Iowa first timer

[jeffnvegas]

making my first trek out that way in 2 wks. to hunt outside Villesca and wondered if anyone might have some last minute advice for me? like scents, calls, bleats, tactics for tree stand hunting, what camo works the best, rattling, decoys or not, typical wind directions for that part of the state, weather and what to expect and what temp to prepare for etc. i know a lot of this will be addressed by the outfit i am hunting with, but i need all the help i can get. my game plan is to knock down a doe the first day and then concentrate on a buck. i am bringing my own climber in case i run across a better place to set up on than what the outfit has already set out. what range should i be happy with in this area? i have my heart set on nothing smaller than a 150", but is this unreasonable? i have shot deer in that range in Michigan and there that is considered big in the areas that i hunted. i have seen some monsters come out of that area in SW Iowa.
hey any help will be appreciated.

 

[archery95]

Contrary to what most non-residents are led to believe....there IS NOT a 150'' buck behind every tree in Iowa.If you are holding out thinking you are going to get 150'' in a week I would guess you eat tag soup.Hunting with a good outfitter may help your chances but 2 weeks from now is Oct 24th...that would be very early pre-rut IMO.
As far as bleats,grunt calls,rattling and decoys,they can work but it would surprise me that early.I take all that stuff to my stand every time I go out.Except a decoy.
I am not a weather man but I would guess the daytime highs to be 60s and 70s.
Good luck to you.I would suggest that you don't have your heart set on 150''+ buck.You will have a much more enjoyable experience without those expectations.You may shoot a 170'' buck who knows.

 

[Jdubs]

Jeff, 95 is right, but, you can't score big unless you aim big. In 2004 I drew an archery tag n shot a 159" deer and in 2007 I drew and bagged a 147" deer. I drew again this year and my sights are larger. It's an every 3 year deal in Iowa you might as well swing for the fence. Shoot the 125"er in Michigan.

 

[Talonted]

Prepare for some heat it looks like. The deer in south central are moving a little more at night than in the morning and seem to be in the corn a lot. The only spot I've seen a good buck was on a scrape line just after shooting light. JMO, I'm sure others may have different experiences...

As far as size, every area is different and if you are using an outfitter they should be able to tell you (if not show you some trail cam pics) what to expect. I don't know the area very well unfortunately.

I think the rut may be a little later this year based on weather and the moon so you may be a tick early for calls and such.

Best of luck and hope you get a big one!!

 

[Crimson Arrows]

If there is one place you have "a chance at a giant" each time you hunt it is indeed Iowa! However, like a 360" bull elk, or 50" moose, they are not a dime a dozen. I have had great luck around the 24th with grunt calls- but not so much with rattling ,bleats, or decoys.

I can promise you that you will have some of the best scenery and potential! That time of year is full of fall colors, yellow corn fields and cool mornings. It is one of my favorite weeks of the year as things start to "turn" per se in the realm of hunting and the outdoors. Plus, the anticipation of anything in life is often better than the deed-so don't lose the excitement you have built up just because its not 'peak rut'. In fact-the "peak" can be one of the worst times if they lock down with a doe.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy Iowa as much as I have loved growing up here