Iowa may be known for its cornfields and wrestling, but don’t let that fool you – the Hawkeye State is a hidden gem for hunters and anglers. The rolling hills, rivers, and lakes of Iowa offer a wide variety of game and fish species, making it a prime destination for any outdoor enthusiast. Anglers in Iowa can cast a line for a variety of popular fish, including brown trout, bass, walleye, and catfish. From the mighty Mississippi River to the clear waters of the Iowa Great Lakes, the state’s many waterways offer something for every type of fisherman. Hunters in Iowa can pursue world class white-tailed deer, turkey, pheasant, and waterfowl hunting opportunities in its vast woodlands, prairies, and wetlands. The state’s hunting culture runs deep, with generations of Iowans passing down their love of the hunt from one generation to the next.
For more information on the elected officials protecting and promoting the sportsmen’s traditions in Iowa, please contact:
Iowa State Caucus Fact Sheet
Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus
Senator
Joni Ernst
Senator
Charles Grassley
Representative
Randy Feenstra
Representative
Mariannette Miller-Meeks
Iowa Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Member
Governor
Kim Reynolds
Iowa Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Leadership
Senator
Chris Cournoyer
Senator
Eric Giddens
Representative
Steven Bradley
Representative
J.D. Scholten
News Alerts
Jul 29 2024
Learn to Hunt Programs Offered in Iowa
Why It Matters: Learn to hunt programs offer great opportunities for individuals who have...
May 15 2023
Legislative Recap for the Hawkeye State
Why It Matters: The legislative session in Iowa provided no shortage of legislation that...
Feb 27 2023
Proposed Right to Hunt, Fish, and Trap Constitutional Amendment on the Move in Iowa
Why It Matters: As efforts to undermine the ability of sportsmen and women continue...
Feb 13 2023
Action Packed Sessions Continue Across Lower Midwest
Why It Matters: As state legislatures continue to consider a variety of legislation across...
Feb 06 2023
Airbows Continue to be a Hot Topic Across the Lower Midwest
Why It Matters: Airbows continue to gain popularity among deer hunters across the nation....
Jan 09 2023
New Year, New Technologies Available for Midwestern Hunters
Highlights: Striking the balance between technology and conservation is critical to ensure that hunting...
Sep 26 2022
Iowa Natural Resources Commission Works to Update Regulations as Fall Turkey Season Approaches
Why It Matters: Though we should always strive to maintain the fair chase ethic...
Mar 01 2021
Senate Committee Joins Push for Right to Hunt, Fish, and Trap Constitutional Amendment in Iowa
Contact: Kent Keene, Senior Coordinator, Lower Midwestern States and Agriculture PolicyOn February 23, Iowa’s Senate...
Jan 25 2021
What’s the Deal with Using Dogs to Recover Deer in Iowa?
Contact: Kent Keene, Lower Midwestern States CoordinatorFollowing the passage of House File 2455 (HF...
Sep 14 2020
Pheasant Season Outlook Looking Good Throughout Parts of the Midwest
Contacts: Nick Buggia, Upper Midwestern States Manager, and Kent Keene, Lower Midwestern States CoordinatorUpland...
Jun 15 2020
Iowa: Legislature Passes Several Sportsmen’s Bill upon Returning to Session
Contact: Kent Keene, Lower Midwestern States CoordinatorThough the Iowa State Legislature was suspended for...
May 26 2020
Midwest: 2020 Regional Legislative Update
Contacts: Nick Buggia, Upper Midwestern States Manager; Kent Keene, Lower Midwestern States Coordinator Since...
May 04 2020
Iowa: SF Provides Comments in Support of Proposed Amendments to Furbearer Regulations
Contact: Kent Keene, Lower Midwestern States Coordinator On April 28, the Iowa Natural Resource...
Mar 23 2020
Iowa: Bill to Extend Hunting and Fishing License Resident Status for Members of the Armed Forces Passes Both Chambers
Contact: Kent Keene, Lower Midwestern States CoordinatorOn March 5, the Iowa House of Representatives...
Mar 23 2020
Iowa: Range Protection Bill Continues to Progress through Legislature
Contact: Kent Keene, Lower Midwestern States CoordinatorOn March 9, the Iowa Senate Committee on...
Mar 16 2020
Iowa: CSF Encourages Legislators to Pass Important Disease Management Bill to Control the Spread of CWD
Contact: Kent Keene, Lower Midwestern States CoordinatorOn March 10, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF)...
Feb 10 2020
Iowa: Bill Introduced to Fund Natural Resource and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund
Contact: Kent Keene, Lower Midwestern States CoordinatorOn February 5, the Iowa Senate Ways and...
Apr 20 2018
Iowa: Caucus Hosts Day at the Range
By Joel Hodgdon, Central Midwestern States CoordinatorOn April 16, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) Central...
Feb 16 2018
Iowa: Caucus Hosts Breakfast in the Capitol, Welcomes New Co-Chairs
On February 13, members of the Iowa Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted a sportsmen’s breakfast...
Sep 28 2017
Iowa: Governor Kim Reynolds Joins Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus
On September 22, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds became the 36th member of the Governors...
Sep 21 2017
Iowa, Nebraska Governors Host National Hunting & Fishing Day Proclamation Signing Ceremonies
On September 20, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) member Governor Pete Ricketts hosted a proclamation...
Jul 13 2017
Iowa: Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Hosts Policy Forum on 2018 Farm Bill
On July 10, state legislators from across the Midwest came together with representatives from...
Apr 13 2017
Iowa: License Fee Bump to Support Professional Fish and Wildlife Management in House Committee
An important piece of legislation, Iowa H 574, is currently in the House Ways...
Mar 16 2017
Iowa: Sportsmen’s Caucus Hosts Panel on Conservation Funding, Luncheon
On March 14, the Iowa Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted a luncheon and panel discussion...
Jul 18 2016
Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Members Discuss Sporting Heritage at NGA Summer Meeting
On July 15, members of the Governors Sportsmen's Caucus (GSC) gathered in Des Moines,...
Apr 07 2016
Iowa: Governor Signs Legislation Advancing Sportsmen and Women’s Interests
Last week, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus former Co-Chair and current member Governor Terry Branstad (IA)...
Mar 24 2016
Iowa: Suppressor Bill Sent to Governor
Recently, the Iowa Legislature passed HF 2279 – a bill legalizing the ownership of...
Apr 16 2015
Iowa Expands Apprentice Hunting Opportunity
On April 8, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) Co-Chair, Governor Terry Branstad signed SB 392,...
Apr 02 2015
Governor Branstad Signs First Statewide Hunting and Fishing Day Proclamation of 2015
Governor Terry Branstad (IA), Co-Chair of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) since 2014, has...
Feb 26 2015
Iowa Sportsmen’s Caucus Hosts Habitat & Heritage Luncheon
On February 18, the Iowa Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus welcomed national and state-based sportsmen’s group...
May 11 2012
Governor Terry Branstad Takes Action on Behalf of Iowa Hunters
Click here to download a PDF of this article.May 11, 2012 - Governor Terry...
Latest policy updates
Many sportsmen and women depend on federal lands managed by agencies such...
In recent years, Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) use has increased rapidly across...
Introduction Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a progressive, fatal, degenerative neurological disease...
In addition to the American System of Conservation Funding, some states have...
One important tool for protecting fish and wildlife habitat is a state-level...
Properly managed wildlife habitat is essential for supporting sustainable and healthy wildlife...
Preemption is the process where a higher level of government revokes the...
Coming soon Introduction The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA)...
In an attempt to encourage novice hunter participation, many states now offer...
Several states have passed legislation that allows non-resident, full-time college students to...
In an effort to improve the quality of young people’s lives, several...
The vast majority of states throughout the nation offer an online component...
Many state legislatures have enacted legislation to afford senior citizens, veterans, and...
Reports and Data
Mar 04 2022
Iowa: American System of Conservation Funding Fact Sheet
Iowa: American System of Conservation Funding Fact Sheet
Jan 01 2013
2013 Sportsmen's Economic Impact Report - Iowa
2013 Sportsmen’s Economic Impact Report - Iowa
Jan 01 2007
2006 Economic Impact Report — Iowa
Iowa’s sportsmen and women annually spend more than the combined cash receipts for dairy...
Take Action
Advocate for policies impacting your state. Contact your States Program Team Member to learn how you can help make a difference and protect outdoor traditions.
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