571—91.3(481A) Goose hunting.

1. 91.3(1)  Zone boundaries. Zone boundaries are as specified in the November 2023 Waterfowl Hunting Map Book published on the department’s website (www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Migratory-Game-Birds), chapter 1 “Waterfowl Hunting Zones.”
2. 91.3(2)  Season dates - north zone. For all geese: The first segment of the regular goose season will begin on the Saturday nearest September 23 and run for a 16-day period. The second segment of the goose season will open on the Saturday nearest October 14 and continue for 53 consecutive days. The goose season will reopen on the Saturday nearest December 13 and remain continuously open until the total number of days used for goose hunting reaches 107.
3. 91.3(3)  Season dates - central zone. For all geese: The first segment of the regular goose season will begin on the Saturday nearest September 30 and run for a 16-day period. The second segment of the goose season will open on the Saturday nearest October 21 and continue for 53 consecutive days. The goose season will reopen on the Saturday nearest December 20 and remain continuously open until the total number of days used for goose hunting reaches 107.
4. 91.3(4)  Season dates - south zone. For all geese: The first segment of the regular goose season will begin on the Saturday nearest October 7 and run for a 16-day period. The second segment of the goose season will open on the Saturday nearest October 28 and continue for 53 consecutive days. The goose season will reopen on the Saturday nearest December 27 and remain continuously open until the total number of days used for goose hunting reaches 107.
5. 91.3(5)  Bag limit. The daily bag limit for dark geese (Canada geese, white-fronted geese, brant and any other geese that are not light geese) is five and may include no more than two Canada geese during the first segment of the statewide season and no more than three Canada geese during the remainder of the statewide season. The daily bag limit for light geese (white and blue-phase snow geese and Ross’ geese) is 20.
6. 91.3(6)  Possession limit. The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit for Canada geese, brant and white-fronted geese. There is no possession limit for light geese.
7. 91.3(7)  Shooting hours. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until sunset each day.

8. 91.3(8)  Light goose conservation order season. Only light geese (white and blue-phase snow geese and Ross’ geese) may be taken under a conservation order from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service beginning the day after the regular goose season closes and continuing until May 1.

   1. a. Zone boundaries. Statewide.
   2. b. Shooting hours. One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
   3. c. Bag limit. No bag limit.
   4. d. Possession limit. No possession limit.
   5. e. Other regulations. Methods of take approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for hunting light geese during the conservation order season shall be permitted.

9. 91.3(9)  Metropolitan goose hunting seasons and specified areas.

   1. a. Season dates. The second Saturday in September for nine consecutive days.
   2. b. Bag limit. Daily bag limit is five Canada geese.
   3. c. Possession limit. Three times the daily bag limit.

   4. d. Specified areas.

      1. (1) Cedar Rapids/Iowa City. Areas are as specified in the November 2023 Waterfowl Hunting Map Book published on the department’s website (www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Migratory-Game-Birds), chapter 2 “Metropolitan Goose Hunting Areas.”
      2. (2) Des Moines. Areas are as specified in the November 2023 Waterfowl Hunting Map Book published on the department’s website (www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Migratory-Game-Birds), chapter 2 “Metropolitan Goose Hunting Areas.”
      3. (3) Cedar Falls/Waterloo. Areas are as specified in the November 2023 Waterfowl Hunting Map Book published on the department’s website (www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Migratory-Game-Birds), chapter 2 “Metropolitan Goose Hunting Areas.”

[ARC 9238C, IAB 5/14/25, effective 6/18/25]