Zone: Specified areas (Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Des Moines, Waterloo/Cedar Falls)
Ducks
Regular
Zone: North Zone
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| DucksRegular · Central Zone | Closed | |
| DucksRegular · South Zone | Closed | |
| GeeseRegular · North Zone | Closed | |
| GeeseRegular · Central Zone | Closed | |
| GeeseRegular · South Zone | Closed | |
| TealSpecial September Teal · Statewide | Closed | |
| WaterfowlYouth Waterfowl · North Zone | Closed | |
| WaterfowlYouth Waterfowl · Central Zone | Closed | |
| WaterfowlYouth Waterfowl · South Zone | Closed |
Dove
Mourning Dove
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Pheasant
Rooster Pheasant
Regular
Shooting hours: 8am - 4:30pm
Zone: Statewide
Rooster Pheasant
Youth
Shooting hours: 8am - 4:30pm
Zone: Statewide
Quail
Bobwhite Quail
Regular
Shooting hours: 8am - 4:30pm
Zone: Statewide
Grouse
Gray Partridge
Regular
Shooting hours: 8am - 4:30pm
Zone: Statewide
Ruffed Grouse
Regular
Shooting hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit
Cottontail Rabbit
Regular
Shooting hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Zone: Statewide
Jack Rabbit
Regular
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
CLOSED
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
Fox & Gray Squirrel
Regular
Shooting hours: No restrictions
Zone: Statewide
Furbearer
Beaver
Trapping
Trapping hours: 8am on first day
Zone: Statewide
Beaver
Hunting
Trapping hours: 8am on first day
Zone: Statewide
Bobcat, Otter
Hunting
Hunters and trappers must have a furharvester license and pay the habitat fee to harvest bobcats, if normally required. A regular hunting license will not be adequate. Trapping hours: 8am on first day
Zone: Statewide
Bobcat, Otter
Trapping
Hunters and trappers must have a furharvester license and pay the habitat fee to harvest bobcats. Trapping hours: 8am on first day
Zone: Statewide
Coyote, Mink, Muskrat, Weasel, Striped Skunk, Badger, Opossum, Fox (Red and Gray)
Trapping
Trapping hours: 8am on first day
Zone: Statewide
Opossum, Badger, Mink, Striped Skunk, Muskrat, Fox (Red and Gray), Weasel
Hunting
Trapping hours: 8am on first day
Zone: Statewide
Raccoon
Hunting - Public Land
Trapping hours: 8am on first day
Zone: Public Land
Raccoon
Trapping - Public Land
Trapping hours: 8am on first day
Zone: Public Land
Raccoon
Hunting - Private Land
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Continuous open season. No restrictions
Zone: Private Land
Raccoon
Trapping - Private Land
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Continuous open season. No restrictions
Zone: Private Land
Small Game
Groundhog
Regular
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Continuous open season. Shooting hours: No restrictions
Zone: Statewide
Migratory Birds
Rail
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Snipe
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Woodcock
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Coyote
Coyote
Regular
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Continuous open season. Shooting hours: No restrictions
Zone: Statewide
Coyote
Hunting (Furbearer)
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Continuous open season. No restrictions
Zone: Statewide
Other
Crow
Regular
Shooting hours: No restrictions
Zone: Statewide
Crow
Regular
Shooting hours: No restrictions
Zone: Statewide
Pigeon
Regular
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Continuous open season. Shooting hours: No restrictions
Zone: Statewide
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Iowa Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Iowa?
Archery deer season runs Oct 1-Dec 4, 2026. Firearm deer season runs Dec 5-9, 2026. Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with Iowa DNR.
When is Iowa's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season runs Dec 5-9, 2026. Check zone and permit details with Iowa DNR before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in Iowa?
Spring turkey season runs Apr 12-May 16, 2027. Youth and other special hunts, where listed, open earlier.
Do I need a license to hunt in Iowa?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Iowa hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Iowa DNR.
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