Iowa hunting?

[156p&y]

Any of you guys ever drawn a tag and gone to Iowa to hunt? I'm thinking about putting in for a tag next year as long as work doesn't break wide open in 2014. I would probably just go hunt public land. I'm just looking for an adventure in the land of the giants.

I also thought about trying to get a lease in Illinois.

You guys got any advice?

 

[Elmer]

I am planning on putting in for points for Iowa. As for leases.... Stay in southern Illinois and it is a lot more manageable.

 

[156p&y]

That's what I was thinking about doing, good luck

 

[infoman jr.]

I was just talking to a coworker this evening about planning an Iowa hunt in 2015. I'm going to try to get a preference point next year (buddy has 2 already), and we'll put in as a party in 2015. Good luck!

 

[156p&y]

You guys will have to keep me posted. I've looked online at their public land and they have a ton spread out, looks like a good program.

 

[deerhunter10]

putting in for it this coming year also. planning on getting a lease in Kansas. already for land to hunt in both just got to get drawn for the iowa one. ive heard its better to put in as a group that way if one gets drawn everyone will.

 

[Mr.Bro]

I too am intereseted in Iowa.I'm thinking a late season hunt maybe.I'v got the points .Just need a couple guys to hook up with.Low budget also.

 

[Roost 1]

Keep in mind it takes 2-3preference points depending on weapon.....
I have 2... Hearing the NR deer tag has went up to
$800 but I have not confirmed this...

 

[Winchester]

I would love to start the process in trying to draw a tag. I know a couple places that actually charge just a trespass fee to hunt some private farms.

 

[Tkirk54]

So I'm curious what are these points you guys are talking about . I had no Idea you can draw for an Iowa tag and hunt public land there.

 

[Winchester]

Basically same system as here, you put in for a draw tag, if not selected you earn a priority point towards the next seasons draw. Once you get drawn the points start over the next yr.

 

[Tkirk54]

Oh ok thanks. I have heard my father talking about drawing tags here but I have never done it. Im starting to think the way my year is going I will be putting in for stuff next year. I have always be nervous about going on hunts like that or hunting WMA and public land because there is a lot of people. I have only ever hunted private land .

 

[buttercupndaisy]

I had a guy I work with a couple of years back get a lease together in Illinois. I don't know where it was but they killed some monsters. If I'm not mistaken I think it was like 800-1000 per person. I personally think that's pretty reasonable, considering he could go anytime during bow season. I do know they didn't have gun rights but they had all the bow rights. If my thinking was right I believe he did this thru a secondary party.

 

[Winchester]

I had a guy I work with a couple of years back get a lease together in Illinois. I don't know where it was but they killed some monsters. If I'm not mistaken I think it was like 800-1000 per person. I personally think that's pretty reasonable, considering he could go anytime during bow season. I do know they didn't have gun rights but they had all the bow rights. If my thinking was right I believe he did this thru a secondary party.

Very likely as many of the leases in ILL are split with one group leasing the Archery rights, and another leasing the gun rights. Its unbelievable what some people will pay to gun hunt a total of 7 days in a season.

 

[Poleaxe]

We have land in Poweshiek County and we draw a shotgun tag every other year. The years that we don't draw one we buy a doe tag and go up and party hunt. To draw a archery tag it takes a year longer. 12 Years ago I would say go ahead and apply for the buck tag without any points but now there's no chance of it. So rather than being out $550 go ahead and spend the $50 and buy your preference point in March. Deadline is April 31st I believe. I have hunted up there since 2000 until 2yrs ago because I want to make 1 trip with my bow during the rut before I go back for shotgun season. Jet me a pm if you have anymore questions or tips on where to go. Iowa truly has some giants but there's no way I could ever live up there and have to endure such cold temps and high winds. Better make sure your clothing is top notch for that kind of hunting. What you have for here will most likely freeze you to death up there.

 

[WMAn]

156,

Based on the pics you have shared here, I think that any day you spend travelling out of state is a wasted day because you could have been hunting here.

That said, I would look at http://www.magba.com/ . They are a self-guided hunt club that leases land in Missouri, Iowa, and Kansas. You can click see updates at the top right to read their blog. It's updated daily, and I have been reading it since 2007. Reading the blog is my only experience with them, but they seem to be a solid operation.

Look at Mississippi, I spent three years there, and I'm convinced that the best public-land archery hunting is right there for the taking with a OTC tag. How long you want to hunt determines the cost. You can start at $155 and go up to $350.

 

[AT Hiker]

That said, I would look at http://www.magba.com/ . They are a self-guided hunt club that leases land in Missouri, Iowa, and Kansas. You can click see updates at the top right to read their blog. It's updated daily, and I have been reading it since 2007. Reading the blog is my only experience with them, but they seem to be a solid operation.

.

I have never heard of this, seems almost to good to be true. Three states and all that game for that cost? The yearly fee would pay for itself in a Spring turkey season.

 

[tellico4x4]

Have hunted Iowa before, and 5 of us have another hunt booked for 2014. Usually takes 3 points to draw archery tag, but gun is 1 or 2 depending on Zone.

 

[McNasty]

A lot of times when you get outside the South, you'll end up hunting public land without ever seeing another hunter. This is especially true if you do your homework and hunt during the right season. The biggest deer I have mounted for any client came from public land.
If you're looking for a lease in any state, try to get close to river bottoms. A good thing to do is to call outfitters (this includes both deer outfitters and waterfowl outfitters) and see if they have any land that they would sublease to you. Check the QDMA website during late winter and early spring as well. The guy I share a lease with in KS actually attends church every time we go out there. He sweet talks the locals and picks up free land to hunt on all the time. I just can't bring myself to do that, but apparently, it works.

 

[McNasty]

My cousin has been leasing land in Illinois and Iowa for 5-6 years now. He has actually put his home here up for sale because he is moving to Iowa permanently just for the hunting.

 

[Tennessee Todd]

Yes, have hunted Iowa 4 out of the past 5 years. It will take you 3 years to get a bow tag, but you can get a shotgun tag or late muzzleloader tag about every other year. Even on the years you don't draw, it's legal to party hunt at certain times in Iowa.

I've seen some giants in Iowa, but it's no different than any other state in the Midwest. Big deer and great country, but it doesn't make 'em easy to kill. I've never hunted public land so I can't give you any feedback there.

 

[Poleaxe]

There's ALOT of public land you won't find on Iowa DNR. Land most non residents even know exist. Not small tracks either. I'll give our farm a days rest and hunt there and have seen Giants there and killed good ones.

One is 7000 and 4000 being all timber
Another is 3700 and 2000 is all timber.
Neither hunted at all.

 

[156p&y]

156,

Based on the pics you have shared here, I think that any day you spend travelling out of state is a wasted day because you could have been hunting here.

I would like to enjoy just the adventure aspect of it. Plus this season and some of last season the only thing I get when I shoot a mature deer is grief. It's driving me freaking nuts. I'll probably end up in Illinois so I can jump in the truck and get the heck out of dodge when the weekend hits; that sounds like heaven to me. I guess not racing anymore, I'm actually missing the travel aspect which I thought I hated the most.

Thanks guys there is some great info on here. I'm gonna save this thread for later for sure.