Legal Archery Equipment for Hunting Turkeys

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

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.