Wishing to bag a wild turkey in Iowa? This guide will provide you the answers to all of your questions regarding shooting hen turkeys and provide you all the necessary information to organize a successful trip to hunt turkeys in Iowa.
The short answer is no, you cannot shoot a hen turkey in Iowa. The purpose of this regulation is to safeguard the population of turkeys and maintain their sustainability. Let’s delve more into the specifics as there are a few exceptions to this rule.
Understanding the Seasons and Regulations:
There are two turkey hunting seasons in Iowa: the fall and the spring. Each has its own set of rules about what kind of turkeys can be harvested.
Fall Turkey Hunting:
- Dates: October 16 – December 1, 2023
- Bag Limit: One bearded or male wild turkey per valid license and transportation tag
- Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
- Permits: Available for both residents and nonresidents
Spring Turkey Hunting:
- Dates:
- Youth season (residents only): April 5-7, 2024
- Season 1: April 8-11, 2024
- Season 2: April 12-16, 2024
- Season 3: April 17-23, 2024
- Season 4: April 24 – May 12, 2024
- Bag Limit: One bearded or male wild turkey per valid license and transportation tag
- Shooting Hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
- Permits: Available for both residents and nonresidents (nonresidents need to apply through a drawing process)
Exceptions to the Hen Turkey Rule:
It may be permissible to shoot a hen turkey in the following circumstances:
- Landowner Authorization: If you are a landowner or have written permission from a landowner, you may be able to shoot a hen turkey during the fall season. However, you must still obtain a valid permit and follow all other regulations.
- Damage Permits: In rare cases, the Iowa DNR may issue damage permits to landowners experiencing significant turkey damage to their property. These permits may allow for the harvest of hen turkeys.
Identifying Male vs Female Turkeys:
Knowing how to differentiate between male and female turkeys is crucial for ethical hunting Here are some key characteristics to look for:
- Males (Toms):
- Black-tipped breast feathers
- Beards (clusters of hair-like feathers on the chest)
- Spurs (bony protrusions on the back of the legs)
- Females (Hens):
- Buff-tipped breast feathers
- No beards
- No spurs
Additional Resources for Iowa Turkey Hunting:
- Iowa DNR Turkey Hunting Regulations: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Turkey-Hunting
- 2023/24 Iowa Hunting, Trapping, and Migratory Game Bird Regulations: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Turkey-Hunting
- Interactive Hunting Atlas: https://programs.iowadnr.gov/IHA/
Plan Your Iowa Turkey Hunting Adventure:
Now that you know the regulations and can confidently identify your target, it’s time to plan your Iowa turkey hunting adventure! Remember to obtain the necessary permits, familiarize yourself with all regulations, and prioritize ethical hunting practices.
Happy hunting!
2022 FALL WILD TURKEY HUNTING
NONRESIDENTS are not eligible for fall turkey hunting licenses.
TAGGING REQUIREMENTS
The leg with the tag must be attached to the carcass of any wild turkey being transported within the state during any wild turkey hunting season. The tag must stay fastened to the carcass until it is prepared for ingestion.
HARVEST REPORTING
All hunters who shoot a turkey must report the harvest through the DNR’s Harvest Reporting System. Hunters who do not shoot a turkey do not need to report.
FALL TURKEY LICENSES
Paid Combination Gun/Bow Licenses are only good in the area the hunter designates at the time of purchase. Paid Gun/Bow Licenses are available until the zone quotas are met or the season ends, whichever comes first. Priority sales apply.
Paid Archery-only Licenses are valid statewide. There are no quotas and licenses are sold until the end of the season.
Gun/Bow Landowner-Tenant Only one Landowner-Tenant Turkey License may be obtained per landowner family and one per tenant family. Landowner-Tenant Licenses are valid only on the farm unit of the landowner or tenant.
HOW MANY TURKEY LICENSES MAY I HAVE?
For fall turkey hunting, a resident hunter may only obtain two licenses: one for archery only, one for gun and bow combined, or two licenses for either combination. One of these licenses may be a Landowner-Tenant License if the hunter is eligible.
SHOOTING HOURS
Gun: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
Bow: Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset.
USE OF DOGS FALL SEASON ONLY
Dogs may be used to locate, flush, and retrieve wild turkeys as long as the hunter is in possession of an empty transportation tag and a valid wild turkey license.
RESIDENT SPRING TURKEY HUNTING
TAGGING REQUIREMENTS
The leg with the tag must be attached to the carcass of any wild turkey being transported within the state during any wild turkey hunting season. The tag must stay fastened to the carcass until it is prepared for ingestion.
HARVEST REPORTING
All hunters who shoot a turkey must report the harvest through the DNR’s Harvest Reporting System. Hunters who do not shoot a turkey do not report.
RESIDENT SPRING TURKEY LICENSES
Paid combo gun/bow licenses cover the entire state and are valid for the hunting season selected at the time of purchase. Paid Gun/Bow Licenses are sold until the end of the season selected at the time of purchase.
Paid Archery-only Licenses are valid statewide for all four seasons. There are no quotas and licenses are sold until the end of the fourth season.
Qualified landowners, tenants, or their family members may purchase owner-tenant licenses for firearms and bows, as well as licenses for only archery. These licenses are valid until the conclusion of the season chosen at the time of purchase.
Landowner-Tenant Gun/Bow Licenses are valid for the hunting season that the license holder selects at the time of purchase. Landowner-Tenant Archery-only Licenses are valid in all four seasons. Landowner-Tenant Licenses are valid only on the farm unit of the landowner or tenant. One Landowner-Tenant Turkey License may be obtained per landowner farm unit and one per tenant farm unit.
HOW MANY TURKEY LICENSES MAY I HAVE?
A resident hunter may obtain a maximum of two spring turkey hunting licenses. One of these may be a Landowner-Tenant License, if the hunter is eligible.
License options include two bows exclusively, one bow exclusively, one bow exclusively, one gun/bow combo Season 4; or two bows exclusively, with at least one of them having to be Season 4.
TURKEY HUNTING in WINDY WEATHER! (Nick’s Iowa Gobbler!)
FAQ
Can I shoot a hen turkey in fall in Iowa?
Are wild turkeys protected in Iowa?
What guns can you use for turkey hunting in Iowa?
How many landowner turkey tags can you get in Iowa?