2026–27 season · nonresident whitetail
$644 total nonresident cost — $644 charged at application (license $131 + habitat fee $15 + mandatory any-sex + antlerless tag combo $498, plus fees). Unsuccessful applicants are refunded all but the $60.50 preference point and convenience fees.
Verified Jul 31, 2026 · Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Preference-point draw; the 2026 window closed June 7. Dates shown are the 2027 cycle projected from the agency's fixed rule (first Saturday in May – first Sunday in June). Points ($60.50) are sold ONLY during that window and never expire. 2026 stats: archery tags took 1–2 points in zones 1/3/8/10, 3–4 in zones 2/7/9, 5–6 in premium southern zones 4/5/6; gun tags drew at 0–1 points in most zones. ~3 points ≈ archery in a mid-demand zone.
Applications May 1, 2027 – Jun 6, 2027 · typically ~3 points to draw · point cost $61
First segment — archery closes during the shotgun seasons.
Second segment.
Early muzzleloader (limited quota).
Late muzzleloader.
Shotgun Season 1 (shotgun/straight-wall rifle/handgun per Iowa gun rules). January antlerless follows Jan 11–24.
Shotgun Season 2.
The 2026 window closed June 7, and points are sold only during the application window — there's no point purchase available now. Set the reminder and forget it.
Go Outdoors Iowa: pick ONE season and ONE zone. $644 charged at application, or $60.50 for a point only (limit one/year). Party applications draw at the LOWEST member's points.
Results post after the window; refund check arrives 2–3 weeks later minus the point and fees, and you automatically gain a preference point.
Rules that commonly differ state to state — check the ones your home state handles differently.
Answer four questions — home state, weapon, dates, points — and this page becomes your checklist: deadlines ranked against your season, costs totaled, and the steps in order.
Plan Iowa →WhiteTailPlanner summarizes public regulations to help you plan. The state's published regulations are the legal authority — confirm with the official sources linked above.
