Iowa · License · 2026 Edition
Iowa Hunting License Cost 2026: Fees, Deer & Turkey Permits
A year costs $22 for residents and $144 for nonresidents.
Iowa's plain Resident/Nonresident Hunting license does not include the mandatory Habitat Fee ($15) — nearly everyone instead buys the Hunting/Habitat combo shown below, which bundles both for less than buying them separately. Resident deer and turkey tags are physical products bought over the counter; nonresident deer and turkey tags are quota-limited and allocated by lottery ("Pending Lottery Results") before the fee shown becomes payable.
01 — Base hunting license
| Type | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting | $22 | Does not include the Habitat Fee ($15) required to actually hunt — see the Hunting/Habitat combo below. |
| Resident Hunting / Habitat | $35 | |
| Lifetime Hunting | $61.50 | |
| Resident Apprentice License | $35 | No hunter education required yet. |
| Hunter's Special (3-Year Hunting / Habitat) | $101 | |
| Outdoor Combo (Hunting / Fishing / Habitat) | $55 | |
| Nonresident Hunting / Habitat (18+) | $144 | |
| Nonresident Hunting / Habitat (under 18) | $45 | |
| Nonresident 5-Day Hunting / Habitat (18+) | $90 | Not valid for deer or turkey seasons. |
| Nonresident Apprentice License | $144 | No hunter education required yet. |
02 — Deer permits
| Permit | Total |
|---|---|
| Resident Any-Sex Deer Tag | $33 |
| Resident 1st Antlerless Deer Tag | $28.50 |
| Resident Additional Antlerless Deer Tag | $15 |
| Nonresident Buck Tag (pending lottery results) | $348.50 |
| Nonresident Mandatory Antlerless Deer Tag | $149.50 |
| Nonresident Antlerless Deer Tag (by county) | $266.50 |
| Nonresident Landowner Deer Tag | $266.50 |
| Nonresident Deer Preference Point | $60.50 |
03 — Turkey permits
| Permit | Total |
|---|---|
| Resident Turkey Tag | $28.50 |
| Nonresident Turkey Tag (pending lottery results) | $119 |
04 — Waterfowl stamp
| Stamp | Total |
|---|---|
| Migratory Bird Fee | $11.50 |
Waterfowl hunters 16+ also need the free federal HIP registration and a Federal Duck Stamp.
05 — Hunter education
Iowa requires a hunter education certificate for most first-time license buyers. Required for anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1972, unless already on file from a prior purchase. Certificates from other states are accepted.
06 — Where to buy
Licenses and permits are sold through Go Outdoors Iowa, the state's official portal.
Iowa hunting licenses run an unusual cycle: the 2026 license year goes on sale mid-December 2025 and expires January 10, 2027 — not tied to the calendar or fiscal year like most states.
Verified · Iowa Department of Natural Resources · Last verified 2026-08-06
Publisher's note. Prices read from the Iowa DNR license offerings document, retrieved 2026-08-06. Review due 2026-12-01. Fees are set by the state and change without notice — confirm current prices before purchase.