Iowa deer hunters will notice fewer seasons and changes in certain seasons this year. Officials with the Iowa DNR say the January antlerless deer season has been eliminated, the number of antlerless deer tags has been reduced and hunters in 27 northwest counties are allowed only antlered deer during the first shotgun and early muzzleloader seasons. Crossbows were allowed as a legal method of take for resident Iowa hunters during the late muzzleloader season.

Iowa waterfowl hunters have an experimental September teal only season from Sept. 6-21 in all three waterfowl zones. The remaining waterfowl seasons will be set during the August 14 meeting of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Natural Resource Commission after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issues their season requirements to the states.

Iowa Hunting and Trapping Seasons

Deer Seasons

Youth: Sept. 20-Oct. 5

Disabled Hunter: Sept. 20-Oct. 5

Archery: Oct. 1-Dec. 5 AND Dec. 22-Jan. 10

Early Muzzleloader: Oct. 11-19

Late Muzzleloader: Dec. 22-Jan. 10

First Shotgun: Dec. 6-10

Second Shotgun: Dec. 13-21

Nonresident Holiday: Dec. 24-Jan. 2

 Small Game and Upland Seasons

Youth Rooster Pheasant: Oct. 18-19

Rooster Pheasant: Oct. 25-Jan. 10

Bobwhite Quail: Oct. 25-Jan. 31

Gray Partridge: Oct. 11-Jan. 31

Ruffed Grouse: Oct. 4-Jan. 31

Cottontail Rabbit: Aug. 30-Feb. 28

Fox and Gray Squirrel: Aug. 30-Jan. 31

Crow: Oct. 15-Nov. 30 AND Jan. 14-March 31

Pigeon: Continuous Open Season

Migratory Game Bird Seasons

Mourning Dove: Sept. 1-Nov. 9

September Teal Season: Sept. 6-21 in all three zones. Additional regulations apply.

Furbearer Hunting Seasons

Raccoon: Nov. 1-Jan. 31

Opossum: Nov. 1-Jan. 31

Red and Gray Fox: Nov. 1-Jan. 31

Bobcat: Nov. 1-Jan. 31 Additional regulations apply.

Coyote: Continuous Open Season

Groundhog: Continuous Open Season

Trapping Seasons

Raccoon: Nov.1-Jan. 31

Muskrat: Nov.1-Jan. 31

Red and Gray Fox: Nov.1-Jan. 31

Coyote: Nov.1-Jan. 31

Badger: Nov.1-Jan. 31

Mink: Nov.1-Jan. 31

Weasel: Nov.1-Jan. 31

Opossum: Nov.1-Jan. 31

Striped Skunk: Nov.1-Jan. 31

Beaver: Nov. 1-April 15

Otter: Nov.1-Jan. 31 Additional regulations apply.

Bobcat: Nov.1-Jan. 31 Additional regulations apply.

Persons interested in bow hunting deer in Atlantic are advised to pick up their instruction packet from the Atlantic Police Department. The information packets are available Monday through Friday, from 8-a.m. to 4-p.m. Once the packet is filled-out by the hunter, it must be signed by Police Chief Steve Green. If you are already qualified to hunt, you won’t have any further issues to contend with.
It’s the third year the City is making bow hunting available within the City limits. Lt. Dave Erickson with the A-PD says the number of deer harvested each year continues to grow, with last year being very successful. Erickson says bow hunting is made available to the public, with certain exceptions and requirements.

New hunters not previously qualified may still pick up their packet, but they must also make an appointment to shoot with Lt. Erickson at the P-D. The packet explains the rules and City Ordinance. He says the hunting seasons mirror those established by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Hunters must be 18-years of age or older and have a State of Iowa hunting license. They also must have a deer tag or tags issued by the DNR.

Erickson says the one thing they are requesting is that anyone who wants the public to hunt deer on their property, please call the police department Monday through Friday and submit their name. The list of property owners’ names who will allow hunting will then be made available for hunters to contact and provide information as to when they would like to request permission to do so.
Anterless tags will be available.

Hunters must take a doe first before being allowed to hunt a buck within the City limits. If you wish to continue hunting Does – antlerless – the City will reimburse for the tag you purchased through the DNR. You will need to call the Police Department at 712-243-3512 when you harvest a deer. The police will verify that it was taken within the city limits. The hunter then brings the tag to City Hall, where they will be reimbursed for the doe tag. The maximum reimbursement is $28.50. Up to six doe tags per person are allowed for reimbursement.

There are restrictions are where bow hunting will be allowed. For instance, No hunting on City parks of City property. Among the things to note this year: Hunting will not be allowed if your paperwork is not filled out and copies are on file at the Police Department; All hunters must respect the property lines of the land they are hunting on, and be courteous to residents of adjoining properties; Hunters must carry a cell phone with them in case a law enforcement officer needs to contact them with regard to any complaints; Hunter should use safety harnesses while hunting from an elevated stand; Field dressings must be done outside the City limits of Atlantic.

Persons needing to qualify for the in-City hunt will be required to pass a verbal and skill test conducted by the A-PD and Atlantic Archers. The applicant must be able to shoot at 3-d targets up to a maximum of 30-yards from an elevated stand, and successfully hit with 3 out of 5 arrows.