Many licenses and permits are needed when it comes to hunting both small and big game in Iowa.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer for Guthrie County Jeremy King mentions that licenses like the habitat license, migratory game bird and federal migratory waterfowl stamps are some of the requirements when hunting any kind of waterfowl. He adds that a few other regulations are making sure to use non toxic shot, and to have a plug in your gun to limit the number of shells that can be held, to make things fair for the birds. King tells Raccoon Valley Radio the importance of staying up to date on licenses and permits.

“I know sometimes people get a little confused, like, ‘Boy, this is a lot.’ And on our regulation, we have a page in there that goes through and has boxes that are checked or not telling you what you need for what species of animal you plan on hunting to try and help that out. And of course, we check those licenses, we make sure people stay up on it because it is important for people using these resources, especially on public land, that some of that revenue is coming back, and can continue to develop and maybe purchase more land in the future to give people more opportunities.”

King mentions that proceeds from the federal waterfowl stamp are reserved and used for the purchase and development of land for waterfowl. To see the list of required licenses and permits that King talks about, visit the Iowa DNR’s website at https://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Hunting-Licenses-Laws.