Hey there, fellow turkey hunters! Are you itching to get out in the field and chase those gobblers? Well, buckle up, because we’ve got all the info you need about turkey season in Iowa for the 2023-2024 season.
Get Ready for Gobbler Glory: 2023 Fall Turkey Hunting
The fall turkey season in Iowa runs from October 16th to December 1st, 2023. This is a great opportunity to bag a bird before the winter sets in. You can use either a shotgun or a bow during this season.
Important Dates for Fall Turkey Hunting:
- License on-sale date: August 15th, 2023
- Season dates: October 16th – December 1st, 2023
- Shooting hours:
- Gun: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
- Bow: Half-hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset
- Quotas: Check the Iowa DNR website for quota information.
Spring Turkey Hunting: Get Ready for Gobblers Galore
The spring turkey season in Iowa is split into four seasons, giving you plenty of opportunities to bag a bird. Here’s a breakdown of the dates for each season:
2024 Spring Turkey Hunting Seasons:
| Season | Dates |
|---|---|
| Youth Season (residents only) | April 5th – 7th, 2024 |
| Season 1 | April 8th – 11th, 2024 |
| Season 2 | April 12th – 16th, 2024 |
| Season 3 | April 17th – 23rd, 2024 |
| Season 4 | April 24th – May 12th, 2024 |
Important Dates for Spring Turkey Hunting:
- License on-sale date: December 1st, 2023 (application period is the first Saturday in May through the first Sunday in June)
- Season dates: See table above
- Shooting hours: Half-hour before sunrise to sunset
- Quotas: Check the Iowa DNR website for quota information.
Additional Resources for Turkey Hunting in Iowa:
- Iowa DNR Hunting Regulations: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Hunting-Season-Dates
- Iowa DNR Turkey Hunting Information: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Turkey-Hunting
- Interactive Hunting Atlas: https://programs.iowadnr.gov/maps/iah/
- Find a Hunter Education Class: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Hunter-Education
Pro Tips for a Successful Turkey Hunt:
- Scouting: Spend time scouting for turkeys before the season starts. Look for signs of turkey activity, such as tracks, droppings, and feathers.
- Calling: Turkeys are vocal birds, so calling is an effective way to attract them. Learn how to use different turkey calls to mimic the sounds of a hen turkey.
- Camouflage: Wear camouflage clothing to blend in with your surroundings. This will help you avoid spooking the turkeys.
- Be patient: Turkey hunting can be challenging, so be patient and persistent. Don’t give up if you don’t see a turkey right away.
Get Out There and Gobble Up Some Fun!
You can be sure that your turkey hunting season in Iowa will be successful with the correct planning and a little bit of luck. So gather your supplies, go into the field, and savor the excitement of the chase!
Remember, safety is always the top priority. Be sure to follow all hunting regulations and safety guidelines.
Happy hunting!
Iowa’s Hunting Regulations
While it is not a comprehensive compilation of hunting and trapping regulations, it does encompass most of the information you will likely require to participate in these outdoor pursuits securely.
- Purchase and view / print your licenses & permits
- Submit harvest reports and check quotas
- View and Manage Your Customer Account
Migratory Game Bird Season Dates
Despite our best efforts to maintain our calendar current, always refer to the hunting regulation booklet for official and valid dates of the hunting season.
| 2023-2024 | North Zone | Central Zone | South Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth Waterfowl | Sept. 23-24, 2023 | Sept. 30 – Oct. 1, 2023 | Oct. 7-8, 2023 |
| Ducks, Mergansers & Coots | Sep. 30 – Oct. 6 Oct. 14 – Dec. 5 | Oct. 7 – Oct. 13 Oct. 21 – Dec. 12 | Oct. 14 – Oct. 20 Oct. 28 – Dec. 19 |
| Dark Geese & Light Geese | Sep. 23 – Oct. 8 Oct. 14 – Dec. 5 Dec. 16 – Jan. 13 | Sep. 30 – Oct. 15 Oct. 21 – Dec. 12 Dec. 23 – Jan. 20 | Oct. 7 – Oct. 22 Oct. 28 – Dec. 19 Dec. 30 – Jan. 27, 2024 |
| 2023-2024 | Statewide | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Special September Teal | Sept. 1 – 16 | Daily limit is 6 |
| Doves | Sept. 1 – Nov. 29 | Daily limit is 15 |
| Snipe | Sept. 2 – Nov. 30 | Daily limit is 8 |
| Rail | Sept. 2 – Nov. 10 | Daily limit is 12 |
| Woodcock | Oct. 7 – Nov. 20 | Daily limit is 3 |
- Metropolitan Goose Hunting Season (in specified areas): Sep. 9-17, Daily limit is 5. Special regulations only apply in the designated areas surrounding Des Moines, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, and Cedar Falls/Waterloo. Maps: Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Zone, Des Moines Zone, and Waterloo/Cedar Falls Zone
- Light Geese Conservation Order (additional regulations apply. Jan. 28 – May 1, 2024.
3 Longbeards Tagged In Iowa! Back to Back to Back | Turkey Season 24
FAQ
When can you hunt turkeys in Iowa?
Can you hunt both shotgun seasons in Iowa?
What is the record turkey in Iowa?
When is turkey hunting season in Iowa?
Springtime brings more than just March Madness and warm weather, it is also the start of turkey hunting season. Before you go out guns-a-blazing, make sure you have the right tags and dates this season. Here is everything you need to know about Iowa’s turkey hunting regulations. What is the turkey hunting forecast for this season?
How long does it take to hunt a Turkey in Iowa?
The timeframe to hunt turkeys comes in continuous installments. There are four seasons spread over two months. Shooting hours are a half-hour before sunrise until sunset. Iowans hunting with a bow can hunt turkeys from April 8 until May 12 this year. Season four: April 24 to May 12. How many turkeys were hunted last spring?
Is Iowa a turkey hunting state?
Iowa has become a bucket list turkey hunting state for many nonresidents who apply for an opportunity at a large Midwestern bird. Applications are taken in January for a limited number of tags based on four seasons and five zones.
Are Iowa’s spring turkey hunters living in the ‘Good Ol’ Days?
Iowa is coming off a record harvest in 2023 of nearly 14,850 turkeys as roughly 35,000 hunters get ready to hit the woods for the 2024 season this spring. (Contributed photo) Coming off record harvests in 2020 and again in 2023, Iowa’s spring turkey hunters could be living in the “good ol’ days.”