Iowa

The holy grail of trophy whitetail archery hunting, strict draw quotas, and world-class genetics.

Public Access & WMAs

Public Lands to Hunt in Iowa

Official Regulatory Authority

Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IADNR)

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages hundreds of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) covering over 350,000 acres of prime wildlife habitat. In addition, the Iowa Habitat and Access Program (IHAP) leases tens of thousands of private agricultural acres for free public walk-in hunting. Renowned worldwide for producing the heaviest Boone & Crockett whitetail bucks on earth, Iowa's public hunting lands span rich river bottoms, unglaciated limestone bluffs, and prairie marshlands.

Driftless Limestone Bluffs | 8,500 Acres

Yellow River State Forest

Located in Allamakee County within the rugged, unglaciated bluffs of northeast Iowa. Steep limestone ridges, mature oak-hickory timber, and cold trout streams provide challenging public backpack and walk-in hunting for trophy whitetail deer and wild turkeys.

Des Moines River Valley | 25,000 Acres

Red Rock Wildlife Management Area

Located upstream of Lake Red Rock in Marion, Warren, and Polk counties. Extensive bottomland hardwood timber, flooded crop fields, and marsh sloughs make this Iowa's premier public green-timber duck hunting and giant whitetail buck destination.

Statewide Walk-In Access | 35,000+ Acres

Iowa Habitat and Access Program (IHAP)

Leases thousands of private agricultural acres across Iowa using Pittman-Robertson and farm bill funds. Open for free public foot-hunting from September 1 through May 31 for ring-necked pheasant, bobwhite quail, wild turkey, and whitetail deer.

South-Central Oak Hardwoods | 15,500 Acres

Stephens State Forest

Spread across Lucas, Clarke, Monroe, and Appanoose counties in several large management units. Heavily timbered ridges of white oak, red oak, and shagbark hickory provide premier public archery and shotgun hunting for giant whitetail deer and wild turkeys.

Skunk River Basin | 9,100 Acres

Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt

Located in Polk and Jasper counties along the Skunk River. Restored oxbow wetlands, native prairie, and river bottomland timber support exceptional public hunting for pheasants, waterfowl, and whitetail deer.