By Steve Weisman

Each year about this time, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) releases the number of fishing and hunting licenses were purchased in the previous year.

It’s important to note that 100% of fishing and hunting license fees in Iowa are placed into the Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund, which is managed by the DNR.

It is important to note that these funds are constitutionally protected and can only be used by the DNR to support fish and wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, research, and law enforcement. These funds are used to stock fish, manage wildlife populations, and improve public access (infrastructure) to outdoor recreational opportunities.

Here is something very important to remember about license sales. The money from license sales is crucial for matching federal grants, which triples the funding available for conservation efforts in the state. That is truly what you call a bang for the buck!

In a future column, we will look at how much money these licenses bring in and whether we are holding our own or if inflation is taking its toll! For now, let’s look at licenses purchased by both residents and non-residents.

In 2025, Iowa residents purchased…

Fishing

198,202 annual licenses

8,794 lifetime fishing licenses

17,405 three-year licenses

1,098 seven-day license

3,586 one-day license

41,850 trout fees

166 paddlefish licenses

19,513 third line licenses (resident and nonresident combined)

30,344 fishing, hunting and habitat combination licenses

Hunting

42,868 annual licenses

47,185 hunting and habitat annual combination licenses

3,466 lifetime hunting licenses

6,477 hunting and habitat three-year licenses

803 apprentice (hunting and habitat) licenses

25,004 migratory game bird licenses

42,789 habitat fees

13,929 furharvester annual licenses age 16 and older

315 furharvester annual licenses age 15 and younger

410 furharvester and habitat annual combination licenses

423 lifetime furharvester licenses

Large Game

Deer

14,507 youth general deer, 1,510 antlerless deer licenses

245 disabled hunter general deer, 31 antlerless deer licenses

52,232 archery general deer, 20,369 antlerless deer licenses

5,088 early muzzleloader general deer, 1,096 antlerless deer licenses

40,253 first shotgun general deer, 16,369 antlerless deer licenses

42,010 second shotgun general deer, 17,084 antlerless deer licenses

16,723 late muzzleloader general deer, 8,023 antlerless deer licenses

Turkey

5,161 spring bow licenses

18,917 spring gun/bow licenses seasons 1-3

17,890 spring gun/bow licenses season 4

6,837 spring youth gun/bow licenses

2,022 fall gun/bow

1,527 fall bow

Landowner-Tenant

Deer

48 antlerless deer licenses

30,406 free general deer, 20,261 free antlerless

1,895 antlerless deer licenses

421 antlerless deer licenses

5,603 antlerless deer licenses

1,439 antlerless deer licenses

Turkey

2,458 spring gun/bow season 1-3

2,233 spring gun/bow season 4

900 bow licenses

30 youth licenses

3,317 free general fall turkey

In 2025, nonresidents purchased…

Fishing

28,076 annual licenses

2,816 seven-day licenses

13,411 three-day licenses

17,261 one-day licenses

7,595 trout fees

37 paddlefish license

Hunting

6,348 annual licenses age 18 and older

15,203 hunting and habitat annual combination licenses age 18 and older

4,984 five-day licenses

2,163 five-day hunting and habitat combination

13,290 habitat fees

3,840 migratory game bird fees

380 apprentice (hunting and habitat) licenses

142 furharvester annual licenses

47 furharvester and habitat annual combination licenses