Mahaska County Ranger Highlights Hunting Opportunities, Wildlife Conditions and Important Rules for 2026 Season

OSKALOOSA, Iowa – As fall hunting seasons begin across Iowa, Mahaska County Conservation wants to remind hunters and outdoor lovers about public land opportunities, new state hunting rules, and safety tips for enjoying the outdoors.

Ethan Zieglowsky, a park ranger with Mahaska County Conservation, recently spoke with Oskaloosa News about the 2026 hunting season. They talked about public hunting spots in Mahaska County, local wildlife, hunting rules, disease issues, and safety for hunters and other visitors.

Zieglowsky, who is new to the county conservation team, said he maintains county parks during the week and patrols recreation areas on weekends. Hunting season brings more activity to many county-managed properties.

The interview, along with new regulations and wildlife updates from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), gives hunters useful details to help them get ready for the months ahead.

Public Hunting Opportunities Throughout Mahaska County

Mahaska County has many public hunting spots, including woods, tallgrass prairies, wetlands, and river bottoms. These different habitats let hunters go after deer, pheasants, rabbits, squirrels, waterfowl, and other game.

One of the larger county-managed locations is Russell Wildlife Area, northeast of Oskaloosa near New Sharon. According to Mahaska County Conservation, the property includes approximately 424 acres of timber, prairie, ponds, and land along the South Skunk River.

The property is located at 2254 200th Street near New Sharon. It offers hunting, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor activities.

Zieglowsky said flooding along the river has affected parts of Russell Wildlife Area this year. Hunters should expect wet ground and changing access when visiting.

Southwest of Oskaloosa, Swanson-Lomax Wildlife Area provides another public hunting opportunity. The 49-acre property is located approximately six miles southwest of the city at 1972 29th Street. It includes open fields, wooded areas, and a pond.

Zieglowsky said the property has a food plot that attracts mourning doves during hunting season.

Farther north, EverTru Natural Wilderness Area offers approximately 74 acres of woodland and grassland habitat. Located at 2110 100th Street, about three miles north of New Sharon, the property provides opportunities for deer, pheasant, and small-game hunting.

Another location is North Skunk River Wildlife Area, a 93-acre property along the North Skunk River. The area includes prairie habitat, wooded ground, and a four-acre food plot that is rotated between different crops.

The property is located next to the state-managed Willie J. Suchy Wildlife Area, giving hunters additional public land to explore.

For hunters interested in waterfowl, Maskunky Marsh and Rose Hill Marsh are two locations worth considering.

Maskunky Marsh, located approximately five miles east of Oskaloosa at 2395 Snyder Avenue, encompasses 92 acres of wetland habitat. The property attracts migrating ducks and other waterfowl throughout the spring and fall.

An important restriction applies at Maskunky Marsh: Hunting is permitted only on the east side of Snyder Avenue. Hunting is prohibited on the west side of the road.

Rose Hill Marsh is located approximately one mile south of Rose Hill along Ventura Avenue. The 138-acre property includes wetlands, wooded areas, and upland habitat on both sides of the road.

Zieglowsky said higher water levels this year might give waterfowl hunters more chances, but conditions will depend on the weather and bird migration.

South of Oskaloosa, Quercus Wilderness Area offers another public hunting location. The 111-acre property at 3139 Kent Avenue contains hardwood timber and other natural habitat. Mahaska County Conservation identifies the property as particularly suitable for wild turkey hunting, although other hunting opportunities are available.

Zieglowsky also discussed Hawthorn Lake Wildlife Management Area, located south of Barnes City.

Unlike the county-managed properties, Hawthorn Lake is managed by the Iowa DNR. The approximately 1,773-acre wildlife management area includes a 182-acre lake, timber, and upland habitat. The property supports deer, pheasant, squirrel, rabbit, and other wildlife, along with waterfowl opportunities.

Hunters should check each property’s boundaries and rules before entering any public hunting area.

Pheasant Hunting Prospects Remain Promising

Pheasant hunting is still one of Iowa’s favorite outdoor traditions, and the latest survey shows another good season ahead.

Zieglowsky talked about how better wildlife habitat and milder winters have helped pheasant numbers.

The Iowa DNR’s 2026 roadside survey provides a more detailed look at current numbers.

According to a report released on October 13th, Iowa’s statewide pheasant survey averaged 23 birds per route. That represents the second-highest August roadside count since 2015, although numbers were lower than the previous year’s survey.

The DNR reported that pheasant counts declined in portions of eastern Iowa, while populations in several northern and western regions remained closer to last year’s levels.

During the 2025 hunting season, an estimated 68,000 Iowa hunters harvested more than 500,000 rooster pheasants.

Weather and habitat are still key for pheasant survival. Harsh winters can cut food supplies and make it hard for birds, while wet springs can hurt nesting and chicks.

Zieglowsky explained that food plots containing plants such as sorghum provide food and cover for pheasants and other wildlife.

These planted areas also attract white-tailed deer.

While Iowa restricts baiting wildlife, food plots are not the same as putting out feed or bait. Hunters should know the difference and check the rules before hunting near feeding areas.

Deer Hunting Seasons and New Regulations

White-tailed deer hunting is also a big part of Iowa’s fall outdoor season.

The state’s early archery season began October 1st and continues through December 4th. The late archery season runs from December 21st through January 10th, 2027.

The Iowa DNR has established the following additional deer hunting dates for the 2026-2027 season.

* Early muzzleloader: October 17th through October 25th.
* First shotgun season: December 5th through December 9th.
* Second shotgun season: December 12th through December 20th.
* Late muzzleloader: December 21st through January 10th, 2027.

Hunters must possess the appropriate licenses and tags for the season Hunters need the right licenses and tags for the season and place they plan to hunt.unting zones.

Mahaska County is included in Zone A, which covers most of Iowa.

Zone B includes eight counties in western and northwestern Iowa: Crawford, Ida, Lyon, O’Brien, Plymouth, Shelby, Sioux, and Woodbury.

Most general deer hunting opportunities in Zone B are restricted to antlered bucks, although limited county-specific any-deer licenses and certain exceptions are available. Party hunting is also prohibited in Zone B.

Zone A continues under its existing general hunting framework, although some counties have additional restrictions.

Hunters must pick the right zone when buying deer licenses. A Zone A license can’t be used in Zone B, and vice versa.

Another change requires tree stands placed on public land to display a metal identification tag bearing the owner’s DNR-issued customer identification number, visible from the ground.

Waterfowl Hunting Dates Vary by Zone

Waterfowl hunting is another major opportunity discussed during the interview.

Mahaska County-area hunters need to pay close attention to Iowa’s Central and South Waterfowl Zones because hunting dates differ depending on location.

For ducks, the Central Zone season runs October 10th through October 16th before closing temporarily. It reopens October 24th and continues through December 15th.

The South Zone duck season begins October 17th and continues through October 23rd. It reopens October 31st and runs through December 22nd.

Goose hunting follows a different schedule.

In the Central Zone, goose hunting is open October 3rd through October 18th, October 24th through December 15th, and December 19th through January 16th, 2027.

In the South Zone, goose hunting is open October 10th through October 25th, October 31st through December 22nd, and December 26th through January 23rd, 2027.

Zieglowsky identified mallards, wood ducks, blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, and northern pintails among the ducks commonly encountered in the area.

Canada geese are also commonly found throughout Mahaska County.

Waterfowl hunting limits change by species and season. Hunters should check the Iowa DNR’s current migratory bird rules instead of assuming one daily limit for all ducks or geese.

The DNR maintains official waterfowl zone maps that hunters can use to determine which regulations apply to their location.

Small-Game and Upland Hunting Seasons

Several other hunting seasons have already started or will open soon.

Iowa’s squirrel and cottontail rabbit seasons opened September 5th.

Fox and gray squirrel hunting continues through January 31st, 2027. The daily limit is six squirrels, with a possession limit of 12.

Cottontail rabbit hunting continues through February 28th, 2027, with a daily limit of 10 and a possession limit of 20.

Youth rooster pheasant hunting takes place October 24th and 25th. The regular rooster pheasant season opens October 31st and continues through January 10th, 2027.

Regular pheasant hunters may harvest three roosters per day and possess no more than 12.

Pheasant hunting hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. These hours apply even when sunrise occurs earlier or sunset occurs later.

Crow season opens October 15th and continues through November 30th, with another season running January 14th through March 31st, 2027.

Trapping opportunities are also available in Iowa. Many furbearer trapping seasons begin November 7th, with different closing dates and restrictions depending on the species.

Deer Diseases Remain a Concern

The conversation also addressed two diseases that can affect Iowa’s white-tailed deer population: chronic wasting disease and epizootic hemorrhagic disease.

Chronic wasting disease, commonly called CWD, is a fatal disease that damages the nervous system of deer and other members of the deer family.

The Iowa DNR reports that CWD has been detected in 39 Iowa counties since it was first confirmed in wild deer in Allamakee County in 2013.

Infected deer may not show visible symptoms during the early stages of the disease. Testing is necessary to confirm infection.

The DNR monitors the disease through surveillance and testing of harvested deer. Hunters interested in testing can contact DNR wildlife staff for information about submitting samples.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, known as EHD, is a different illness.

EHD is caused by a virus transmitted through the bites of small insects called midges. It can cause rapid illness and death in infected deer.

Deer suffering from EHD are sometimes found near ponds, streams, or other water sources.

The disease most often affects deer during late summer and early fall. A killing frost generally ends seasonal outbreaks by eliminating the insects that transmit the virus.

Hunters and landowners who find deer that seem to have died from hemorrhagic disease should report it through the Iowa DNR’s online system.

This information helps wildlife officials track outbreaks and see how local deer are affected.

Iowa Protects Predominantly White Deer

Another subject raised during the interview involved white-tailed deer with unusual coloring, including albino and piebald deer.

A piebald deer has patches of white and normally colored hair, while an albino deer lacks normal pigmentation.

Iowa law specifically protects predominantly white white-tailed deer.

Under Iowa Code Section 481A.124, taking a predominantly white wild white-tailed deer is prohibited.

The law doesn’t set a specific percentage of white coloring. Hunters who see an unusually colored deer should know the rule before deciding to harvest it.

Safety Important for Hunters and Other Park Visitors

With more hunting activity, Zieglowsky stressed that safety matters for everyone using public recreation areas.

Hikers, birdwatchers, photographers, and other outdoor visitors may share public land with hunters during open seasons.

Zieglowsky recommended wearing blaze orange or other bright clothing when walking in woods or places where hunting might happen.

This is especially important during archery deer season because bowhunters are not generally required to wear blaze orange.

The Iowa DNR also encourages hunters to wear more blaze orange than the minimum required by law.

Hunters should always know their target, be aware of what’s beyond it, and keep in touch with others in their group.

For pheasant hunting, the DNR advises hunting parties to establish a plan before entering a field, including where each participant will be positioned.

Firearms should be unloaded when crossing fences or other obstacles.

Drivers also need to stay alert as deer become more active in the fall.

The annual deer breeding season, commonly known as the rut, generally produces increased deer movement during November. Hunting pressure during the December shotgun seasons can also cause deer to move out of wooded areas and across nearby roads.

Drivers should pay particular attention during early morning and evening hours, when deer are frequently active.

Getting Started as a New Hunter

For those new to hunting, Zieglowsky suggested starting with hunter education and learning from experienced hunters.

Iowa requires most people born after January 1st, 1972, to complete an approved hunter education course before purchasing a regular hunting license.

The courses cover firearm safety, hunting laws, wildlife identification, outdoor ethics, and other important skills.

The Iowa DNR offers classroom instruction, online options, and other approved programs.

An apprentice hunting license is also available for eligible beginners who want to hunt under the direct supervision of a licensed adult mentor before completing hunter education.

Zieglowsky suggested that new hunters consider starting with small game, such as squirrels or rabbits, rather than immediately pursuing larger animals.

He also said hunting can help families put food on the table and gives people a chance to spend time outside and learn about wildlife and nature.

Waterfowl hunters need additional credentials beyond the regular hunting license and applicable habitat fee. Hunters who are 16 or older generally need the Iowa Migratory Game Bird Fee and a Federal Duck Stamp.

All migratory game bird hunters must also register annually for the federal Harvest Information Program, commonly known as HIP.

One key date to remember is January 10th. Iowa’s annual hunting licenses, stamps, and fees all expire then, even if some hunting seasons go past that date.

Hunters taking part in seasons that run into late January or February need to make sure they’ve renewed their licenses and fees.

Finding Public Hunting Land and Official Regulations

One of the resources highlighted during the interview was the Iowa DNR’s interactive Hunting Atlas.

The online map allows hunters to search for public hunting opportunities throughout the state, including wildlife management areas, county conservation properties, and private land enrolled in the Iowa Habitat and Access Program, known as IHAP.

The Iowa DNR reported on October 13th that approximately 10,000 acres previously enrolled in IHAP are no longer available for public hunting this fall. That represents roughly one-third of the program’s former acreage, making it especially important for hunters to verify access before entering a property.

The Hunting Atlas is available through the Iowa DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov.

Detailed information about Mahaska County-managed parks and wildlife areas is available at www.mahaskaconservation.com.

Hunters can also purchase licenses, review license information, and report applicable harvests through www.gooutdoorsiowa.com.

For questions about hunting regulations, the Iowa DNR can be reached at 515-725-8200. Mahaska County Conservation can be contacted at 641-673-9327.

With many hunting seasons already started and more coming up, Zieglowsky encouraged local residents to get to know the county’s outdoor options and to pay attention to rules, property lines, wildlife conditions, and safety.

Whether you’re hunting deer in the woods, pheasants in the prairie, ducks in wetlands, or just enjoying the outdoors, Mahaska County has many places where you can experience the area’s natural resources this fall and winter.