- Join a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day
- 2024 hunting, fishing licenses expire Jan. 10
- Hunting seasons starting to close
- We’re Hiring! Find a summer job in your favorite state park or forest
Join a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day
DES MOINES – What’s the best way to spend New Year’s Day? Take a First Day Hike in an Iowa state park or forest!
More than 40 parks are hosting either a guided group hike or suggesting a self-guided hike. Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, and experience spectacular views, beautiful settings and the cultural treasures offered by Iowa’s state parks.
“We are excited to host First Day Hikes again, helping visitors experience Iowa state parks and forests year-round,” said Sherry Arntzen, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ State Parks, Forests and Preserves Bureau. “These hikes are a great way to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family.”
Staff and volunteers will lead free, guided First Day Hikes in more than 40 participating state parks. Some hikes will include wildlife viewing and hot beverages. Hikes will average one to two miles, or longer, depending on location.
Details about the hikes can be found at www.iowadnr.gov/firstdayhikes. To see a comprehensive national map of First Day Hikes, visit www.stateparks.org
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2024 hunting, fishing licenses expire Jan. 10
2024 hunting and fishing licenses expire on Jan. 10, 2025. All hunters and anglers will need a 2025 license to hunt or fish beginning Jan. 11.
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Hunting seasons starting to close
Iowa’s pheasant, late muzzleloader and archery deer, and archery fall turkey seasons close on Jan. 10. Squirrel, quail, partridge and grouse remain open until Jan. 31.
Furbearer seasons and rabbit season is open until Feb. 28. Crow season is Jan. 14 to March 31. Beaver trapping season closes on April 15.
For waterfowl, the north zone dark and light goose season closes on Jan. 11, the central zone dark and light goose season closes on Jan. 18, and the south zone dark and light goose season closes on Jan. 25.
The light goose conservation order season is open Jan. 26 to May 1 statewide; additional regulations apply.
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We’re Hiring! Find a summer job in your favorite state park or forest
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hiring seasonal positions for summer 2025 in the Iowa state park and forest system. Work alongside conservation professionals building skills for careers in natural resources. Seasonal workers primarily work in the outdoors performing hands-on duties in natural resource management, park operations, visitor engagement, and/or law enforcement. Each park has unique needs depending on its natural areas, recreational opportunities and amenities.
Learn more about summer 2025 job opportunities and find out how to apply at: www.iowadnr.gov/employment
