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Anticipating Iowa turkey season can be a unique excitement. As we get closer to Spring, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts must be excited about the upcoming busy Spring turkey hunting.
Iowa provides a thrilling turkey hunting adventure unlike any other. Join us and jump to the 2024-2025 turkey season schedule. We will provide all information clearly to you and help you prepare for a successful hunt.
When Is Iowa Turkey Season In 2024?
| Spring Turkey Seasons | Season Dates | Shooting Hours | Bag Limits |
| Youth season (residents only) | Apr 5 - 7, 2024 | Half hour before sunrise to sunset | One bearded or male turkey |
| Season 1 | Apr 8 - 11, 2024 | ||
| Season 2 | Apr 12 - 16, 2024 | ||
| Season 3 | Apr 17 - 23, 2024 | ||
| Season 4 | Apr 24 - May 12, 2024 | ||
| Resident archery-only | Apr 8 - May 12, 2024 |
🔔Notes:
- For nonresidents, hunters need to apply for turkey hunting in Iowa. The application has ended in January. If you miss the application, you can check the leftover licenses.
- Check out the sunrise/sunset time for any Iowa city here: Sunrise/Sunset Calculator.
- The Fall Turkey Hunting Season is in planning and will be updated soon.
Iowa Turkey Hunting Licenses
| Resident Licenses | Costs |
| Hunting Age 16 & Older | $22 |
| Habitat Fee (Age 16-64) | $15 |
| Hunting & Habitat Fee Combo | $35 |
| Hunting 3-Year with Habitat Fee | $101 |
| Apprentice(includes Hunting & Habitat) | $35 |
| Hunting, Fishing, Habitat Fee Combo | $55 |
| Resident Turkey Tags | $28.5 |
| Resident Landowner / Tenant Turkey | $1 |
| Lifetime Hunting | $61.5 |
| Non-Resident Licenses | Costs |
| Spring Turkey | $119 |
| Hunting 18 years & older | $131 |
| Hunting 16-17 years old | $32 |
| Habitat Fee | $15 |
| Hunting & Habitat Fee Combo 18 & Older | $144 |
🔔Notes:
- Nonresident Hunting Licenses will be available for purchase starting on January 1, 2024.
- Nonresidents are not eligible for fall turkey hunting licenses.
- 2024 nonresident hunting licenses will expire on January 10, 2025.
How to Buy A Hunting License?
Residents can directly buy the license on the official licensing system or any licensed agent.
Nonresident Spring Turkey hunting licenses can be obtained by applying through the DNR's online license system. Just click on "Nonresident Deer and Turkey Tags" and follow the instructions. The licenses are issued by a random drawing.
Who Doesn't Need a Hunting License?
The following people don’t need to have hunting licenses to hunt in Iowa:
- Residents and nonresidents who are under 16 years old.
- Residents who are 12-15 years old.
- Military personnel that qualify as a resident of Iowa.
Iowa Turkey Hunting Regulations
✅Things you can do:
- No hunter orange is required for turkey hunting.
- Any hunting accidents must be reported to the local conservation officer.
- Hunters must carry and show their hunting license to any officer under request.
- The game can be taken outside or into the state if hunters are able to prove that the game was legally killed and transported.
- It is allowed to use blinds in game management areas.
- Every hunter that kills a turkey must submit a report using the DNR's Harvest Reporting System.
- As long as the hunter has a valid wild turkey license with an unfilled transportation tag, dogs can be used to find, chase, and bring back wild turkeys.
- Longbows, recurve bows, and compound bows are permitted.
❌Things you cannot do:
- One or two-way mobile radio transmitters are prohibited for indicating the location or direction of game or furbearing animals, or for planning the movement of other hunters.
- Sights that emit a light beam, such as laser sights in hunting are prohibited.
- Portable blinds cannot be used from one hour after sunset until midnight each day.
- Motor vehicles in all game management areas are prohibited.
- Crossbows are prohibited.
- Live decoys, dogs, horses, radios, motorized vehicles, aircraft, bait, recorded or electronically amplified turkey calls are prohibited.
Conclusion
Above is the necessary information for Iowa Turkey Season that every hunter should know. We trust that you are motivated and prepared to start your own exciting hunting journey in April soon.
Before the season begins, make sure to acquaint yourself with the dates and rules, obtain your permits, and honor the environment and wildlife.
Good luck with your hunting adventures!