Hunting & Fishing Licenses

You can purchase your fishing and hunting licenses and hunting tags HERE at the Recorder's office. Please have your driver's license available. We can also use your date of birth with your DNR customer ID, social security number, or driver's license to create your account or look up a current account. Hunters and anglers are responsible to make sure they have a current license. Licenses are issued annually or can be purchased in combos up to 3 years.

Schedule Appointment 

Appointments are needed to purchase fishing/hunting licenses/tags in person at the Marion County Recorder's Office. You may call our office 641-828-2211 for an appointment or click the link above to schedule online. 

Military Personnel

Iowa Resident who is currently Active Duty on authorized leave from a duty station outside Iowa: may hunt or fish without a license. While hunting or fishing, you must carry your leave papers and a copy of a current earning statement showing an Iowa income tax deduction. 

Iowa DNR Information

• Iowa Department of Natural Resources
• Purchase/Renew Hunting and Fishing Licenses 
• Hunting Season Dates 
• Hunter Education Program

State of Iowa DNR Applications can be found here: 

DNR Applications

All applications must be filed with the State of Iowa DNR directly.  The Marion County Recorder's office will provide you with copies if you cannot access or print from the Iowa DNR site. 

FISHING

• Under 16 years old
  • Iowa residents & Non-residents can fish without a license but may need to purchase a trout fee.
• County Care / State Institution Residents
  • Minor residents of any county care facilities, care facilities under US Dept of Human Services, or a person receiving Chapter 29 supplementary assistance; may fish without a license.
• State School for Blind or State School for the Deaf
  • Minor pupils attending either of these schools may fish without a license. 

HUNTING

New requirement starting 2023 Deer season: Hunters who harvest an antlered deer must report the length of the main beam of each antler.

All hunters born after January 1, 1972, must satifactorily complete a hunter education course to obtain a hunting license.

• Residents under 12 can be issued deer/turkey tags but must be accompained by and under immediate control of or direct supervision of a licensed adult.
• Classes are typically held from March 1 - November 15 each year.
• Iowa recoginzes hunter education certificates issued by other states and some foreign nations.

Deer tags go on sale SEPTEMBER 15.

• JANUARY tags
  • Population Management January Antlerless
    • Season dates: January 11-21, 2024
    • Sale dates: December 15 - end of season
      • in participating counties only if antlerless licenses are still available.
      • Participating counties this season; if number of unsold antlerless licenses on December 18, 2023 exceeds 100:
        • Appanoose, Monroe, Lucas, Wayne, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Decatur
  • Excess Tag January Antlerless
    • Season dates: January 11-21, 2024
    • Sale dates: January 11 - end of season
      • in all counties only if antlerless licenses are still available.