Tags for the 2025-26 deer season went on sale Aug. 15, and new this year, is a disabled veterans deer tag, that was signed into law during the last legislative session.

To qualify for the new tag, hunters must be a resident of Iowa and have served in the armed forces of the United States on federal active duty and were disabled during their military service (service connected disability). Hunters will be issued one any deer tag valid or any established firearm season, if eligible. The fee is $33, and hunters are required to use the method of take for the season hunted.

Applicants will need to provide a copy of DD214 or higher, a copy of current letter provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs which indicates they are entitled to a service connected disability rating, and a copy of Hunter Safety Certificate, if required or not already on the customer’s account, and submit the Iowa Resident Disabled Veterans Lifetime Licenses and Tags application, available online at https://www.iowadnr.gov/things-do/hunting-trapping/hunting-licenses.

Those who already have a service related disability application on file do not need to submit and new application to qualify for this new license. Currently, around 20,000 Iowans have designation. Once application has been processed, they may purchase a deer license online or at any vendor that sells Iowa hunting and fishing licenses.

This disabled veteran tag has different requirements and application than that of the established severely disabled deer hunter season. For more information, go to https://www.iowadnr.gov/things-do/hunting-trapping/hunting-licenses.