Hunting in Iowa: 8 Things to Know About Hunting on Private Lands

Hunting is one of the most ancient and productive forms of entertainment. Iowa is a state that offers bountiful hunting opportunities for bagging deer, pheasant, wild hog, turkey, and other small game and select migratory birds. What was once solely a means to obtain nourishment has evolved into a test of wits, patience, and skill.

Hunting is also a great way to bond with the family or to spend some quality time with a few close friends.

Thanks to the Iowa Hunting and Access Program, (IHAP), 8,000 acres of private lands in Iowa are currently available for walk-on hunting. But those who hunt on private lands in Iowa are responsible for following rules specific to private property as well as all hunting safety rules and Iowa hunting guidelines.

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Here are eight things to know about hunting on private lands:

1. You may only hunt on private lands on which you have received permission from the landowner to hunt, whether by specific request or because the land is part of the IHAP program.

2. IHAP public hunting season starts Sept. 1 and ends May 31st.

3. Only park in designated parking spaces at IHAP sites.

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4. You may only hunt on IHAP land. All other recreational activities such as target shooting and camping are prohibited.

5. After hunting at an IHAP site, be sure to fill out and deposit your checkout card recording the details of your hunt.

6. Pick up all trash that you see.

7. For a exhaustive list of all IHAP land, consult Iowa's Department of Natural Resources list of IHAP maps. Iowa Habitat and Access Program (IHAP) - Maps

8. FindLaw states that it is legal for a hunter to retrieve game on private property that they are not authorized to be on. However, the hunter must be unarmed when they retrieve the game in order to ensure they do not hunt anything else in another’s property.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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• Hunting in Indiana: 6 Things to Know Before Applying for a Hunting Permit for Adults

• Hunting in Connecticut: Are Safety Courses Required to Hunt in Connecticut? How Do I Pass Classes?