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Southern Archery and Guns in Spencer serves northwest Iowa hunters, archers and shooting-sports enthusiasts with firearms, bows, ammunition and hunting accessories. Located at 325 11th St. SW in Spencer, the locally based shop is a convenient resource for hunters preparing for the season.

NORTHWEST IOWA (Northwest Iowa Now) — Fall in northwest Iowa brings harvested cornfields, cool mornings, migrating waterfowl and one of the busiest times of the year for hunters.

From chasing roosters through northwest Iowa’s grasslands to sitting in a deer stand or waiting for ducks over a wetland, the region offers plenty of opportunities. But before heading afield, hunters need to know more than opening day.

License requirements, bag limits, quotas, hunting zones and other regulations can vary by species and, in some cases, by county.

The 2026-27 season also includes significant changes for Iowa deer hunters, including a new two-zone system affecting several northwest Iowa counties.

Here’s a guide to the major hunting seasons, licenses, quotas and regulations northwest Iowa hunters should know.

Source: Metro Creative

DEER: Major changes for Iowa hunters in 2026-27

One of the biggest changes this year involves deer hunting.

Iowa now has two zones for resident deer hunting: Zone A and Zone B.

Zone B includes Crawford, Ida, Lyon, O’Brien, Plymouth, Shelby, Sioux and Woodbury counties. All other Iowa counties are in Zone A.

That means hunters in the Northwest Iowa Now coverage area need to pay close attention to the county where they plan to hunt. Zone A licenses are not valid in Zone B, and Zone B licenses are not valid in Zone A.

Zone B generally restricts hunters to antlered bucks with at least one forked antler, with exceptions including Youth, Disabled Hunter, Landowner-Tenant, Depredation and county-specific Zone B Any-Deer licenses.

Resident hunters may purchase up to two General Deer licenses, including a combination of Zone A and Zone B licenses, but no more than one archery season and one firearm season tag of choice.

2026-27 Iowa deer season dates

Youth: Sept. 19-Oct. 4
Disabled Hunter: Sept. 19-Oct. 4
Archery — Early Split: Oct. 1-Dec. 4
Early Muzzleloader: Oct. 17-25
Shotgun Season 1: Dec. 5-9
Shotgun Season 2: Dec. 12-20
Archery — Late Split: Dec. 21-Jan. 10, 2027
Late Muzzleloader: Dec. 21-Jan. 10, 2027
Nonresident Holiday: Dec. 24-Jan. 2, 2027
Population Management January Antlerless: Jan. 11-24, 2027
Excess Tag January Antlerless: Jan. 11-24, 2027

Deer shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

Deer quotas

Resident deer hunters should pay particular attention to quotas this year.

A limited number of county-specific Any-Deer licenses are available in select Zone B counties on a first-come basis beginning at 9 a.m. Aug. 15. Purchasing one of these licenses counts toward one of the hunter’s two available resident General Deer licenses, and there is a limit of one county-specific Any-Deer license per hunter.

Zone A also has county-specific antlerless deer quotas.

Because quota availability can change as licenses are sold, hunters should use Iowa’s real-time quota system rather than relying on a printed number that may be outdated by the time they read this guide.

CHECK CURRENT DEER QUOTAS:
https://gooutdoorsiowa.com/RealTimeQuotas.aspx

Resident deer licenses

Resident deer licenses go on sale Aug. 15 and remain available through the applicable season or until the quota is filled.

PURCHASE AN IOWA RESIDENT DEER LICENSE:
https://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/

Nonresident deer licenses

Nonresident deer licenses are handled differently. Iowa uses a limited quota and application system.

Iowa makes 6,000 General Deer/Antlerless-Only combination licenses available to nonresidents, divided among 10 nonresident deer zones. No more than 35% of a zone’s licenses may be issued for bow season.

An additional 4,450 optional Antlerless-Only licenses are available through a separate process.

Nonresident General Deer licenses are issued through the application and drawing process rather than simply being purchased over the counter. The nonresident application period runs from the first Saturday in May through the first Sunday in June.

NONRESIDENT DEER APPLICATIONS AND TAGS:
https://quotahunt.gooutdoorsiowa.com/

NONRESIDENT HUNTING INFORMATION:
https://www.iowadnr.gov/things-do/hunting-trapping/hunting-licenses-fees/nonresident-hunting

Source: Metro Creative

PHEASANT: Iowa’s signature fall hunt

Pheasant hunting remains one of the biggest outdoor traditions in northwest Iowa.

The 2026 youth rooster pheasant season is Oct. 24-25, followed by the regular season from Oct. 31 through Jan. 10, 2027.

Pheasant limits

Youth season: Daily limit 1 rooster; possession limit 2
Regular season: Daily limit 3 roosters; possession limit 12
Shooting hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Unlike limited deer tags, pheasant hunting does not have a statewide license quota. Hunters instead need to follow daily and possession limits.

Hunters should also remember Iowa’s blaze-orange requirements and check whether non-toxic shot is required on the public hunting area they plan to hunt.

Resident and nonresident pheasant licenses

Both residents and nonresidents can purchase the licenses needed for pheasant hunting through Iowa’s official Go Outdoors Iowa licensing system.

RESIDENT LICENSE PURCHASE:
https://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/

NONRESIDENT LICENSE PURCHASE:
https://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/

IOWA PHEASANT HUNTING INFORMATION:
https://www.iowadnr.gov/things-do/hunting-trapping/types-hunting-trapping/pheasant-hunting

Source: Metro Creative

SMALL GAME AND UPLAND BIRDS: Dates and limits

Pheasants aren’t the only opportunity for hunters this fall. Iowa’s 2026-27 small-game calendar includes several additional seasons.

Season dates and limits

Gray Partridge: Oct. 10-Jan. 31, 2027
Daily limit: 8 | Possession: 16

Bobwhite Quail: Oct. 31-Jan. 31, 2027
Daily limit: 8 | Possession: 16

Ruffed Grouse: Oct. 3-Jan. 31, 2027
Daily limit: 3 | Possession: 6

Cottontail Rabbit: Sept. 5-Feb. 28, 2027
Daily limit: 10 | Possession: 20

Fox and Gray Squirrel: Sept. 5-Jan. 31, 2027
Daily limit: 6 | Possession: 12

Coyote: Continuous open season
Daily limit: No limit | Possession: No limit

Hunters should check the Iowa DNR regulations for shooting hours and additional species-specific rules.

Small-game licenses

There are no statewide license quotas for these general small-game seasons. Daily and possession limits apply where specified.

RESIDENT LICENSE PURCHASE:
https://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/

NONRESIDENT LICENSE PURCHASE:
https://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/

CURRENT IOWA HUNTING SEASONS AND LIMITS:
https://www.iowadnr.gov/things-do/hunting-trapping/iowa-hunting-seasons

Source: Metro Creative

WATERFOWL: Northwest Iowa North Zone dates

Northwest Iowa’s wetlands, marshes and prairie pothole country make the region an important destination for waterfowl hunters.

Hunters should pay close attention to Iowa’s waterfowl zones because season dates vary across the state.

2026-27 North Zone waterfowl seasons

Youth Waterfowl: Sept. 26-27

Ducks:
Oct. 3-9
Oct. 17-Dec. 8

Geese:
Sept. 26-Oct. 11
Oct. 17-Dec. 8
Dec. 12-Jan. 9

Statewide migratory bird seasons

Special September Teal: Sept. 5-13
Mourning Dove: Sept. 1-Nov. 29
Snipe: Sept. 5-Nov. 30
Rail: Sept. 5-Nov. 13
Woodcock: Oct. 3-Nov. 16
Light Goose Conservation Order: Jan. 24-May 1, 2027

Waterfowl and migratory bird hunters need to pay close attention to species-specific daily bag limits, possession limits and federal requirements. Those limits can differ by species and type of waterfowl.

Resident and nonresident waterfowl licenses

Waterfowl hunters may need an Iowa hunting license, habitat fee, Iowa migratory game bird fee and federal duck stamp depending on age, residency and the species being hunted.

RESIDENT WATERFOWL LICENSE PURCHASE:
https://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/

NONRESIDENT WATERFOWL LICENSE PURCHASE:
https://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/

IOWA WATERFOWL SEASONS AND REGULATIONS:
https://www.iowadnr.gov/things-do/hunting-trapping/iowa-hunting-seasons

Source: Metro Creative

TURKEY: Fall and Spring Information

Iowa also offers fall and spring wild turkey opportunities.

Fall 2026 turkey seasons

Combination Gun/Bow: Oct. 12-Dec. 4

Resident Archery-Only: Oct. 1-Dec. 4 and Dec. 21-Jan. 10, 2027

Spring 2027 turkey seasons

Youth — Residents Only: April 9-11
Season 1: April 12-15
Season 2: April 16-20
Season 3: April 21-27
Season 4: April 28-May 16
Resident Archery-Only: April 12-May 16

The daily bag and season possession limit is one bearded or male wild turkey for each valid license and transportation tag issued to the hunter.

Resident turkey licenses

Resident turkey hunters can purchase available licenses through Go Outdoors Iowa.

RESIDENT TURKEY LICENSE PURCHASE:
https://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/

Nonresident turkey licenses

Nonresident turkey licenses are limited and handled through Iowa’s nonresident tag system.

NONRESIDENT TURKEY APPLICATIONS AND TAGS:
https://quotahunt.gooutdoorsiowa.com/

CHECK REAL-TIME QUOTAS:
https://gooutdoorsiowa.com/RealTimeQuotas.aspx

Source: Metro Creative

FURBEARER HUNTING AND TRAPPING

Iowa’s 2026-27 furbearer seasons provide additional opportunities into the winter.

Mink, muskrat, weasel, striped skunk, badger, opossum and red and gray fox: Nov. 7-Feb. 28, 2027

Beaver: Nov. 7-April 15, 2027

Bobcat and otter: Nov. 7-Feb. 28, 2027

Coyote: Continuous open hunting season

Raccoon — Private Land: Continuous open hunting season

Raccoon — Public Land: Nov. 7-Feb. 28, 2027

Most of these species have no daily or possession limit, but special regulations apply to bobcat and otter.

Bobcat hunters and trappers should also note that a regular hunting license alone is not sufficient. Hunters and trappers must have the required furharvester license and habitat fee when those requirements apply.

Resident and nonresident licenses

RESIDENT LICENSE PURCHASE:
https://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/

NONRESIDENT LICENSE PURCHASE:
https://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/

FURBEARER SEASONS AND CURRENT REGULATIONS:
https://www.iowadnr.gov/things-do/hunting-trapping/iowa-hunting-seasons

CHECK QUOTAS BEFORE YOU BUY

One of the most useful tools for hunters planning their season is the Iowa DNR’s real-time quota system.

Instead of relying on an article, screenshot or social media post showing how many tags were available days or weeks earlier, hunters can check current availability through Go Outdoors Iowa.

This is especially important for deer and other limited licenses because availability can change as hunters purchase tags.

REAL-TIME IOWA HUNTING QUOTAS:
https://gooutdoorsiowa.com/RealTimeQuotas.aspx

NONRESIDENT DEER AND TURKEY TAGS:
https://quotahunt.gooutdoorsiowa.com/

BUYING AN IOWA HUNTING LICENSE

Go Outdoors Iowa is the state’s official online licensing system for residents and nonresidents.

Hunters can use the system to purchase licenses, permits and tags, report harvests, register for hunter education and access other licensing services.

PURCHASE LICENSES, PERMITS AND TAGS:
https://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/

GO OUTDOORS IOWA:
https://gooutdoorsiowa.com/

Hunters born after Jan. 1, 1972, generally must have completed an approved hunter education program in Iowa or another state to purchase a hunting license unless an applicable exception applies.

REPORT YOUR DEER OR TURKEY HARVEST

The hunt isn’t finished when the animal is tagged.

Hunters who harvest deer or turkey must follow Iowa’s harvest reporting requirements.

Harvest reporting is available through Go Outdoors Iowa. Hunters can also report by calling 1-800-771-4692 and following the prompts.

REPORT YOUR HARVEST ONLINE:
https://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/

Hunters should follow all tagging and reporting requirements and report the harvest within the time required by Iowa law.

FIND PUBLIC HUNTING LAND IN NORTHWEST IOWA

Hunters without access to private ground can use the Iowa DNR’s Interactive Hunting Atlas to locate public hunting opportunities.

The atlas can help identify wildlife management areas and other properties open to public hunting. Hunters should verify property boundaries and check for area-specific regulations before hunting.

Hunters should never assume privately owned land is open simply because it appears to be undeveloped or enrolled in a conservation program. Permission is required before hunting private property unless the hunter otherwise has the legal right to hunt the property.

CHECK BEFORE YOU HUNT

Season dates are only one part of preparing for a hunt.

Hunters should check current bag limits, license requirements, quotas, weapon restrictions, shooting hours, tagging and reporting requirements, public-land regulations and other rules before heading afield.

That’s especially important during the 2026-27 season because of Iowa’s new deer-zone system.

The Iowa DNR notes that its online calendar is maintained for convenience, but hunters should use the current Iowa Hunting, Trapping & Migratory Game Bird Regulations for official legal season dates and requirements.

Official Iowa hunting resources

2026-27 IOWA HUNTING SEASONS:
https://www.iowadnr.gov/things-do/hunting-trapping/iowa-hunting-seasons

PURCHASE RESIDENT AND NONRESIDENT LICENSES:
https://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/

REAL-TIME QUOTAS:
https://gooutdoorsiowa.com/RealTimeQuotas.aspx

NONRESIDENT DEER AND TURKEY TAGS:
https://quotahunt.gooutdoorsiowa.com/

IOWA DNR HUNTING & TRAPPING:
https://www.iowadnr.gov/things-do/hunting-trapping

Season dates, limits and regulations in this guide are based on information published by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for the 2026-27 season. Regulations and quota availability can change. Hunters should verify current information with the Iowa DNR and Go Outdoors Iowa before purchasing a license or hunting.