Hunting licenses went on sale Aug. 15 and will be available until the end of the season. Licenses for the muzzleloader season and the nonresident holiday season will be available until the quota is reached.
What is new this hunting season in Iowa?
Iowa’s hunting regulations now state that party hunting is not allowed for nonresidents. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) identifies party hunting as “anyone in the hunting party to use their own tag on a deer harvested by another member in the party, is only permitted for residents during the Gun 1, Gun 2, and January antlerless seasons.”
Nonresidents may hunt as a part of the hunting party but must shoot and tag their own deer.
The Population Management January Antlerless Season will be available in seven Iowa counties, including Allamakee, Winneshiek, Decatur, Appanoose, Monroe, Lucas, and Wayne. This special hunting season aims to keep the deer population in check and prevent issues like overpopulation. If by Dec. 3 there are more than 100 unsold antlerless deer licenses in the counties, the January season will be open.
Monona, Harrison, Shelby, Pottawattamie, Mills, and Fremont counties have been added to the buck-only county list for the first gun season from Dec. 7 to Dec. 11.
Antlerless quotas have changed in 12 counties. In the seven southwestern counties the quota has been lowered to allow for the population to recover, which include Monona, Harrison, Pottawattamie, Cass, Montgomery, Adams and Page. In five north central counties the quota is being increased to allow for more hunting opportunity due to expanding populations, which include Webster, Boone, Hardin, Butler and Floyd counties.
The DNR has tabled is proposed policy position regarding trail use on public land. There are no new rules regarding trail cameras on public land this hunting season.
Fur harvesting
A person under 16 years old does not need a fur harvester license to trap fur-bearing animals if they are accompanied by an adult who holds a valid fur harvester license. However, each person under 16 must have one licensed adult with them while trapping.
What do you need to do if you kill a deer hunting in Iowa?
Iowa hunters are required to report their harvest. According to Iowa DNR, all deer taken must be reported using the harvest reporting system by midnight the day after the deer is recovered.
Accurately reporting kills is an important part of Iowa’s deer management program and plays a vital role in managing deer populations and future hunting opportunities.
Iowa DNR encourages hunters to turn in poachers by calling 1-800-532-2020.
Des Moines Register reporter Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez contributed to this article.
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_
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