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General Discussion => General Forum => Topic started by: slave601 on January 12, 2026, 09:42:19 PM

Title: Iowa non resident draw statistics/help
Post by: slave601 on January 12, 2026, 09:42:19 PM
Putting in for Iowa non Rez draw this year. Actually tried to today and not having the best of luck navigating through their website. Apparently you have to send a pic of your hunters ed card I'm guessing as proof before you can buy a chance to draw. From what I hear also getting drawn the first time is probably rare. First time is probably just a preference point?
Title: Re: Iowa non resident draw statistics/help
Post by: Ryanmc on January 12, 2026, 09:54:27 PM
I think it depends on the zone but I have drawn first year


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Title: Re: Iowa non resident draw statistics/help
Post by: HookedonHooks on January 13, 2026, 11:31:55 AM
You can call them as well and provide your Hunter Ed# and they can unlock your account rather than snail mailing in the documentation.

Last year I didn't draw the preferred zone/season I was after but still grabbed a left over tag in the season prior to what I had applied for and still had a successful hunt. Iowa has a healthy turkey population and a limit of 1 bird. Their first and second season often has snow on the ground and really cold temps but I lucked out and caught beautiful weather in the second season and many turkeys gobbling.

If you're set on certain dates in a certain area, it may take you two years to get the tag, but if you have options then I would recommend grabbing a leftover tag if you don't draw and still getting out there this spring.
Title: Re: Iowa non resident draw statistics/help
Post by: Swampmonkey on January 13, 2026, 01:40:49 PM
I scanned a picture of mine and and emailed it to them. Have done that with a few states and provinces. It's usually pretty quick 1-2 business days. But if calling them directly works that's probably the route I would go.
Title: Re: Iowa non resident draw statistics/help
Post by: Kygobblergetter on January 13, 2026, 02:45:55 PM
You can see how many tags are available for each zone and season. There's zones you can draw first year


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Title: Re: Iowa non resident draw statistics/help
Post by: slave601 on January 13, 2026, 08:46:19 PM
Thanks for the help guys! I emailed them a pic of my hunters ed card but they didn't accept a Mississippi hunters because of no date of my class or when it was issued. I'll try again tomorrow. The woman I talked to kinda acted like I was wasting her time
Title: Re: Iowa non resident draw statistics/help
Post by: budtripp on January 14, 2026, 05:43:30 PM
If you want a fourth season tag (most do because its the longest/best time to hunt imo) you have about a 50/50 shot with zero points. From what I've seen 1st and 2nd seasons are usually a shoo in. 3rd season depends on zone and the year. Of course, this year everything I said could be wrong now and it all changes, who knows.
Title: Re: Iowa non resident draw statistics/help
Post by: slave601 on January 15, 2026, 06:09:44 AM
Ok finally got it approved and was able to apply for the draw. Chose 2nd season since I'll be going through there between other states I'll be hunting.
Title: Re: Iowa non resident draw statistics/help
Post by: nybowhunter on January 28, 2026, 04:17:36 PM
The few times I've applied in Iowa for spring turkey I've only been able to draw with 1 point.

Also pay attention to the turkey zones, they're different from the deer zones and they both use the same set of numbers.
Title: Re: Iowa non resident draw statistics/help
Post by: slave601 on January 30, 2026, 06:06:53 AM
Hopefully I pull a tag. I did not put in for the most popular zone being I was drawing with zero points so maybe I'll pull a tag