Iowa’s Rabbit and Squirrel Season Opens Sept. 5 — What Hunters Need to Know

By Buck Garrett | Hunting Magazine

Iowa’s cottontail rabbit and squirrel seasons open statewide on Sept. 5, and this is shaping up to be one of the better years in recent memory to chase both. The 2026 rabbit population is holding steady with 2025’s decade-best numbers, squirrels are keying in on a fresh mast crop, and hunters will find wide-open access with almost no competition from other hunters.

Here’s the breakdown on dates, limits, and where to find birds — er, bunnies and bushytails — this fall.

When Does Iowa’s Rabbit and Squirrel Season Open in 2026?

Both seasons open September 5, 2026, statewide. According to the Iowa DNR, cottontail rabbit season runs through Feb. 28, 2027, while squirrel season runs through Jan. 31, 2027. Jackrabbit season remains closed.

Iowa Cottontail Rabbit Season: Limits and Outlook

Iowa’s 2026 rabbit population is unchanged from last year, and 2025 was the best rabbit season in more than a decade. “It should be a really good year for rabbit hunting not only for experienced hunters, but for young or novice hunters who can learn necessary skills with little competition,” said Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife research biologist with the Iowa DNR.

• Daily limit: 10 rabbits
• Possession limit: 20 rabbits
• Shooting hours: Sunrise to sunset
• Blaze orange: Not required, but recommended

Iowa hunters have averaged roughly 90,000 cottontail rabbits harvested per year over the past decade. Most hunting happens after crop harvest, walking brushy cover along field edges with a shotgun or .22 rifle in the early morning or evening — solo or with a small group. Bogenschutz’s advice: “There are a lot of areas that may not get looked at for other species that would be good options for rabbit hunting. My advice would be to do some scouting and to knock on doors.” Iowa also draws nonresident rabbit hunters from Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, and Arkansas every fall.

Iowa Squirrel Season: Limits and Where to Look

Squirrel season runs Sept. 5 through Jan. 31, 2027, with no restriction on shooting hours.

• Daily limit: 6 total, any combination of fox squirrels and gray squirrels
• Possession limit: 12

Around 20,000 Iowa hunters harvest roughly 100,000 squirrels each year. Fox squirrels tend to run in more open pasture timber and woodlots, while gray squirrels favor mature, denser timber. “Squirrels will be found around hickory, oak and walnut trees producing a heavy mast crop,” said Jim Coffey, forest wildlife biologist for the Iowa DNR. That mast-driven pattern lines up with what state wildlife agencies consistently document nationwide: early-season squirrels concentrate around hickory trees, then shift toward oak stands as acorns mature and leaves start dropping, according to a beginner’s guide from the West Virginia DNR.

Coffey also flags the practical stuff hunters tend to forget in early September: expect mosquitoes and other biting insects, and hunt the cool early mornings when squirrels are most active before the heat sets in.

Why Squirrel Hunting Builds Better Hunters

Squirrel hunting isn’t just a low-cost way to get outside — it’s a skill-builder. “Squirrel hunting is an opportunity to hone your skills to avoid being seen while in the woods, skills needed to hunt other species, like deer and wild turkey. If you mess up and spook a squirrel, there is usually another one just down the ridge,” Coffey said.

Common methods are stalking (relying on hearing squirrels eating or barking) or sitting and calling, which requires good camouflage and minimal movement. Coffey recommends bringing someone new to hunting along, calling squirrels “definitely an underutilized resource,” and pointing out that early squirrel season doubles as a good excuse to scout timber for spring turkey season or look for whitetail deer rubs ahead of bow season.

Where to Hunt Rabbits and Squirrels in Iowa

Iowa has more than 600,000 acres of public land open to hunting, searchable through the state’s online hunting atlas. Hunters can also access additional private acres through the Iowa Habitat and Access Program (IHAP), which opens enrolled land to hunting from Sept. 1 through May 31, with conservation officers available for enforcement assistance if needed.

FAQ: Iowa Rabbit and Squirrel Season 2026

When does Iowa’s 2026 rabbit and squirrel season open?
September 5, 2026, statewide for both species.

How long does Iowa’s rabbit season run?
September 5, 2026 through February 28, 2027.

How long does Iowa’s squirrel season run?
September 5, 2026 through January 31, 2027.

What is the daily bag limit for rabbits and squirrels in Iowa?
Rabbits: 10 daily, 20 in possession. Squirrels: 6 daily (any combination of fox and gray), 12 in possession.

Is blaze orange required for small game hunting in Iowa?
It’s not required for rabbit or squirrel hunting, but the Iowa DNR recommends wearing it.

Where should I look for squirrels early in the season?
Hickory, oak, and walnut trees with an active mast crop — squirrels concentrate wherever the nuts are dropping.

Sources: Iowa Department of Natural Resources; West Virginia Division of Natural Resources