What is an Iowa Landowner Tag?
In the world of hunting, a lot of terms can make a big difference. When people talk with me about the subject of tags, one of the things they always want focused on is the concept of the landowner tag. In this post, I will discuss what the landowner tag is, how it works, and what hunters should know about it.
When you think of it , landowners all across the state that make having a hunting rights play into compensation for use of their ground should be by far and away interested in having the game population on their farm balance out from method or methods of hunting perspective. The landowner tag is designed to help in that effort. First, the best thing to know is that you as a landowner of course can hunt deer on your property anyways. You don’t need a tag to do that. The landowner tag is certainly not about giving permission to hunt. The landowner tag simply is about allowing you to harvest a deer without paying for that privilege if you wish.
Criteria for Obtaining an Iowa Landowner Tag
To qualify for a landowner tag in Iowa, specific eligibility requirements must be met. First and foremost, the property on which access is provided must be owned by the individual who is claiming the tag. It is worth noting that individuals who own an undivided interest in a property do not qualify for more than one landowner tag. In other words, that individual will be entitled to one landowner license — and only one — to hunt deer as a landowner. To be eligible, the property must be within a single county. Up to two hundred acres may be included on one application, along with the ability to include additional acres for an extra $16 each. The timeline for eligibility in terms of acquiring the proper landowner registration through the DNR system is a year prior to the beginning of the hunting season.
Application Dates and Process
Applying for a landowner tag to hunt deer, turkey, or elk can seem daunting, but the process is pretty straightforward. It’s essential to be aware of the deadlines and have the necessary documentation ready to avoid any last-minute snafus. Typically, landowners in Iowa must apply for hunting tags online through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Licensing web page. Each species may have slightly different requirements so be sure to review those specific to the animal you intend to hunt.
While the application process may vary slightly depending on the species, the general steps are as follows: Make sure you have all the required documents. For the landowner tag, you’ll usually need to provide proof of ownership, such as a tax bill or property deed. Also, some species applications require additional paperwork, such as proof of a completed hunter safety course. Prepare for deadlines. Landowner licenses have specific seasons and application deadlines. For deer and turkey, applications are generally due in May, while elk licenses are often only permitted through special drawings. Check the Iowa DNR site for the exact dates as these are subject to change. Have your Iowa driver’s license or ID on hand—it will be needed during the online application process. The system will often pull in all your information and simplify the process. Submit your application. Follow the application instructions carefully. After submitting, you should receive a confirmation email. After the application process, wait for your official tags in the mail. Once you receive them, you’re all set to hit the field! Remember, following the Iowa DNR rules for application properly will ensure you don’t miss out on your opportunity to hunt your selected species.
Restrictions and Regulations
It is essential for Iowa landowners who have received a landowner tag to understand the regulations and restrictions that accompany the privilege. First and foremost, the hunting season is the same as that for general deer seasons. There are, however, a number of differences in the requirements imposed on a landowner tag holder who takes a deer. These requirements include:
Landowner restrictions:
- An Iowa landowner may not shoot a doe and a buck in the same year.
- If an Iowa landowner obtains a landowner preference tag under § 483A.24 of the Iowa Code, the landowner cannot shoot a buck or a doe if an antlerless deer has not already been shot and reported by another hunter under the landowner preference tag.
- An Iowa landowner who obtains a special landowner tag under § 481A.183 of the Iowa Code must report the tag on line at www.iowadnr.gov or at a Department office within 48 hours after taking a deer under the tag and before the end of the season.
Hunter restrictions:
- A hunter may hunt only a single day under the authority of a landowner tag, no matter how many different landowner tags that person possesses.
- A hunter with a landowner tag cannot shoot an antlerless deer under a general deer license and then use a landowner tag to shoot a buck.
- A hunter with a landowner tag must report the tag on line at www.iowadnr.gov within 48 hours after taking a deer under the tag and before midnight of the last day of the season on which the deer was shot (unless the deer is taken during the youth deer season — see the regulations at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources site for more information on deadlines for reporting).
Advantages of a Landowner Tag
Iowa residents who secure a landowner tag not only gain opportunities for extended season dates but also for specific hunting rights, significantly increasing their chances for successful harvest. If that is not enough, the economic impact of their land helps to drive the local economy, and it may even keep a few elusive bucks around for a later date.
Unlike non-residents, who face an extremely limited window of opportunity for antler-less deer, Iowa’s landowners enjoy over four months (plus prime bonus days) in which they can pursue them (see below). And though these same hunters who purchase 200 dollar landowner licenses are (potentially) excluded from certain special draws due to inefficiencies in the system, and don’t have a free license for antlered deer, the sheer number of days available to hunt has a much larger impact on the ground than might be immediately obvious.
In years past, landowners were the only individuals exempt from waiting out the gun season for antlerless deer; however, in 2017, non-resident hunters who bought a Wild Turkey Habitat Access Permit also qualified. Of course, with a House File in play to eliminate this program completely, landowners should be careful about drawing too many conclusions about the future. Though the legislature may draw it back, there is a chance that tighter restrictions are in store. Similarly, the legislature seems bound and determined to take landowners off of the list of eligible applicants for the CBM Program, despite the resounding success of the program in years past.
But in the meantime, landowners will have a few months in which a trove of deer hide around their land – even during gun season. Which, as we all know , is woefully under-identified or ineffectively hunted across the state. In other words, landowners are in a prime spot to bring a few more deer to the ground this year. Which is great news for any of the lucky ones able to reap the benefits of an antler-less license.
Of course, landowners also have the ability to flee the frigid grip of January in Iowa for a little slice of paradise some 250 miles south of Iowa City, where they can hunt big-foot’s horn-less cousin instead. Which if I am being completely transparent here, is generally only good for one thing: an incredible amount of waste. But hey, if there is one thing we have more of in Iowa than we can handle, it is deer – right?
But a landowner tag affords more than just an extended season, special hunting rights, and a free license every now and again. Just think about it – the more each landowner can harvest from their land, the more it can help shape the local economy, put food on the table, and preserve ecological harmony. Not only should landowners be thankful to have this opportunity, but everyone in Iowa should be thankful that there are individuals willing to put forth the time, energy, and resources to claim their stake in the local ecology.
Luckily, the drawing for landowner licenses occurs before nearly every chapter of the season. So anyone wanting to enjoy the benefits of a landowner tag can sign up for one at any time. But even if a large chunk of a given unit is owned by individuals who will live there, work there, and socialize there, that doesn’t mean that all of the deer are going to find their way to them (at least not in Iowa).
So increase the overall likelihood that you will be able to enjoy one on your own land, by placing your bets across every tag available.
Common Questions and Clarifications
Here’s a roundup of some of the most frequently asked questions that arise in connection with Iowa landowner tag rules:
Can I get a free tag for someone to hunt my land for free?
I get this question all the time. The short answer is no. Landowners are not entitled to free tags for others to hunt for free on their property.
In fact, the law is clear that hunting on a landowner’s property is a privilege and is therefore prohibited without permission and a tag purchased for the hunt. See I.C.A. § 481A.38. Hence, if you were granted a free landowner deer hunting tag, you would be in violation of the law if someone harvested a deer off your land without a license (because the privilege was not granted).
Do I have to tell the person who gets my landowner tag where to hunt?
The law does not specifically address whether landowners must give hunters who receive landowner tags information such as where to go or when. As a practical matter, I believe this is a good idea as a courtesy.
Can I transfer my landowner tag to anyone I choose?
No. You can only transfer the tag to a person who you deem is "sincerely interested in developing an appreciation of Iowa’s natural resources," I.C.A. § 483A.38(4), or a person who you deem sincerely interested in managing wildlife on your land. See I.C.A. § 483A.38(2). The bottom line is that the recipient of either type of tag must have some nexus to your land.
I don’t want a landowner tag but I want to prevent misuse. Can I get a landowner tag that I use only when giving tags out to family or friends?
Unfortunately, this is not allowed under the law. Here’s why:
Associate landowner: An associate landowner gets a free tag according to Iowa law for each season and for each species that he/she owns sufficient acreage to have an interest (100 acres for deer). See I.C.A. § 483A.38(1).
Guest landowner: A guest landowner is limited to one free tag per year for each season and for each species. I.C.A. § 483A.38(3). The purpose of the law is to allow the guest landowner to shoot a deer off of the land owned by the regular landowner to whom the guest tag is issued.
Hence, the law does not permit the regular landowner to bequeath the guest tag to his/her progeny and then it bequeathed back to the regular landowner as the law requires the guest tag to be reserved specifically for the guest landowner.
Final Thoughts and Guidelines
As Iowa resident landowners start to receive their tags, keep these points in mind: IEW is committed to following the rules and to ensure 100% compliance with Iowa Department of Natural Resource’s rules. When preparing to go hunting, landowners may want to consider the following best practices:
• Before taking any game on your property, landowners should get to know their current hunting and tag allocation rights by reading the IAW law and the IDNR FAQ sheet.
• Landowners should be aware of the number of licenses, including anterless tags, for deer, turkey, pheasants and waterfowl they are authorized.
• It is a landowner’s responsibility to submit requests for any tags that may have been inadvertently missed .
• Remind all guests, businesses and family members using the property to also be aware of the rules and to comply with them.
• If landowners have questions about regulations or how many licenses, including anterless tags, have been used, their landowner liaison can assist.
• Landowners may want to talk with their local representatives about other ways to enjoy their property that do not involve the use of tags or licenses.
• If landowners do not intend to use all the licenses available, or if they wish to donate tags for their children or grandchildren, they should speak with local representatives and give them plenty of notice.
• Landowners should consider sharing tags with neighbors.