Public Hunting Land in Iowa

Iowa is known for its world-class whitetail hunting, and while much of the land is privately owned, the state still offers hundreds of thousands of acres of accessible public hunting land. With diverse terrain ranging from river bottoms to prairies, Iowa provides solid opportunities for deer, turkey, upland game, and waterfowl hunters.

Types of Public Land Available in Iowa:

• Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs): Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), these areas are open to public hunting under general regulations.

• State Forests & Recreation Areas: Certain areas offer seasonal hunting access for a variety of game species.

• Public Hunting on Private Land (IHAP): The Iowa Habitat and Access Program opens private lands to public hunting through cooperative agreements.

• Federal Lands: Corps of Engineers properties and national wildlife refuges provide limited hunting access.

Seasons & Access Info

Iowa's seasons are broken into zones and weapon types, and some tags require draws. While most public land is open access, specific properties may have unique rules or check-in requirements.

Key Resources:

• Hunting Seasons & Regulations

• License & Permit Portal

• Public Hunting Atlas

Pro Tip: Apply early for Iowa’s deer draw — nonresidents face stiff competition but high reward for those who get in.

Explore Maps & Hunting Access

Iowa DNR provides one of the best interactive hunting map tools in the Midwest:

• Interactive Public Hunting Atlas

• IHAP Properties Map (Private Land Access)

• Walk-In Areas, PDFs, and Mobile Layers

From midwestern hardwoods to upland prairie hills, Iowa’s public lands can produce trophy deer and limit-out days — especially if you do your homework.