Skip to main content

Course Outline

The legal archery equipment for turkey hunting is listed below by resident, non-resident, season, and license type.

Iowa Residents (Spring and Fall)

Archery-Only License

  • Equipment
    • Longbows, recurve bows, and compound bows that shoot broadhead arrows that are at least 18 inches long
    • There are no minimum draw weights for bows or minimum diameter for broadheads.
    • Blunthead arrows with a minimum diameter of 9/16-inch
  • Restrictions
    • The arrow must not contain poison or any stupefying chemical.
    • The arrowhead tip must not have an explosive tip or pod.
    • Crossbows are not legal, except for physically handicapped hunters who have a special permit.
    • Crossbows designed to be fired with one hand or that are equipped with a pistol grip are not legal.

Firearm/Archery License

  • Longbows, recurve bows, and compound bows that shoot broadhead arrows that are at least 18 inches long
Compound bow

Non-Residents (Spring Only)

Note that non-residents are not eligible to hunt turkeys in the fall or obtain Archery-Only Licenses for the spring.

  • Firearm/Archery License
  • Longbows, recurve bows, and compound bows that shoot broadhead arrows that are at least 18 inches long
  • There are no minimum draw weights for bows or minimum diameter for broadheads.
  • Unit 10 of 10
  • Topic 5 of 9
  • Page 2 of 2