Iowa DNR Announces Changes for 2026-2027 Hunting & Trapping Seasons

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources announced the following changes for the 2026-2027 Hunting and Trapping Seasons:

  • Deer license sales will now begin on August 15th at 9am.
  • Online deer and turkey license sales will stop two weeks prior to the season opening to ensure tag delivery.
  • Treestands on public land must have a metal tag with the owner’s DNR-issued customer identification number attached and visible from the ground.
  • A new online tool now allows for instant reporting of buck deer “deadheads” (found shed or naturally deceased antlers/skulls) from February 1st through July 31st. More information about the new digital reporting process is also on p. 42 of the upcoming hunting regulations.
  • Trapping identification tags attached to traps may include either the trapper’s name and address —OR— their DNR-issued customer identification.

For more information, click here.