Field to Fork: Iowa - Application
Thank you for your interest in the 2024 Field to Fork program in Iowa.  

We are accepting applications from residents in the Ames, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines and Iowa City areas.  Be sure to select the appropriate locations in the application form below. 

This program is designed to provide beginners with a six-month long "hands on" learning experience for adults (21 and over) who are interested in bowhunting, butchering and cooking venison (deer).  As a result of taking the course, participants will:

* Learn and become proficient archery hunters
* Learn basic strategies for deer hunting from experienced archery deer hunters
* Learn how to field dress, butcher and cook wild venison
* Hunt on your own throughout deer archery season in Iowa

Due to the demand of the program we have instituted an application ranking process. Applications will be ranked based on several items such as applicant's previous hunting experience, proximity to area and your answer to question 16 "why you should be selected."

Field to Fork Registration and Fee Information:

Mandatory Costs
Registration Fee:  $200  (Due Upon Accepted Application)
Hunting License & Habitat Stamp: $35
DeerTag $30
Bow Release: $50

** Registration Fee helps cover costs associated with instruction, range usage and additional supplies. In-person and virtual hangouts will be provided throughout the year as well. Compound bows are provided for loan or purchase for those that don't have one. Treestands, safety harnesses and other essential equipment will also be provided.  DNR staff and mentors will work to locate and provide hunting property.  

Payment is not due until participants have been accepted into the course. Application period ends June 1st or when the local site has reached capacity. Financial assistance may be available to qualifying candidates.  For more information on financial assistance, please email  jamie.cook@dnr.iowa.gov

Other items will need to be purchased by the participant after the program begins and will vary based on their own hunting style and preferences. Camo clothing, calls, bags, coolers, and other accessories may be strongly suggested by instructors but will not be provided by DNR. Additional costs incurred will vary and participants will be advised to do their homework before making certain purchases.    

Most participants will participate in antlerless only hunts and purchase tags for government land or local state parks where deer density is high.  In some cities, participants may have access to privately owned land which may permit them to harvest antlered deer.  Participants will be provided with an experienced hunter to help them with treestand placement, tracking shot deer and advice throughout the season. Participants are not required to hunt with their experienced mentor.   In an effort to share equipment and maximize social support, participants will be discouraged from hunting at locations not arranged or approved by the DNR and it's volunteers. If you have access to private land for hunting, please make that known in your resources question in the application.

If you have any questions about the program or costs, please contact the program coordinator Jamie Cook by phone 515.350.8091 or email jamie.cook@dnr.iowa.gov

Please take a few minutes to answer the questions below and we will notify selected participants with further instructions prior to June 1.


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Watch this brief video for more information on Field to Fork
Statewide Timeline - Individual Locations May Vary

  • Archery Practice (June through October)  Scheduled practice times will occur once a week.  Participants will be required to sign in weekly. Participants are encouraged to practice intermittently between scheduled practices on their own.

  • Weekly Homework (mid-July through September) materials will be provided via online partners (ATA) or sources such as Youtube. The printed materials and books will be mailed out in early July.

    • Week One - Deer history and ecology

    • Week Two - Scouting and Hunting Tactics

    • Week Three - Hunting Regulations and Public Land Hunting Opportunities

    • Week Four - Advance Archery

    • Week Five - Tree stands and blinds

    • Week Six - Hunting equipment and clothing

    • Week Seven - After the shot and field dressing

    • Week Eight - Skinning, Butchering and Meat Preparation for storage

    • Week Nine - Cooking


  • Field Skills Integration (August and September) sessions will provide hands-on learning for participants to practice crucial skills regarding bowhunting safety. Topics include field dressing, butchering and cooking with expert hunters, butchers and chefs.  These events may be incorprated into regular weekly practices.   Some locations may choose a single day event which would be mandatory.


  • Social Support (ongoing through season) is a series of non mandatory scheduled events, practices and online meeting sources, such as Zoom.  


  • Hunting (Archery Deer Season) will be up to participants own choosing and must take place during regular archery season under statewide regulations or as local property is managed.  Participants will not be required to hunt with their mentor, but encouraged to hunt on their own.  If help with finding or field dressing a deer is needed then their mentor or other instructor can be contacted by a text or phone call. This allows for participants to hunt at their own leisure as their schedules allow.  We encourage hunters to make at least six trips to their stand between October 1 and January 10.

Which is your preferred location? *
Full Name *
First, Middle and Last name
Date of Birth *
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Email *
Phone number *
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Please provide your physical address below: *
Please Provide Your Iowa Driver's License Number *
Have you purchased an Iowa hunting or fishing license before?  *
Have you recently gone hunting? *
How many times have you hunted? *
Are you right or left eye dominate? *
Watch this video for assistance in determining eye dominance.
Do you have any experience with archery? *
Do you have any of the following resources?  Please check all that apply. *
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Have you tried wild venison? *
Please tell us why you should be selected to particpate in Field to Fork: (Hint - focus on specific skills you hope to obtain)  The length and quality of your answer will influence your acceptance into the program. *
Someone from the Field to Fork program may contact you to conduct a phone interview.  Would you agree to a phone interview? *
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