Iowa Turkey Hunting and Season 2025

Iowa has become a top destination for turkey hunters in recent years, driven by robust turkey populations and quality success rates. Residents are able to hunt both spring and fall seasons, while nonresidents can only hunt spring season if they are able to draw a tag. Below we’ll cover what you need to know about Iowa turkey hunting, including how hunters can get tags (and how many), how the nonresident draw works, the Iowa turkey zones and available seasons, and other important information.

Iowa Turkey Season Dates

Iowa has six different spring turkey seasons. A hunter must hold a valid license for the specific season being hunted. Turkey tags are valid only for the specific season held.

2025 Iowa Turkey Season Spring Dates

Iowa Turkey Zones

Iowa is divided into five unique turkey hunting zones. Zones apply differently between spring and fall seasons, and resident / nonresident. This works as follows:

Spring Season: nonresident tags are zone specific, while resident tags are statewide

Fall Season: resident tags are zone specific, and nonresidents are not able to secure fall tags.

Below is the Iowa turkey hunting zone map.

Iowa Spring Turkey Tag Allocations

Tag allocations are managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and applicants apply through the Iowa GoOutdoors website.

Getting Tags for Iowa Residents

Iowa residents are able to secure up to two spring turkey tags. They may purchase one tag during seasons 1, 2, or 3 (or youth season for youth hunters), and an additional permit for season 4. If desired, they may purchase two season 4 tags. Tags are available over the counter.

Getting Tags for Nonresidents – The Iowa Spring Turkey Draw

Nonresident spring turkey tags are allocated through a draw application, with 2,148 total nonresident tags to be allocated in 2025. Applications are season and zone specific. Hunters who do not draw a tag will be awarded a preference point for use in future applications.

When is the Iowa Nonresident Spring Turkey Application Deadline?

Iowa’s spring turkey draw, which is required for nonresidents to get a tag, runs from January 1st through January 26th, 2025. To receive reminders for this application or others, add it to your OnPoint Account via the web, Apple, or Android app.

Iowa Nonresident Turkey Draw Odds

Below are the planned 2025 nonresident tag allocations by season and zone, along with the number of 2024 hunters who applied for that tag.

Nonresident Leftover Tag Sale

Any tags remaining after the draw are sold over the counter. Nonresidents may only have one tag per season, meaning if they are selected in the draw they are not eligible to purchase a second tag in the leftover sale. In some years, no tags are leftover after the nonresident draw. However if nonresident tags are remaining, they will be available for purchase on February 8th, 2025, starting at 6am CT.