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Got IA tag first time ever can you give me info

M

MXZ

Guest
Hi All ,
I got tag for zone 3 never been to IA before really looking forward to it. Any information would be a big help.We plan to hunt from Nov.26 - Dec 4th. At this time it looks like we will have to hunt state land. Anyone have any input on location ? Is it hard to get permission to hunt farms out there ? I have hunted many different states and have taken some nice bucks, any suggestions on what I should set my goal at ? When hunting IL. I hold out for P&Y class bucks don't have to tell ya I have eaten some tags how ever I all so have some P&Y class bucks on the wall. Can one espect to see 125 class & up bucks on the state land ? Are the woods in zone 3 small wood lots ? well any information you would like to give... Thank You All Your Hunting Friend From Vermont ... Gary.
 
I was curious if someone could post a map of the zones that the non-residents apply for. I would like to see where the zones fall in our state. Since I'm a resident I've never have looked into this. I would like to see where some of you will be hunting come this fall. I wouldn't know zone 1 from zone 5.
Pupster
 
PUPSTER, I AM SURE THAT YOU CAN VIEW THE ZONE MAP THROUGH THE IOWA DNR WEBSITE. YOU MAY WANT TO LOOK UNDER OUT OF STATE DEER APPLICATION PROCEDURES. A ZONE MAP WOULD HAVE TO BE THERE FOR THE APPLICANT TO USE. WHY ARE YOU CURIOUS AS TO WHERE THE OUT OF STATE HUNTERS WILL BE ???
 
MXZ, CONGRATULATIONS ON DRAWING YOUR TAG(S). OUR GROUP OF 5 HAVE ALSO DRAWN TAGS BUT WILL BE IN ZONE 5. SEEMS LIKE YOU'VE HUNTED OUT OF STATE BEFORE. A GOOD PLACE TO START IS THE WILDLIFE BIOLOGISTS @ THE IOWA D.N.R.. SIZE OF BUCKS CAN BE GREAT WHEN THE WEATHER COOPERATES OR LOUSY IF ITS A WARM FALL. IN ALL THE YEARS THIS GROUP I GO WITH , THEY'VE SEEN B & C QUALITY TO 125 CLASS P & Y TO LITTLE GUYS WHEN THE WEATHER WAS TO WARM FOR THE TIME OF YEAR. BUT, THE POTENTIAL IS THERE FOR A HUGE DEER TO APPEAR AT ANY TIME. WE HUNT PRIVATE LAND BUT I ASSUME THAT THE QUALITY OF DEER CAN'T BE TO DIFFERENT ON PUBLIC LAND. IT'S IOWA, EVERYTHING IS BIG !!!
 
8PT : I can't get to IA until Nov 26th & will hunt for 8 or 9 days. You are correct I hunt ever where it seems for big buck but where I live!! We just don't have them and will not in my life time everyone here talks about wanting to shoot a good buck but few will ever do what it takes pass a small buck.
Well anyway I am going to Ont. Canada from Oct25th- Nov.6th then to IL from 8th - Nov.24th. then on to finish up in IA Nov26th - Dec 4th.
Question ( Nov26-Dec4th )
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what is the hunting like I'm thinking the rut has ended for the most part, are the big buck still moving around alot or have they gone to bedding & feeding more ? Have you ever hunted IL ? if so how do they compare? Later A HuntN Friend From VT. MXZ.
 
EIGHTPOINT,
Thanks, I did find the zone distribution map on the DNR website. Just curious I guess. Curious if any non-residents would be hunting in the areas I hunt. I hunt private ground exclusively but might know a farmer or two that's letting someone come and hunt. It's a small world you know, might just run into someone from the website while deer hunting.
Good Luck in Iowa.
Pupster
 
The peak of the rut will have passed by the time you get here, but it's still a awfully good time to hunt. Most mature bucks will be on the move looking for the few remaining does yet to come into estrous. You probably won't see as many bucks as you would in mid-November, however the ones you see will probably be bruisers. Last fall I shot a big bodied nontypical on the 25th at 3:30, I was set up between two bedding areas. I would recommend getting some aerial photos of the land you plan to hunt and look for some natural funnels(brushy fencelines, erosion ditches, bodies of water,etc.). Also, this will be a good time to stay on stand all day as he could come thru at any given time. If you fill your Illinois tag and have the opportunity, you might try and come earlier. Best of luck
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TB
 
2 beards : Thanks glad to get any info you can give. From Nov. 1st. on I stay in my stands all day anyway. I am one who feels that every min. I'm in that stand my odds only go up..YA JUST CAN'T shot um from your bed.
I'm glad to see a little positive light shine on my dates. I will for sure come in sooner if we bag our bucks in IL. Do have have any info on zone 3 state lands ? any suggestion's? Any chance local farmers will allow us to hunt ? I'm pumped to hunt this great state for the first time.
How is the hunting pressure if you know in zone 3? Thanks a huntN Friend From Vermont Gary.
 
MXZ, I think you should fare pretty well over in Western IA. I have heard of some real brusiers coming from the Missouri River Valley and the Loess Hills. I have also heard, however, that it may be hard to get on private ground due to the amount of leasing in the area. I wouldn't be discouraged though, there are always a few farmers around willing to let sportsmen hunt. If you are serious about hunting on private ground, you better get a plat book and go have a look around before the season opens.
Regarding the dates your hunt will take place, I think late Nov. is one of the best time to hunt big deer. I have killed big deer on Dec. 2 bow, Dec. 3 Shotgun, and Dec. 6 shotgun. 3 out of the last four years. Last season I switched to Late Muzzleloader, so I missed out on early Dec. shotgun and unfortunately was unable to fill my bow tag. I also agree that you better be willing to wait them out, if you can you may be rewarded with the trophy of a lifetime.
 
Gary, I wish I could help you out with some of the state land in western Iowa, but I'm not familar with that side of the state at all. As far as getting permission to hunt private land, to be truthful, I think it will be difficult at best...that is unless you happen to know someone or arrange to get permission earlier in the year. Private land has it's advantages, but I've seen some super bucks on our public land as well. You're gonna have to do some homework in order to have a successful hunt... I would start by calling the wildlife biologist for the area you plan to hunt, he should be able to tell you the quality of bucks and amount of hunting pressure certain areas receive. That late in the season most bowhunters will have filled their tag or hung their bow up for the season, so you shouldn't have much competition. Check out Iowa's DNR site, lot's of info there. You should be able to get some aerial photos from Terraserver. Hope this helps. Best of luck
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!

TB
Shane
 
2 Beards & J.Deere :
Thanks for the input, It is a good feeling to see hunters willing to help hunters !
I'll say this I'm going to do my best doing the home work part of it as you can see you both have taken part in some of that already.
I have a friend from Ks whom I have never met only over the net. He is going to come to IA and try to locate me a farm or two that we can hunt.
He worked for J.Deere but is now retired, You know this hunt volunteered to do this for us I really think he should get the sportmenship award !
The more I use the net the more I find hunters like your selfs , Your great guys Thank You both & I hope you both have your best hunting season's ever.
You know where I'll be Nov26th - Dec4th in my stand all day each day. That is if I don't have to get down early to place a tag on a P&Y..Thanks again GUY's A huntN Friend From Vermont ...MXZ...
Now if I could only find hunters who had some land kiddingg ...happy huntN Thanks Think P&Y.
 
Well, I finally drew an archery Iowa tag this year (Zone 4) after getting a preference point last year. I was born and raised in N Central Iowa (Ringsted) but have lived in Texas over 20 yrs now. Tried for 5 years to get Iowa tag with no luck. I now need to find places to hunt. Are there any good public areas you can steer me to in zone 4? I have a couple other sources to investigate, but thought I'd post here as well. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Jerry
 
Bowdoc
We have hunted zone four and have a lot of land leased in that zone and also know of some great state land in that area. I might be able to help you find a good spot. What area in zone 4 are you hoping to hunt and how many guys, and when.
 
MXZ
I have some connections in zone three, i will make a phone call and check out some possibilities for some private land. Not sure where you will be staying but we have a place about half hour from east side of zone 3.
 
WHTFANTASIES :
Are you kidding you really think you can land us some private land to hunt. We don't have a place to stay yet ! been waiting to try and get information, and to locate a loaction to hunt. Anything you are willing to do to help would be outstanding. We will be ariving to start our hunt some time around Nov25th. hunting thru Dec 5th. We may get in 3 days sooner depends on our hunt in IL. Here Is my EMAIL if you would like to drop me a note any information. How many in your hunting party? Well I can't tell ya what it would mean to us to have some private land to hunt, I'm sure you know ! Thanks A Hunting Friend From Vermont ... MXZ.
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( red71@surfglobal.net )
 
Congratulations on getting your tag! If my memory serves me correctly, Zone 3 is the border zone along the Missouri River. With a little bit of research you should have no problem getting that 125+ buck that you are looking for.

As for terrain and ground cover, you have quite a selection in that zone. Typically along the Missouri River you have some fairly expansive timbers typically hardwood, with some willow and "wetter" tree species nearer to the river's edge. The majority of this ground is flat, typically a flood plain environment. You will find some terrific drainage and erosional ditches that run through the corn and soybean fields found here. These are often seen with large cottonwood and oak trees nearby...possibly a great location for a treestand.

The Loess Hills run north and south along the western edge of Iowa. These hills are a wind deposited silty soil that erodes very easily. These hills are typically seen with pasture and hardwood timber, with the occasional crop field.

If I were to choose, my choice for a 125+ buck in Zone 3 would be the Missouri River flood plain. A little more dense cover, plenty of food plots (corn and soybean fields), and larger fields, timbers, and in my opinion, less pressure. I like the area around the town of Missouri Valley just for the fact that you can find a little bit of both the river bottom and Loess Hill country within fairly close proximity. With good planning you could have a little of both to hunt on. (I believe there may be some public access land there too, but I would assume that it sees a lot of pressure).

As for getting access to private land, it just depends. Some of the farmers are looking for a paycheck out of the deal, while others are still more than generous with the deer on their land.

Best of luck. I hope that this information helps you out.
 
dturner : Thanks great information, do you have a suggestion / recommendation as far as state land if we can't land a private farm?? Your suggestion on ditches that run into crops . Being new to the area it would have taken us a little while to notice this ...thanks that saved us some time we now know to look at this.
Thanks you so much for your response and details this was great for us !!!! Are you from the zone 3 area? Thanks again great info your huntN friend MXZ.
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Glad to help out.

If it were me, I would do my best to find some private land to hunt on. The ability to have large tracts of land all to your self would be quite beneficial. I would think that the public land in Zone 3 would see a lot of pressure from other hunters. Have you decided on a town to base out of?

If you have any other questions, feel free to e mail me at dturner@metc.net.
 
dturner : No we have not pick anything as yet in hope's that we could get information and maybe with luck find a farm or two course being 1500 miles away don't help !
I talk to a guy from KS who said if he got a chance he would go to zone 3 and try to locate a farm or two for us but not sure that will happen or not. So we are just making what ever connections we can and think maybe the hunting GODS will talk to us in our sleep and boom everything will work out...NA we have a little time so we are taking some time and maybe with hunters like you giving us some help we will end up in a good location. You have been great Thank You... If I was rich I'd fly out talk to some farmers and get permission but then again if I were rich hunters would be coming to ask if they could hunt on my land..not happening I'm lucky I get to do what I am doing with the travel and all...again thank you , you and many hunters have been so great. I'd let ya hunt on my land any day if I only had some... Your HuntN Friend MXZ.
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