Migratory birds 2026-27

Iowa dove & migratory bird hunting

Mourning Dove · Eurasian Collared-Dove · American Woodcock · Wilson's Snipe · Sora · Virginia Rail

Home state

Open now

Mourning Dove, Wilson's Snipe, Sora & Virginia Rail, American Woodcock

Nonresident cost

$155.50

For the season · $101.50 for a 5-day trip

Dove

15 a day

Opens Sep 1

Species

Mourning Dove, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Woodcock…

How nonresidents hunt dove and migratory birds in Iowa

Nonresidents need the hunting/habitat license (annual or 5-day) plus the Migratory Bird Fee; covers dove, woodcock, snipe and rail. No king or clapper rail (no coastal marsh).

Rail Sept. 5 - Nov. 13.

Season calendar

SepOctNov

Mourning Dove

Wilson's Snipe

Sora & Virginia Rail

American Woodcock

Today

Seasons & bag limits

Mourning Dove

Regular

Sep 1 – Nov 29, 2026

Mourning Dove15 daily45 poss.

Wilson's Snipe

Regular

Sep 5 – Nov 30, 2026

Wilson's Snipe8 daily24 poss.

Sora & Virginia Rail

Regular

Sep 5 – Nov 13, 2026

Sora & Virginia rail (combined)12 daily36 poss.

American Woodcock

Regular

Oct 3 – Nov 16, 2026

American Woodcock3 daily9 poss.

What a nonresident needs to buy

Migratory Bird Fee

Source · checked Sep 23, 2026 ·

$11.50

Hunting license: choose one

Nonresident 5-Day Hunting/Habitat License (18+): Not valid for deer or turkey.

Source · checked Sep 23, 2026 ·

$144.00

Total for the season

Pick a license above to compare

$155.50

Official sources

Iowa migratory bird regulations Iowa Department of Natural Resources Licenses & fees

Last checked Oct 14, 2026.

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Iowa dove & migratory bird hunting

How nonresidents hunt dove and migratory birds in Iowa

Season calendar

Seasons & bag limits

Mourning Dove

Wilson's Snipe

Sora & Virginia Rail

American Woodcock

What a nonresident needs to buy

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