Hunting & Fishing Licenses
Resident Turkey and Deer Licenses are available for purchase August 15th.
Collectible Cards
A new collectible hard card is available for purchase. The durable hard card costs $6 and will include purchased licenses printed on the back for the year. New designs on the hard card should be unveiled each year.
Important
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is required to collect social security numbers from all persons obtaining a hunting, fishing, or other recreational license under section 252J.8 of the Code of Iowa and 42 U.S. Code 666(a)(13). Your social security number will serve as your principal identification number to determine your eligibility for licenses. It will be provided to law enforcement agencies and the Iowa Child Support Collection Unit to establish, modify and enforce child support obligations. It WILL NOT appear on your hunting or fishing license.
Resident Licenses
Application for Residency Application for Armed Forces Veteran
- Annual Free Fishing or Combination Hunting and Fishing licenses are available to residents of Iowa, 65 years or older with low income, or residents permanently disabled with low income.
- Disabled Veteran’s License – Available to Iowa residents who are a veteran as defined in Section 35.1, who was disabled, or who was a prisoner of war during their military service. Disabled means entitled to compensation under United States Code, Title 38, Ch. 11.
- Application form for Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License for Resident, Disabled Veterans.
- Application form for Severely Disabled Deer Hunting License.
Applications and assistance for these special licenses are available at the Shelby County Recorder's Office.
Requirements for Purchasing Resident Licenses
Anglers must meet at least one of the following criteria to purchase a resident fishing license in Iowa:
- Have an Iowa driver’s license or Iowa non-operator’s identification card and have physically resided in Iowa for 30 consecutive days immediately before applying for or purchasing a resident license.
- Be registered to vote in Iowa. Qualifications to register to vote are outlined in Iowa Code chapter 48A.5.
- Be a full-time student at an educational institution located in Iowa and reside in Iowa while attending the educational institution.
- Be a nonresident under 18 years of age whose parent is a resident of Iowa.
- Be a member of the armed forces of the United States on active duty and (a) stationed in Iowa or (b) is stationed outside of Iowa, claims residency in Iowa, and has filed an Iowa income tax return for the preceding tax year.
Landowner/Tenant Licenses
For information about resident landowner and tenant hunting licenses, please visit our Landowner & Tenant Licenses page.
Nonresident Licenses
Nonresidents sixteen (16) years and older must have a valid hunting/fishing license on their person while hunting or fishing and have paid all applicable fees. Nonresidents under sixteen (16) years of age can fish without a license, but may need to purchase a trout fee. Find more information about license fees and regulations on the Iowa DNR website or by referencing the hunting and fishing regulations linked below.
