Iowa hunting seasons 2026-27
48 hunting seasons are open in Iowa today, including deer, wild turkey, duck. Dates come from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and were read today.
Dates only. Bag limits, legal methods, licences and zone boundaries: Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Read today.
48open today
29species
80dated seasons
Big game
- Deer Open open now, closes Dec 4, 2026
Turkey
- Wild turkey Open open now, last season closes Dec 4, 2026
Waterfowl
Migratory birds
- Dove Open open now, closes Nov 29, 2026
- Crow Open open now, closes Nov 30, 2026
- Rails and gallinules Closed closed, last season ended Nov 13, 2026
- Snipe Open open now, closes Nov 30, 2026
- Woodcock Open open now, closes Nov 16, 2026
Upland birds
Small game
Furbearers
- Badger Open open now, last season closes Feb 28, 2027
- Beaver Open open now, last season closes Apr 15, 2027
- Bobcat Open open now, last season closes Feb 28, 2027
- Coyote Open open now, last season closes Feb 28, 2027
- Fox Open open now, last season closes Feb 28, 2027
- Mink Open open now, last season closes Feb 28, 2027
- Muskrat Open open now, last season closes Feb 28, 2027
- Opossum Open open now, last season closes Feb 28, 2027
- River otter Open open now, last season closes Feb 28, 2027
- Raccoon Open open now, last season closes Feb 28, 2027
- Skunk Open open now, last season closes Feb 28, 2027
- Weasel Open open now, last season closes Feb 28, 2027
Other
- Pigeon Open open now, closes Jan 10, 2027
48 hunting seasons are open in Iowa on November 14: deer, wild turkey, duck, dove, goose and squirrel and more.
Opening in the next six weeks: deer shotgun 1 on Dec 5, 2026, goose general season on Dec 12, 2026 (North Zone) and wild turkey fall resident archery-only licenses on Dec 21, 2026.
Iowa sets different dates by zone or unit for duck and goose; the tables list each zone's dates.
Dates come from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources's published season pages, read today. Bag limits, legal methods, licences and zone boundaries are not reproduced here; the agency's regulations govern.
All Iowa season dates
Deer Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery, Early Split | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 to Dec 4, 2026 | Open open, closes in 20 days |
| Archery, Late Split | Statewide | Dec 21, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 37 days |
| Early Muzzleloader | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Late Muzzleloader | Statewide | Dec 21, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 37 days |
| Shotgun 1 | Statewide | Dec 5, 2026 to Dec 9, 2026 | Upcoming opens in 21 days |
| Shotgun 2 | Statewide | Dec 12, 2026 to Dec 20, 2026 | Upcoming opens in 28 days |
| Youth | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 to Oct 4, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Nonresident Holiday | Statewide | Dec 24, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 40 days |
| Disabled Hunter | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 to Oct 4, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Excess Tag January Antlerless | Statewide | Jan 11, 2027 to Jan 24, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 58 days |
| Population Mgmt. January Antlerless | Statewide | Jan 11, 2027 to Jan 24, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 58 days |
Wild turkey Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Resident Archery-only Licenses | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 to Dec 4, 2026 | Open open, closes in 20 days |
| Fall Resident Archery-only Licenses segment 2 | Statewide | Dec 21, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 37 days |
| Spring Resident Archery-only Licenses | Statewide | Apr 12, 2027 to May 16, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 149 days |
| Spring Youth Season (Residents Only) | Statewide | Apr 9, 2027 to Apr 11, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 146 days |
| Fall Combination Gun/Bow Licenses | Statewide | Oct 12, 2026 to Dec 4, 2026 | Open open, closes in 20 days |
| Spring Combination Gun/Bow, Season 1 | Statewide | Apr 12, 2027 to Apr 15, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 149 days |
| Spring Combination Gun/Bow, Season 2 | Statewide | Apr 16, 2027 to Apr 20, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 153 days |
| Spring Combination Gun/Bow, Season 3 | Statewide | Apr 21, 2027 to Apr 27, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 158 days |
| Spring Combination Gun/Bow, Season 4 | Statewide | Apr 28, 2027 to May 16, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 165 days |
Duck Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Central Zone | Oct 3, 2026 to Oct 4, 2026 | Closed closed |
| General season | Central Zone | Oct 10, 2026 to Oct 16, 2026 | Closed closed |
| General season segment 2 | Central Zone | Oct 24, 2026 to Dec 15, 2026 | Open open, closes in 31 days |
| General season | North Zone | Oct 3, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026 | Closed closed |
| General season segment 2 | North Zone | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | Open open, closes in 24 days |
| General season | South Zone | Oct 10, 2026 to Oct 11, 2026 | Closed closed |
| General season | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026 | Closed closed |
| General season segment 2 | South Zone | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | Open open, closes in 38 days |
Goose Open
| Species | Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goose | General season | Central Zone | Oct 3, 2026 to Oct 18, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Goose | General season segment 2 | Central Zone | Oct 24, 2026 to Dec 15, 2026 | Open open, closes in 31 days |
| Goose | General season segment 3 | Central Zone | Dec 19, 2026 to Jan 16, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 35 days |
| Goose | General season | North Zone | Sep 26, 2026 to Oct 11, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Goose | General season segment 2 | North Zone | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | Open open, closes in 24 days |
| Goose | General season segment 3 | North Zone | Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 9, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 28 days |
| Goose | General season | South Zone | Oct 10, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Goose | General season segment 2 | South Zone | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | Open open, closes in 38 days |
| Goose | General season segment 3 | South Zone | Dec 26, 2026 to Jan 23, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 42 days |
| Snow and Ross's goose | General season | Statewide | Jan 24, 2027 to May 1, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 71 days |
Dove Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 to Nov 29, 2026 | Open open, closes in 15 days |
Crow Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Oct 15, 2026 to Nov 30, 2026 | Open open, closes in 16 days |
| General season segment 2 | Statewide | Jan 14, 2027 to Mar 31, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 61 days |
Rails and gallinules Closed
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026 | Closed closed |
Snipe Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 to Nov 30, 2026 | Open open, closes in 16 days |
Woodcock Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 to Nov 16, 2026 | Open open, closes in 2 days |
Quail Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Oct 31, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | Open open, closes in 78 days |
Grouse Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | Open open, closes in 78 days |
Partridge Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | Open open, closes in 78 days |
Pheasant Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 | Closed closed |
| General season | Statewide | Oct 31, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027 | Open open, closes in 57 days |
Squirrel Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | Open open, closes in 78 days |
Rabbit Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
Groundhog Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Jan 11, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027 | Open open, closes in 57 days |
Badger Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
| Trapping | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
Beaver Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Apr 15, 2027 | Open open, closes in 152 days |
| Trapping | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Apr 15, 2027 | Open open, closes in 152 days |
Bobcat Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
| Trapping | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
Coyote Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting | Statewide | Jan 11, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027 | Open open, closes in 57 days |
| Trapping | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
| General season | Statewide | Jan 11, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027 | Open open, closes in 57 days |
Fox Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
| Trapping | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
Mink Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
| Trapping | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
Muskrat Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
| Trapping | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
Opossum Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
| Trapping | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
River otter Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
| Trapping | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
Raccoon Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting, Private land | Statewide | Jan 11, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027 | Open open, closes in 57 days |
| Hunting, Public land | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
| Trapping, Private land | Statewide | Jan 11, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027 | Open open, closes in 57 days |
| Trapping, Public land | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
Skunk Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
| Trapping | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
Weasel Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
| Trapping | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
Pigeon Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Jan 11, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027 | Open open, closes in 57 days |
Questions
Is deer season open in Iowa right now?
Yes. 1 deer season is open in Iowa on November 14, and the last of them closes Dec 4, 2026.
Is wild turkey season open in Iowa right now?
Yes. 2 wild turkey seasons are open in Iowa on November 14, and the last of them closes Dec 4, 2026.
Is duck season open in Iowa right now?
Yes. 3 duck seasons are open in Iowa on November 14, and the last of them closes Dec 22, 2026.
When does the Iowa Department of Natural Resources publish next year's season dates?
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has posted the coming year's dates between May and August in recent years. This page updates the day the agency's page changes.
Source: Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa DNR 2026/27 Deer Hunting Seasons; Iowa DNR 2026/27 Furbearer Seasons, Hunting; Iowa DNR 2026/27 Furbearer Seasons, Trapping. Read today.