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How many guys hunt on public land???

gersdorf

gersdorf

Life Member
I was wondering who all deer hunts on public land and what success rate you had? I hunt private land but I know of a lot of public land that looks pretty good but I don't know if people have a lot of success getting a nice deer on it. I would like to hear what you guys/gals think about the public hunting areas in Iowa.
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I hunt mostly private land, but I do have one public spot that I like to try a couple times a year. I've shot does off this spot, but never any bucks. I've seen a few nice deer, but they are real hard to hunt once season gets going, due to the hunting pressure.
 
In my area the public ground gets hit very hard by people but not necessarily all deer hunters. The main problem in my area (and this is also a problem at many area lakes I have been told by area fisherman), is the Asian population. In my area, this segment of the population hits the public areas very hard and very often. It is not the most reassuring feeling to be 18 ft. in a tree and hear the small calibur rounds going through the trees from the "squirrel" hunters. I saw many deer running hard during the archery season in a manner similar to shotgun seasons. It was the sole reason that my kids were never asked to accompany me on any of my hunts this past fall. Although I shot a decent buck this past fall, I feel it was mostly blind ass luck or the grace of God (whichever you prefer). There were times I was VERY FAR from my truck and still had numerous encounters with these hunters.

I am not trying to state anything discriminatory by these comments but purely the facts as I saw them this past fall.

I really do not understand why the ALL firearms seasons cannot all be shut down as of the end of early ML season and re-opened with the shotgun seasons. Sure would make the public ground in this state a lot safer.
 
I really don't want to say too much, but I had one of these people cost me a great buck this year. I was a little upset and let him know it. I've never seen a man run so fast!
 
I do on occation but don't make a habit of it based on the problems noted above.

One thing I do think should be made into a law, if people plan on using the public hunting areas it should be required that they possess a hunting license and habitat stamp. If they are going to use these areas...they should suport the DNR for providing them for public use. JMO
 
I have spent a lot of time on public through the years. It's got it's own set of challenges, seems the older I get the less tolerant I am. I can live with others who use public and show respect to fellow hunters, but I've ran into my fair share that show little respect. Thinking about it now, I suppose I've slowly started hunting more private ground over the last few years. There is something to be said for taking game off of public though. One of my best friends considers that his "way". He has taken some nice deer off of fairly pressured public. It's there if you want to chance the disruptions and do it on everyone elses terms. Hats off to those that are good at it.
 
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One thing I do think should be made into a law, if people plan on using the public hunting areas it should be required that they possess a hunting license and habitat stamp. If they are going to use these areas...they should suport the DNR for providing them for public use. JMO

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Totally agree with this Shredder!

I do hunt some public land and have seen a fair number of deer. Saw a good 8 point this year 4 different times, unfortunately once he was being chased by a dog and another time another hunter walking through the woods ran him off.
The areas around the parking lots look like a garbage dump, trash, shells, beer cans, everywhere. Found 5 rotting raccoons in a lot one time. People/weekend warriors come out and just start blasting their guns without regard to people who are hunting or for safety. Had a pretty heated argument with a father and son late in the season this year.
We don't have a lot of public land and what we do have I don't feel people respect or take care of very well.
 
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We don't have a lot of public land and what we do have I don't feel people respect or take care of very well.

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That's a FACT!
 
No better challenge in Iowa than hunting public land.
Better educated game.
You never know when you will have a visitor.
You never know if your stand will be there from one time to the next.
You get to pick up trash from other outdoors enthusiasts.
You never know when gunfire will erupt.
No better opportunity to strengthen your resolve, develop numerous skills and practice loving thy neighbor
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I hunt public land in Northeast Iowa, the land is overrun with Hmong,s in September through November, not being mean, but it,s true. Also do not leave your climbing stand overnight, mine was stolen overnight. I know some people are rolling their eyes over leaving it overnight, but I,ve found climbers on public land and have not stolen them, no reason anyone else should either. Oh well, live and learn.
 
I hunt both private and public land. This year I was fortunate to take a buck off of each. I also saw numerous other deer with decent size but I did have one hunt ruined by a man and his dog, nothing I could do about it but I did let him know that I was hunting there and to keep me in mind next time he was out for a walk.

I also have hit some of the public land for turkeys with good success, 2 toms in 2 years one I killed the other I called in for a buddy so not to shabby. However, I would advise hunting the weekdays and as far away from the parking areas as possible.

Kratz
 
The deer you see in my avatar was shot on public land, scored 158
 
Hunt public fround all year long!! gotta love it, the key is. go where noone else will. drug my eightpoint a mile and a half out this year. We also have been chasing a large 10 around their for a few years and saw many a deer over 150. shot a few does, a few bucks of off public land in the last 4 years. the one thing we learned is the more time to spend out there now the better youll do!!
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good luck!
 
I hunt soley on public ground. I fill my deer and turkey tags most of the time. You do get some interesting people wandering in the woods every once in a while. I've almost been shot by a couple of guys randomly shooting into the woods before.
 
wow I'm suprised?
hmong or whatever there? that is scary period.I already caught a guy with an ar15 on my land once while I was unarmed.Now the vc are moving into iowa?
now I really concerned...
 
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