Iowa Deer Season Dates 2026–27
Iowa is a shotgun state with no November gun season: its two shotgun seasons arrive in December, after the archery early split. Dates below come from the Iowa DNR hunting-seasons page.
When does deer season start in Iowa?
In Iowa, the 2026–27 deer season starts with Archery, early split on Oct 1, 2026. Some limited hunts open earlier: Youth on Sept 19, 2026 and Disabled hunter on Sept 19, 2026 (see the notes for who and where). The regular firearms opener is Dec 5, 2026. Every season, with its zone notes and agency source, is in the table below.
Iowa season table
| Season | Dates | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth | Sept 19 – Oct 4, 2026 | Youth license holders. | Agency |
| Disabled hunter | Sept 19 – Oct 4, 2026 | Eligible hunters with disabilities. | Agency |
| Archery, early split | Oct 1 – Dec 4, 2026 | Closes the day before Shotgun 1. | Agency |
| Early muzzleloader | Oct 17–25, 2026 | October muzzleloader season. | Agency |
| Shotgun 1 | Dec 5–9, 2026 | Regular firearms opener is Saturday, Dec 5. | Agency |
| Shotgun 2 | Dec 12–20, 2026 | Nine days. | Agency |
| Archery, late split | Dec 21, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027 | After Shotgun 2. | Agency |
| Late muzzleloader | Dec 21, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027 | Same dates as late archery. | Agency |
| Nonresident holiday | Dec 24, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027 | Nonresident holiday antlerless license. | Agency |
| January antlerless | Jan 11–24, 2027 | Population-management and excess tags, where open. | Agency |
Dates checked Oct 10, 2026 against: Iowa DNR — Hunting seasons. Confirm with the agency for zone/county rules, bag limits and license requirements before you hunt.
Open right now
As of Oct 13, 2026, these are open (some only in certain zones or for certain hunters — see the notes):
- Archery, early split (through Dec 4, 2026)
Next to open: Early muzzleloader on Oct 17, 2026.
What sets Iowa’s calendar apart
Iowa’s split archery season is the defining feature: bowhunters get Oct 1–Dec 4, step aside for the two shotgun seasons, then return Dec 21–Jan 10.
- December shotgun. Shotgun 1 is Dec 5–9, Shotgun 2 Dec 12–20. Iowa’s regular firearms opener is the latest of the eight states we cover.
- Two muzzleloader seasons. Early muzzleloader, Oct 17–25, and late muzzleloader, Dec 21–Jan 10.
- Youth and disabled hunter seasons share Sept 19–Oct 4.
- January antlerless, Jan 11–24, for population-management and excess tags.
- No separate crossbow season is listed by Iowa DNR.
Legal hunting hours in Iowa
Iowa deer hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset in every deer season (Iowa DNR — Hunting seasons). Sunrise on the Missouri River comes more than 20 minutes after it does on the Mississippi, so figure hours for your own farm.
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FAQ
When is Iowa shotgun deer season in 2026?
Iowa's first shotgun season is Dec 5–9, 2026 and the second is Dec 12–20, 2026.
When is Iowa archery season?
Iowa archery is split: Oct 1–Dec 4, 2026 and Dec 21, 2026–Jan 10, 2027.
Is there a January deer season in Iowa?
Yes. Iowa DNR lists a January antlerless season, Jan 11–24, 2027, for population-management and excess tags.