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Hunting Iowa

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dkoy85

New Member
Hey guys,

My buddy and I are from Pennsylvania and we'll be on our 3rd year trying to draw in the great state of Iowa. We're hoping to draw in either zones 4 or 5 and was hoping we could get some assistance- I know you Iowan's don't have to worry about zones so just for reference zones 4 and 5 make up just about all the south central counties.

We are looking for the mature bucks Iowa is famous for in the 4.5+ year range. We were thinking of buying plat maps and contacting landowners by phone to save us a trip as money is tight- and we're trying to do it before we apply so we know which zone to apply in. Does anybody have any other recommendations or contacts I can get a hold of? I know this is asking a lot- especially as I am a NR but we are very respectful and courteous and will abide by all the requests and rules the landowner has. I am definitely up to talking to anybody over the phone so you can get a good feel for me. PM me and I'll give you my #.

We will also be hunting public land so any advice on public ground will help out tremendously. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!

Thank you,
Sam
 
My 2 cents that's off subject - I'd be waiting another year for the EHD recovery that hopefully will take place. I have mediocre hopes on the average farm for the 2014 season. Just a side note. good luck
 
I have to agree with Sligh.. we took a bigger hit than the DNR realizes. I feel like if you drew this year, you would be very dissapointed. My biggest bucks have vanished, and shed hunting is even worse in SW Iowa on my farms
 
Thanks for the replys. I didnt realize it was hit that hard. I spoke with somebody who said his farm wasnt hit really at all. Anybody know which parts were hit hard?
 
Nothing beats asking in person. Iowa is unique as a NR you may get access because the landowner knows it's rare that you get a tag, and won't be out on the property constantly.

Might wait another year though, as Skip said
 
dkoy85 said:
Thanks for the replys. I didnt realize it was hit that hard. I spoke with somebody who said his farm wasnt hit really at all. Anybody know which parts were hit hard?
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I think it all depends on where you are located too, also situations can be different from farm to farm. Like many have said, we have been hit hard by ehd and deer numbers are down. I have not had a problem with low numbers, i hunt several areas in Warren and Clarke county and have seen great numbers and plenty of mature bucks. I think it all depends on what farm you are on.
 
Liv4Rut said:
I personally would not hesitate to come out. It could be worse if you wait a year or two.
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As some have posted, you might have an easier time in the draw with people holding off for only a preference point. If you are traveling to a state you have never set foot in and hope for a 4.5 or better, pretty lofty goals no matter the year. Wish you luck.

Hardwood11 said:
Nothing beats asking in person.
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In person has way better odds over "cold calling" on the phone, IMO.
 
JNRBRONC said:
As some have posted, you might have an easier time in the draw with people holding off for only a preference point. If you are traveling to a state you have never set foot in and hope for a 4.5 or better, pretty lofty goals no matter the year. Wish you luck.


In person has way better odds over "cold calling" on the phone, IMO.
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Good points here regarding the draw and a mature buck. Absolutely doable tho.

Agreed regarding in person. People like to meet someone in person before they agree to anything, but I suppose it might be possible to get some leads over the phone and then travel to seal the deal. You would probably want to scout the area well before season too anyway, so you know where to go. Also, I'm sure you've thought about it already, but be prepared to lease for private. Not everyone will require payment, but it seems to be catching on a little around here.
 
Iowa is famous for good bucks but they aren't behind every tree. The zones u picked are the right ones for a chance at one but there's people who hunt a lifetime here and never see one.
 
I'd be waiting another year for the EHD recovery that hopefully will take place
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C'mon out, start building relationships now, because the hard hit EHD areas are 3-5 years from good hunting again if we reduce seasons and tags.
 
I hunt South Central Iowa and numbers are very land specific for me- I have one property that is extremely down from years past and I have one property that have deer everywhere. I do agree though- it still took a major hit from EHD
 
the EHD was hit and miss the areas I hunt did not get hit at all, but as far as finding private ground if you do not know anyone in the area it is going to be tuff, it is hard enough for residents to find good private ground. And usually if they will let you hunt they will let anybody and everybody, I am lucky enough to not have to deal with it since I have family that has ground and I am the only one that hunts it, even Iowa residents dish out big $$ to hunt on private ground, with that being said I would try to find a public area with little pressure which is a task in its self but it can be done if you are willing to put in the time and walk
 
EHD hasn't hit my area that bad, but the number of mature bucks are a mere 30% of what they were just a few years ago. Maybe less! You can't continue to pound does for 5 or 6 years without it showing in every aspect of deer hunting.
 
Droptines said:
EHD hasn't hit my area that bad, but the number of mature bucks are a mere 30% of what they were just a few years ago. Maybe less! You can't continue to pound does for 5 or 6 years without it showing in every aspect of deer hunting.
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The above quote is very reflective of my area also.
 
I would apply in the not so desirable zones. There are still places where the big buck boom hasn't hit yet and finding private ground to hunt wouldn't be as difficult. The hunt-able farms in these areas would pry be smaller pieces but that would also make them easier to hunt with little time to scout. Instead of hunting big timber in southern iowa try the western part of the state and hunt natural funnels in creeks and draws during the rut. Odds are you might have less of a chance shooting a booner there than in the southern iowa but there are still some dandy bucks running around and during the rut who knows what might happen. Ehd hit our area pretty bad but there are still good bucks around. I think people just got used to the good ole days of Iowa and now it just seems like the hunting is not that great but there are still plenty of bucks to be had. If you never hunted iowa during the good ole days I don't think you should put to much thought into how iowa used to be. Come and hunt, you will enjoy it. You could always get the draw this year and start building points again next year and by the time you get another draw deer numbers should hopefully be better plus you would have experience hunting iowa already that could help you down the road. Good luck!
 
Herd is definitely down. Read Bill Winke's article about the decline in the Iowa deer herd.

Private land is definitely your best bet, good luck finding a 4 1\2 year old buck on public land.

I agree you might as well come out because recovery is going to take a few years not 1 or 2. Of course with the price of those NR tags it's your call.
 
dkoy85 said:
We are looking for the mature bucks Iowa is famous for in the 4.5+ year range.
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Sorry to burst your bubble, but I think you have watched to much of Crush and the Drury Brothers, and Whitetail Freaks. On the average ground here there are not 4.5 + running around all over. Most residents who have put in a lot of time haven't reached a buck like that yet. Finding exclusive rights on a property will likely not happen and what you do get permission a lot of the time might as well be public. It's a lot of who you know. I'm sure you'll be able to find a place to hunt, but don't be disappointed when that bruiser is never seen. Realistically you could probably have good odds at a 120's/130's if you put in some time in the stand.
 
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