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Best time in Iowa

Danno1956

New Member
My 2 brothers and I are planning on coming to Iowa this november for a week long archery hunt. We've made contact with a landowner and secured some private land as well as a lot of research of the public land. This will be a DIY hunt. We've hunted in Illinois a few years and thought we'd try Iowa this fall. The question I have for any one who cares to help is, what week would be the best week to be there? We were looking at 11/3 thru 11/9. I know that there's no exact science to it, just looking for opinions. This week is in between the full moons. Not sure if that makes a big difference. There are varying opinions about that too. Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
 
Just remembered something I forgot in above post. We are planning on hunting the south central part of the state.
 
If I had to pick a 7 day time frame to hunt IA it would be Nov. 2nd through the 9th. If I had to pick one day it would Nov. 6th.

Don't exactly know any of the science behind the moon phase stuff but that's the time period that I've always had the most luck in.
 
I see you're from Maine and I assume you have to book your plane flight in advance, but a big part of it will be the weather. I hunted southeast Iowa for the first time last fall and my first morning there (November 2nd) it was about 15 degrees and calm in the morning and I had one of the best sits I've ever had in my life. I saw 15 different bucks before 11:00 and two were 160" plus. It warmed up later in the week and the movement slowed down a little. I live in Wisconsin so I drove home for the 4 days it was warm and then came back the following weekend after it cooled back down (November 10th) and the hunting was great again. I would say anywhere in this time frame is good, but is better if the weather stays cool.

MB1
 
is any part of November bad???
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We've found that the second week in November is when we see most of the top end stuff. If you are looking to see a ton of 2-1/2 and 3-1/2 year olds, the first week is very good, but the big-boys seem more likely to move mid November. Just an opinion - I think weather is a huge factor as well. The last few years it's been pretty warm early November which didn't help the daytime movement.
 
Lonewolf is right on from my experience, but I did shoot my biggest IA buck NOV 6.
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I like to start when the ghosts and goblins are out and I am usually wrapped up by the 5 or 6th of Nov if all goes well.

I hunt farther north so it may be a tad later where you plan to hunt.
 
I like the 3rd week of Nov. See less deer but BIGGUNS!!!!! Can't go wrong with the first week either! Good luck!
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Anytime Nov 1 through the 15th would be hard to argue with.

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Ditto. Weather seems to make a lot more difference than the date, IMO.
 
Thank you to all of you that responded to my post. We'll have to look over the info and make a decision about which week we'll go. Now all we need to do is secure permits and wait about 6 months. Thanks again.
 
By the looks of the photos you guys sure killed a bunch of them last year, but I bet there's a couple left out there somewhere.
 
oct.1 through early jan............ just pick a day....... lets face it.... it really doesnt matter what month or weekyou hunt iowa any day could be the day you kill the big one...... but november 9th and 12th are the best 2 days hahahahaha
 
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I've shot 3 bucks on Veteran's day.

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Great day right there IMO. See lots a deer on this day also
 
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