Whitetails 365: Hunting Iowa’s Gun Seasons 2022

Whitetails 365: Hunting Iowa’s Gun Seasons 2022

“I Got Him Daddy, I Got Him?”

By Noel Gandy

One of the greatest instances of my personal hunting career had very little to do with me pulling a trigger and more to do with the fact that my son had just put a well-placed shot on his first target buck. Sure, he’d gotten a deer before. However, this was the first time that he had put the plan together, done the work to enact the plan, and successfully harvested a deer that he had his eye on. I was a proud Dad.

Had there not been an opportunity for my boy to use a gun in this instance then I don’t know that the light for deer hunting and wildlife management in general would burn quite as brightly in his life. The gun seasons in Iowa present such opportunities. Opportunities abound for new hunters to hit the woods, more seasoned hunters to continue the tradition, and hunting enthusiasts in general to have one more opportunity to enjoy the great natural resource that is the whitetail deer.

I’ve enjoyed using these seasons to get my boy in the field. We love the Iowa youth season but sometimes it’s not always in the cards for him to get a buck during that segment of the year. The great thing about the youth tag is that it can be utilized during any open portion of the deer season as long as the appropriate weapon is used. Therefore, the gun seasons make a great time to get a kid BACK into the field and not limit him or her to just the short September segment.

What’s even better? Over the course of the past few years there have become many different options for different calibers to be used during the “shotgun” season. Certainly, shotguns can be used. Also different versions of a rifle can now be taken to the field. The following information comes directly from the Iowa DNR website as it pertains to rifling:
The most important criteria is that the selected caliber is at least .350 inches, but no greater than .500 inches. If you’re not sure if your cartridge is allowed, please check with your local DNR conservation officer.

Rifles firing straight wall or other centerfire ammunition propelling an expanding-type bullet with a maximum diameter of no less than .350 of an inch and no larger than .500 of an inch and with a published or calculated muzzle energy of 500-foot pounds or higher is legal for hunting deer during the youth and disabled hunting season and first and second shotgun seasons.

The following is a partial list of allowable cartridges. Cartridges meeting the criteria defined above are legal whether listed here or not.

.35 Whelen .350 Legend .358 Winchester .375 Winchester .40 S&W .44 Magnum .444 Marlin .45 Long Colt .45 Raptor .450 Bushmaster .450 Marlin .45-70 Govt .460 S&W .500 S&W

The new preferred caliber of choice for the Gandy clan is the .44 Magnum. What a gun! This tiny but mighty single shot from a break action rifle packs a wallop! The great thing is that it packs such a punch but the recoil is very limited. The same goes for many other calibers that fit the criteria of rifles that can be used during the shotgun season. Gone now are the days where kids are getting knocked over by heavy shotguns. More options, although limited, are good for the hunter. I personally appreciate the fact that Iowa has not enacted a law that allows for higher powered rifles. I am grateful, however, for the use of the limited calibers!

Shotgun seasons aren’t just for kids who have youth tags in their pockets. Many hunters often look forward to that first weekend of December. Tradition is not something that is lost on me. This year on December 3-7 we will see an orange army take to the field in hopes of filling their freezers with some high quality, free ranging protein. Many times, this is done as a “party” hunt which is perfectly legal in our state.

If the first five days don’t work out, whether it be weather, work, or otherwise, then have no fear because hunters have the option to hunt the 2nd gun season. This season dates a touch longer encompassing two weekends and runs from December 10-18 this year. I have zero experience party hunting so far be it for me to make any rampant statements about the like. I understand tradition, though, and know that it is greatly looked forward to by many.

I would give great caution to those who hunt with a group: enjoy yourselves but please be careful. Remember when I mentioned this was a great time to get new folks into the field? Don’t forget that! Along with seasoned veterans of the whitetail woods there are many more who have little to no experience. Not only do many not have experience hunting but they are often burdened with inexperience with a firearm. Take extra time to give great helpings of education when it is needed. Don’t be afraid to be a great mentor and example to someone who might not have the life experience as you.

Safety, I feel like I write about this in every article, is paramount while out in the field. Iowa regulations state that solid hunter’s orange on your upper torso is a requirement. Top it off with an orange hat although that is not a requirement. Go slow. Make sure that everyone knows where everyone else is positioned. Always identify your target! You get the idea. Have a plan in case something does go sideways.

Party hunting isn’t the only way to hunt. It’s just a way. Again, as mentioned in my son’s instance of getting a buck before, taking time to hunt cut crop fields, food plots, or even the timber can be a very fruitful way to get a buck. I enjoy solitude while in the field. That’s part of the recreation for me. Therefore, my crew will each sit in stands or locations that were previously meant for archery hunting. Sometimes we’ll adjust to where we can see a touch farther just to extend the range but all in all we hunt very similarly. I know the rut has wound down so check out patterns that you noticed in early October. Often, deer will revert to those patterns. They are slaves to their stomachs so hone in on food if things start getting on the chilly side.

Iowa gun seasons one and two are almost a rite of passage for a resident deer hunter. I hope you’ll take time to enjoy and appreciate God’s gift to us in the great outdoors and in particular the whitetail deer. I hope this season gifts you filled freezers and filled hearts as you put another year in the memory banks.