Iowa deer season 2026-27 Open
Deer season in Iowa is open now, closes Dec 4, 2026.
Dates only. Bag limits, legal methods, licences and zone boundaries: Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Read today.
| 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 |
Deer hunting in Iowa runs from Sep 19, 2026 (Youth) to Jan 24, 2027 (Excess Tag January Antlerless) in the 2026-27 season, and is open now, closes Dec 4, 2026.
Statewide seasons: archery, early split Oct 1, 2026 to Dec 4, 2026; early muzzleloader Oct 17, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026; shotgun 1 Dec 5, 2026 to Dec 9, 2026; youth Sep 19, 2026 to Oct 4, 2026; nonresident holiday Dec 24, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027; disabled hunter Sep 19, 2026 to Oct 4, 2026.
Source: Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa DNR 2026/27 Deer Hunting Seasons (page). Read today.