The law allows the use of ammunition with a straight wall, which has already been approved for pistol hunting, in rifles. The list of acceptable calibers is contained in the Iowa Hunting and Trapping Regulations (p. 31, www.iowadnr.gov/hunting) as well as criteria for ammunition of similar size that is not on the list. Are all guns legal? No, not all guns are legal. Only rifles that fire with straight-wall ammunition of .357 caliber or higher with an expansion bullet are allowed. The following centerfire cartridges can be used with others not on this list that meet the criteria for right-wall cartridges: If you have any questions, please email Alicia.Plathe@dnr.iowa.gov or call (515) 725-8283. More information: Whether you`re a deer hunter, locker owner or volunteer in your community, there`s an important role you can play. As a hunter, consider purchasing additional antlerless deer permits to reduce the deer population. By participating in HUSH, hunters can continue hunting after they would normally stop, which helps reduce the deer population and provide high-quality game to those in need in Iowa. You can donate any legally taken deer of any sex from any season.

For the passionate Iowa deer hunter, this is the perfect opportunity to hunt longer and have a direct impact on a local community. Hunters must be duly authorized to hunt deer. All deer permits include an additional $1 per deer to fund the HUSH program. The participating lockers skin, thigh and grind the meat into two-pound packets of pure game. Local social services distribute the game to needy Iowa families in the area. The 70 traps that participated in 2018 received $75 for each deer treated. Find a locker near you: We work hard to keep our calendar up to date, but always refer to the hunting rules brochure for official and legal season dates. Will the law come into effect for the 2017 deer hunting season? Yes, it will be an option as a legal method to take it.

HUSH is a collaboration between Iowa deer hunters, the Iowa Food Bank, meat processors and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The law was enacted to allow for a lower recoil option for older and younger hunters, but it is available to all hunters during these four seasons. Do I need a special permit to use my rifle? No special permits are required, but a hunter must have the required Iowa hunting license, habitat fees, and deer mark. The new law requires people caught with a rifle capable of firing ammunition that is not on the approved list during deer hunting suspend their hunting privileges for two years and receive a $250 fine. General Deer InformationAn review of the Iowa Deer Management Program My rifle does not meet the requirements, can I get an exemption? No, there are no derogations. In addition, the new law provides for harsher penalties for those caught with a rifle capable of firing ammunition that is not on the approved list when hunting deer. These include suspending their hunting privileges for two years and fining $250. What is allowed? The following cartridges can now be used in rifles for deer hunting purposes in Iowa. Hunting – Fishing license – buy online or renew – Where / when can it be used? Right-walled cartridges can be used in rifles throughout the state during the youth, disability and two shotgun seasons 2020-21, hunting, capture and migratory bird, full book season dates**, highland hunting regulations, seasons and boundaries of migratory birds, deer hunting regulations, fall turkey hunting regulations, spring turkey hunting regulations, non-resident spring turkey hunting information, sunset table why are some calibers outside the authorized approved size, but others are not allowed? The .375 Winchester, .444 Marlin and .45-70 Govt.

were an option for hunters using handguns. As they were authorized before 2017, these calibers were grandfather. ** Correction of regulations The printed version of the Iowa Hunting, Trapping and Migratory Game Regulations of 2019-2020 omitted the wording of a new state law that allows hunters with a non-ambulatory deer license to hunt during each open season until the permit is completed, using the extraction method authorized for that season. The error was discovered too late for the print edition. It has been corrected in the online copy (page 40). Iowa hunters will have a new option this fall as they hunt deer during the youth season, disabled hunting season and both hunting rifle seasons — rifles capable of firing straight-walled cartridges. A big thank you to all the hunters who donated deer to the HUSH program during the 2018 hunting season. More than 3,900 deer were donated, generating just over 620,000 meals for the less fortunate in Iowa! Is there a restriction on magazines? No, not this year, but hunters should pay attention to possible changes to this requirement in the coming years.

Can I also use it for turkey or only for deer? No, this is only allowed to hunt deer. Like other midwestern states, Iowa produces exceptional white-tailed deer. Abundant food and mild winter weather allow Iowa whitetails to gain significant body weight and, as they reach maturity, often possess impressive antlers. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) maintains a registry of the largest deer harvested in the state with firearms and archery equipment. Those who successfully harvest a trophy-sized deer in Iowa are encouraged to enter the Iowa Big Game Registry. MNR issues certificates of award to eligible entries that meet minimum standards (see below). To be eligible for a reward, the rack must be measured by an official meter. You can search for an official stock in Iowa by searching for those certified by the Boone and Crockett Club or the Pope and Young Club. Bucks Recorded in Iowa Big Game Records between 1953 and 1998 .357 Magnum .357 Maximum .375 Winchester .38 Super .40 S&W .401 Powermag 10 mm Auto .41 Remington Magnum .41 Action Express .44 S&W Special .44 Remington Magnum .44 Automag .444 Marlin .445 Super Mag .45 ACP .45 Colt .45 Super Mag .45 Winchester Magnum .45 Silhouette .45 Bushmaster .451 Detonics .454 Casull .45-70 Govt.