Iowa archery tag 2025

[Rackseeker]

Is anyone expecting to get drawn for Iowa archery? Trying to decide if I want to buy another point or try and get drawn.

 

[tn gunman]

Not me I only have 4 points, likely need 5 points going into draw.

 

[deerhunter10]

Only have 2 points.

 

[Bushape]

For anybody responding in this thread, are you planning to go with an outfitter or try your hand at public??

 

[chris1976]

This is just my opinion based on living and hunting there for a couple years. Save yourself a ton of money and hit the public land. Much of it if not most is just as good as private. Take a trip or two up before your hunt and scout out multiple pieces. And whatever you do don't overlook the small 100-200 acre pieces. The public ground in Iowa is phenomenal.

 

[EastTNHunter]

The public ground in Iowa was phenomenal.

FIFY after this post.

I kid

Kinda

 

[chris1976]

FIFY after this post.

I kid

Kinda

The thing about Iowa is no matter how good it is it is limited to a handful of tags every year so it doesn't get hammered by foreigners and the resident population is low. It's a perfect place.

 

[tree_ghost]

I currently have 3 points. I'm going to purchase another point this year to make 4. I like the idea of killing one on public out there but with all the time tied up in getting the tag I have considered going with an outfitter but I can't stand the idea of having a "guide" for a whitetail hunt...I also thought about mailing out some letters next year to private landowners to try and lease their farm the season I get drawn. It may be a long shot but who knows? I'm willing to bet they aren't getting hammered with guys trying to gain hunting access with the limited amount of tags available and given its remote location in the country.

 

[chris1976]

I currently have 3 points. I'm going to purchase another point this year to make 4. I like the idea of killing one on public out there but with all the time tied up in getting the tag I have considered going with an outfitter but I can't stand the idea of having a "guide" for a whitetail hunt...I also thought about mailing out some letters next year to private landowners to try and lease their farm the season I get drawn. It may be a long shot but who knows? I'm willing to bet they aren't getting hammered with guys trying to gain hunting access with the limited amount of tags available and given its remote location in the country.

I did the same thing when I was up there. I sent out handwritten letters introducing myself and explaining my intentions. I probably sent out 40-50 letters. Within a month I had more land than I could ever hunt. Most of the farmers were very appreciative because it was the first time they had ever been contacted. This was 12-13 years ago so things may have changed some. DONT DISCOUNT PUBLIC. There are small parcels all over southern Iowa that see very little pressure.

 

[Antler Daddy]

I guess I better start putting in as well. :)

 

[Bushape]

I did the same thing when I was up there. I sent out handwritten letters introducing myself and explaining my intentions. I probably sent out 40-50 letters. Within a month I had more land than I could ever hunt. Most of the farmers were very appreciative because it was the first time they had ever been contacted. This was 12-13 years ago so things may have changed some. DONT DISCOUNT PUBLIC. There are small parcels all over southern Iowa that see very little pressure.

If you don't mind me asking, by the time you have enough points to be drawn, and then purchase your hunting license, how much will you have invested in your hunt before ever leaving the house??

 

[PickettSFHunter]

I have the points but not sure I have the time or ability to go.

 

[chris1976]

If you don't mind me asking, by the time you have enough points to be drawn, and then purchase your hunting license, how much will you have invested in your hunt before ever leaving the house??

I'm not sure. I wanted to hunt there and didn't want to wait to draw every few years so I found a job and moved up there for a couple years. Every deer hunter should experience Iowa at least once.

 

[Bushape]

I'm not sure. I wanted to hunt there and didn't want to wait to draw every few years so I found a job and moved up there for a couple years. Every deer hunter should experience Iowa at least once.

Would love to. I'm afraid I'd shoot the first 135" deer that a saw.

 

[yellalinehunter]

The thing about Iowa is no matter how good it is it is limited to a handful of tags every year so it doesn't get hammered by foreigners and the resident population is low. It's a perfect place.

But has the lowest acres for public access in the U.S. or maybe close to the bottom.

 

[yellalinehunter]

Would love to. I'm afraid I'd shoot the first 135" deer that a saw.

You think that till you you know that his dad could walk out at any minute.

 

[yellalinehunter]

I'm not sure. I wanted to hunt there and didn't want to wait to draw every few years so I found a job and moved up there for a couple years. Every deer hunter should experience Iowa at least once.

I did the same thing. Wish I coulda stayed a few years longer.

 

[WTNBowHunter]

going to be buying my second point this may. took me 5 points to draw in 2023 for zone 6. could draw a mzl tag with two or fewer points but the experience with a bow is what i'm ready to get back and do!

 

[WTNBowHunter]

For anybody responding in this thread, are you planning to go with an outfitter or try your hand at public??

i went with an outfitter and will go back with the same guy unless he quits guiding for some reason which i dont anticipate him doing. i see both sides of the coin, public V outfitter/private, just dont have the time to go up and scout areas like i want to for public land.

 

[Mr.Bro]

Some of you guys need to check on outfitters that have "do it yourself hunts" Basically give you a place to stay and a place to hunt. Usually a late season hunt. Bring your own food and transportation. Save nearly half if their fully guided hunts.
Just an idea!

 

[TN G.O.A.T Hunter]

I have the points but not sure I have the time or ability to go.

next yr we will journey to the Midwest

 

[Turkeychaser]

If you don't mind me asking, by the time you have enough points to be drawn, and then purchase your hunting license, how much will you have invested in your hunt before ever leaving the house??

Close to 1k if you have 5 preference points

 

[JN]

I met a guy who was looking to buy our camper and he was showing me pictures of the deer that he had killed in Iowa. I started putting in for preference points after that and I will have 4 this year and plan on applying next year.

What that guy did though was he ended up buying a farm so he wouldn't have to go through the application process and he can purchase a nonresident license and can only hunt his land each year. Based on his pictures I would say it has been worth it.

 

[killingtime 41]

Sounds fantastic but to wait 5 years what's the reason for that. So many people trying to hunt there that they have to do it like that. Or some other reason. ?

 

[yellalinehunter]

Sounds fantastic but to wait 5 years what's the reason for that. So many people trying to hunt there that they have to do it like that. Or some other reason. ?

To be able to hunt the rut in one of the top states for deer. You can use less points for different times and do party hunts as well to combine points

 

[WTNBowHunter]

To be able to hunt the rut in one of the top states for deer. You can use less points for different times and do party hunts as well to combine points

if im not mistaken, when you combine points, your only as good as the lowest point holder in your party as a nr.

 

[yellalinehunter]

if im not mistaken, when you combine points, your only as good as the lowest point holder in your party as a nr.

Maybe so. I only hunted there when I was a resident

 

[tree_ghost]

if im not mistaken, when you combine points, your only as good as the lowest point holder in your party as a nr.

This is correct

 

[CrossVolle]

Should draw next year.

 

[Rackseeker]

I have decided to just buy a point this year. Then go all in next year for Iowa. This year planning to go somewhere for a week of archery around end of October- 1st week of November, Missouri or Ohio. Then a week with a gun, Missouri or Kentucky.