Sub-species: Eastern
Tags: Draw only for Nonresidents + leftover sales
Application Period: Jan 1-25
Electronic or Print at Home Fulfillment: YES for residents and nonresidents purchasing leftover permits
Hunter Education Required: Yes for anyone born after Jan 1, 1972
Bag Limit: 1 bearded or male turkey for each valid tag (2 Resident, 1 Nonresident)
2026 Spring Season Dates:
Season 1: April 13-16
Season 2: April 17-21
Season 3: April 22-28
Season 4: April 29-May 17
Archery Only: April 13-May 17 (resident only)
Special Youth Hunt: April 10-12 (Resident Only)
2025 Fall Season Dates (Resident Only):
Oct 13 – Dec 5
Archery Only: Oct 1 – Dec 5, Dec 22 – Jan 10
Special Disabled Hunt: No
Decoys Allowed: Yes
Tagging Instructions: You must apply a transportation tag to the leg within 15 minutes of harvest, or before the turkey is moved, in such a way that the tag is visible and cannot be removed without being mutilated or destroyed. The transportation tag must bear the license number of the hunter, year of issuance and date of harvest. The tag shall be the hunter’s proof of possession of the turkey. The harvest report tag, with the confirmation number properly recorded, must be attached to the leg of the turkey after reporting the harvest and before the turkey is processed. Hunters who harvest a deer or wild turkey must report the harvest to the DNR by midnight on the day after it is tagged, or before taking it to a locker or taxidermist, or before processing it for consumption, or before transporting it out-of-state, whichever occurs first.
Noteworthy Restrictions: Only shotguns and muzzleloading shotguns .410, 28ga, 20ga, 16ga, 12ga, and 10ga, shooting shot sizes #4 – #10 are legal. Archery equipment including longbows, recurves, and compound bows can also be used with arrows at least 18″ and tipped with either broadheads or blunt heads with a minimum diameter of 9/16 inch. Hunting hours end at sunset. A resident hunter with a valid spring turkey hunting license may assist other hunters in any season. A nonresident may assist hunters only in the zone and season indicated on his / her license.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
515-725-8200
Licenses Needed to Hunt Turkeys
This site is dedicated to the wonderful passion of Spring turkey hunting. Our goal is to encourage you to “expand your season”, by “expanding your boundaries”. We hope that you find this information useful in planning your next hunt. The information in these pages has been compiled and interpreted to the best of our ability. Please consult local hunting regulations to be sure that you are in compliance with all hunting laws. ©Hunt49 2026