How to apply in Iowa

Resident and nonresident hunters born after Jan. 1, 1972, must satisfactorily complete a hunter education course in order to obtain a hunting license.

A hunter education certificate issued by another state or certain foreign nations will meet the above requirement.

APPRENTICE LICENSE - Allows the apprentice age 16 and older to hunt under the direct supervision of a mentor (age 18 or older) who has a current hunting license and habitat fee, without completing a hunter education course. Apprentice licenses may be purchased twice in a lifetime.

Nonresident hunters born after Jan. 1, 1972, must provide proof of having successfully completed a hunter education course to apply

Nonresidents must have in their possession a 2026 Iowa Nonresident Deer Hunting License, a valid Iowa Nonresident Small Game Hunting License and a valid Habitat Fee to hunt, possess or transport deer.

The license drawing for General deer/ Antlerless-only combination licenses will be made from the pool of applicants with the most prefer­ence points and continue to pools with successively fewer preference points until quotas are filled or all applicants have received licenses.

Hunters unsuccessful in the General deer/ Antlerless-only combination license drawing will be given one preference point AND assessed a mandatory, nonrefundable $60.50 preference point fee.

Once you receive an General deer/Antlerless-only combination license, your preference point(s) will be eliminated.

The first license drawing each year will be made from the pool of applicants with the most preference points and continue to pools with successively fewer points.

Preference points may only be purchased May 2 - June 7.

Preference points are $60.50 plus application fees and will be available online only.

Preference points may only be purchased Jan. 1-25. Preference points are $60.50 plus application fees and will be available online only.

6,000 General deer/Antlerless-only combination licenses divided among 10 zones (no more than 35 percent of each zone for bow season); 4,450 optional Antlerless-only licenses

maximum of 2,148 combination gun/bow licenses for 2026, plus 150 statewide muzzleloading shotgun-only licenses

If there is a drawing, all members of a group will be assigned the preference point(s) of the member with the fewest points.

Hunters may apply for General deer/ Antlerless-only combination licenses as individuals or groups of up to 15, with one member identified as the group leader.

Hunters may apply individually or as a group of up to 15 applicants, with one member identified as the group leader.

Hunters may apply for General deer/ Antlerless-only combination licenses as individuals or groups of up to 15

Hunters may apply individually or as a group of up to 15 applicants

If there is a drawing, all members of the group will be assigned the preference point(s) of the member with the fewest points.

email (draw status not given by phone); licenses mailed to successful applicants in August

email before the excess sale; licenses or fee refunds returned to unsuccessful applicants 6 to 8 weeks after the drawing

the excess licenses will be sold firstcome, first-served online only beginning 6 a.m. CDT July 25.

the excess licenses will only be sold online beginning 6 a.m. Feb. 7, 2026

*Purchases subject to an application fee based on a percentage of total license cost, provided at the time of application.