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 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Deer tags are quota-limited and allocated by lottery; this fee is charged if drawn. |
| 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 | For hunters not drawn — buys priority in next year's lottery, not a tag. |
03 — Turkey permits
| Permit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Turkey Tag | $28.50 | |
| Nonresident Turkey Tag (pending lottery results) | $119 | Quota-limited and allocated by lottery; this fee is charged if drawn. |
04 — Waterfowl & migratory bird permits
| Stamp | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Migratory Bird Fee | $11.50 | Same price for residents and nonresidents. Required in addition to the hunting license to hunt doves, ducks or other migratory birds. |
Waterfowl hunters 16 and older also need HIP registration and a Federal Duck Stamp. Iowa duck season dates →
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.
Iowa hunter safety course — options, costs and where to register →
06 — Where to buy
Licenses and permits are sold through Go Outdoors Iowa, the state's official portal.
Where to hunt public land in Iowa — WMAs by county & access rules →
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.
FAQ
Can I hunt on my own land in Iowa without a license?
Iowa owners or tenants, and their minor children, may hunt, fish, or trap their own land without a license. Deer and turkey still need their own special license, though a free one is available to a registered owner or tenant for their certified farm unit.
How much is a hunting license in Iowa?
A resident annual Iowa hunting license costs $22, and the nonresident annual license costs $144. Species permits for deer, turkey and waterfowl are charged on top — see the tables above. Prices are set by Iowa Department of Natural Resources and were read from their own license document on Aug 6, 2026.
How much is a nonresident hunting license in Iowa?
$144 for the annual nonresident license. Species permits come on top of the base license.
How much is a deer permit in Iowa?
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. A deer permit is charged on top of the base hunting license.
What do I need to get a hunting license in Iowa?
Iowa requires a hunter education certificate for most first-time license buyers. Licenses 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.
Do I need a hunter safety course to buy an Iowa hunting license?
Yes, for most first-time 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.
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.