Outdoors Briefs

2026 hunting, fishing licenses on sale Dec. 15

   Iowans can buy 2026 resident hunting, fishing and other licenses on Dec. 15.  Licenses purchased for 2025 expire on Jan. 10.

   The menu of license options includes the popular Outdoor Combo annual resident hunting/fishing/habitat combo license for $55; the Angler’s Special three-year fishing license for $62; and the Hunter’s Special three-year hunting license with habitat included for $101.

   Also available is the Bonus Line option for $14 letting resident and nonresident anglers to fish with one more line in addition to the two lines allowed with the regular fishing license.

   Download the GoOutdoorsIowa mobile app for iPhone and Android devices to buy and access your license information, no matter where you are.  Sync your hunting and fishing licenses on the app to show in the field.  You may download multiple customer licenses to offer one secure digital license document location for families, groups, and more.

   Licenses are available at 650 locations across the state, and online at Official Iowa Fishing and Hunting Licenses | Go Outdoors Iowa.

   Hunting and fishing are often enjoyed with family and friends. A fishing or hunting license makes a great stocking stuffer. 

Iowa’s Deer Exchange Program, deer donation

   The Iowa Deer Exchange Program is a free online database where deer hunters willing to provide venison can connect with Iowans who want venison. Hunters may sign up as a deer donor or recipient with the Iowa Deer Exchange.

   Hunters and recipients who had previously registered for the Deer Exchange Program should review their information to make sure it is still accurate and active. There is no cost to participate. It is illegal to sell wild fish and game in Iowa.

   The Iowa DNR, the Food Bank of Iowa and 32 meat lockers also participate in the Help Us Stop Hunger program for 2025. Hunters are encouraged to contact a participating locker before they harvest a deer to see if the locker has any additional drop off instructions.

Doe harvest registry

   Hunters interested in working with farmers to harvest additional does are encouraged to sign up with the Iowa Doe Harvest Registry. The Registry has been a resource that the Iowa DNR has offered to farmers since the mid-2000s, but is now easier to access.

   To participate, visit the Doe Hunter Registry (Connecting Farmers with Hunters) under deer hunting programs and submit the Doe Hunter Registry online form. Hunters and farmers can select their preferred hunting seasons and their region of the state.

   Harvesting antlerless deer is the most important tool for managing deer populations at the state, county and local level.

Donated deer hides benefit disabled veterans

   Hunters donated nearly 3,500 deer hides to Elks Lodges across Iowa last year, which was a decrease from the year before but still very beneficial to the program. The deer hides are used by the Elks Veterans Leather Program to make professionally crafted leather gloves for veterans in wheelchairs and also turned into leather used for therapy programs for recovering veterans.

   The Elks Veterans Leather Program relies on the charity of hunters to donate their deer hides. Hunters willing to donate their hides are encouraged to contact the local Elks Lodge for drop off locations or visit www.elks.org/lodges to find the nearest lodge. The therapeutic kits and gloves are distributed at no cost to the veterans. Contact Curtis Blystone at 712-621-2823 or blystonecurtis@gmail.com for more information.