The Iowa Legislature recently passed a law allowing .410s as a legal method of take to hunt wild turkeys. This new law becomes effective July 1, 2022, and DNR is developing rules to implement the new law.
“This is just a reminder to our hunters that our seasons and regulations are set up to a year ahead of time and, like other regulations changes, we incorporate the new laws into our upcoming seasons,” said Todd Bishop, chief of wildlife. Laws passed by the Iowa Legislature become effective on July 1, unless specifically written to become effective upon the governor’s signature.
Iowa’s spring turkey season begins April 8 with the youth only season, followed by the general turkey hunting seasons.
“Turkey hunting is a passion with our hunters who enjoy it for its intimacy and for its setting,” said Jim Coffey, forest wildlife research biologist.
Turkey hunting participation has returned to pre-pandemic levels, and for the hunters heading to the timber each spring. Only around 20 to 22% of the tags are filled each year, which equates to a harvest of around 11,500 birds.
“Turkey hunting is an intimate sport done at close range,” Coffey said. “Research indicates that shots of less than 30 yards are the most successful.”
Iowa’s turkey population is fairly stable, with a successful 2021 reproduction year led by the southeast part of the state, followed by the north-central and northeast regions.
Male or bearded turkeys can be harvested during spring season. Hunters are required to report their harvest on the DNR’s website at www.iowadnr.gov, by phone on the toll-free number listed on the tag, through a license vendor, by texting the registration number to (800)771-4692 or through the Go Iowa Outdoors app.
Write the confirmation number on harvest report tag attached to the leg of the turkey. Harvest must be reported by midnight on the day after it is tagged, or before taking it to a locker or taxidermist, or before processing it for consumption.
Hunters may purchase up to two tags for Iowa’s four spring turkey seasons as long as at least one of the tags is for the fourth season. Each year begins with the youth only season.
Youth turkey licenses purchased before the youth season closes but are not filled during the youth season may be used in any of the subsequent seasons until filled or the season ends.
2022 Iowa Spring Turkey Seasons
Gun/Bow: Youth-only April 8-10 (Iowa residents only); Season 1 April 11-14; Season 2 April 15-19; Season 3 April 20-26; Season 4 April 27-May 15; Resident archery-only season April 11-May 15; Licenses and Fees needed (not including landowners/tenants); Hunting license (age 16 and older): Habitat fee, Wild turkey license.
Need a place to hunt? Check out the Iowa DNR’s Public Hunting Atlas online.