Iowa’s wild turkeys are the Eastern wild turkey sub-species - Meleagris gallopavo  silvestris.

Currently we have four seasons which are 4, 5, 7, and 19 days in length (35 days total).   The first season always begins on the Monday closest to April 13.  Current season dates. Note: Season 2 is closed to nonresidents. 

Iowa residents can purchase licenses through license vendors or through the telephone ordering system.  Nonresidents wishing to obtain an application may call our license bureau at (515) 281-8688.  Once an application has been obtained, simply follow the directions on the  application.  Nonresidents can apply online or by telephone. 

Resident permits cost $23.00 and nonresident permits cost $100.50.  Note:  A $8.50 habitat stamp fee and a general small game hunting license is also required for both residents and nonresidents.  General small game hunting licenses are $17.50 for residents and $80.50 for nonresidents respectively.

Nonresidents may only obtain 1 permit.  Residents may obtain up to 2 permits, however,  certain restrictions apply (see application for details).

Yes, commercial decoys are legal, however, live decoys are not legal.

The only legal firearms for turkey hunting are:  shotguns and muzzleloader shotguns not  smaller than 20-gauge.  Permitted shot sizes are: No. 4, 5, 6, 7 1/2 or 8 in lead, or non-toxic shot in sizes 2 through 8.  Lead shot larger than No. 4 and non-toxic shot larger than No. 2 is illegal to possess while turkey hunting. 

In addition to firearms, archery equipment including longbows, recurves and compound bows can be used to hunt wild turkeys in Iowa.  Arrows must be tipped with broadheads, or with bluntheads with a minimum diameter of 9/16 of an inch.

Only male or bearded turkeys are legal in the spring season.

A hunter having a valid license for one of the spring turkey seasons may accompany, call  for or otherwise assist anyone having a valid turkey license for any of the seasons.  The  person helping can not shoot a turkey or carry a bow or firearm unless they have a valid  license and unused transportation tag for the current season.  No one may shoot a turkey  for someone else, or tag a turkey shot by someone else.

You must apply a transportation tag, before the carcass is moved from where it was  killed, in such a way that the tag is visible and cannot be removed without being  mutilated or destroyed.  The transportation tag must bear the license number of the  hunter, year of issuance and date of kill.  The tag shall be the hunter’s proof of possession  of the carcass.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources no longer registers trophy wild turkeys.  However, the National Wild Turkey Federation invites you to register your turkey through their official wild turkey records program.  Entry rules and an application can be obtained by writing the National Wild Turkey Federation, P.O. Box 530, Edgefield, SC, 29824-0530 or by calling (803) 637-3106.

To differentiate between adults and juveniles, examine the tip of the last 1 or 2 primary (large) wing feathers.  Adults have rounded tips with white barring extending all the way to the tip.  Juveniles have narrow pointed feathers with no white bars on the last 2 inches.  In addition, the tail fan on an adult has a regular contour of tail feathers, while a juvenile has an irregular contour.

To further estimate the age of your (male) turkey, examine the spurs on the leg and the turkey’s beard.  Generally, 1 year-old turkeys have a spur length of 1/2” or less and a beard length of 2-5”; 2 year-old turkeys have spurs between 1/2” and 7/8” and a beard between 6” and 9” in length; 3 year-old turkeys have spurs between 7/8” and 1” and beards over 10” in length; turkeys 4 years-old and greater have spurs greater than 1” and beards over 10” in length.

Males have black tipped breast feathers and leg spurs, although spur length varies with age.  Female turkeys have buff-tipped breast feathers and no leg spurs.

Measuring Spurs and Beards