Is Iowa worth it for NR

[bigbucks1234]

Life is way to short not to experience Iowa at least once.
Hoping to be draw a tag this coming fall myself

[Thesouthpaw]

I'll let you know in eleven months. I've got four points and plan to draw this fall.

[Swedishbowhunter]

I have put in a weekend scouting IA the each year for the last 2 years but I havent found anything that screams "hunt me" yet. Definitely looks good, but I have sure seen a lot of signs of hunting pressure. This was in the NE part of Iowa. I am hoping to find better areas before I draw in a year or two.

[Uncle Lou]

Thanks guys for all the replies. I will put in. I am not a tight wad, but don't like to waste, I am not a big buck junkie (yet every year I hope it is my year in MI, after 30 it hasn't been yet), I am not into scouting as much as most on here. But who doesn't want to go somewhere with a good chance.

I just fear I would have to rush it and not be able to spend the right amount of time. I know buying a tag in Iowa, or anyplace is not a guarantee of a big buck, but I also like to travel and see new things.

So thanks again, I think I will start the process.

And Lance, I don't think you are even close to a jerk. Your a big buck driven guy and I appreciate that.

[RiverBottoms]

Thanks for the insights guys. I'm sitting on 4 pts myself, and need to start thinking about when to put in and how to go about making a hunt happen

[wdog]

Some people over think it. Scouting is great and all, but honestly just take 2 weeks off during the rut and head down blind and you will do just fine.

[Aaron1987]

Thanks guys for all the replies. I will put in. I am not a tight wad, but don't like to waste, I am not a big buck junkie (yet every year I hope it is my year in MI, after 30 it hasn't been yet), I am not into scouting as much as most on here. But who doesn't want to go somewhere with a good chance.

I just fear I would have to rush it and not be able to spend the right amount of time. I know buying a tag in Iowa, or anyplace is not a guarantee of a big buck, but I also like to travel and see new things.

So thanks again, I think I will start the process.

And Lance, I don't think you are even close to a jerk. Your a big buck driven guy and I appreciate that.

I think that’s a great attitude to have. We live in Iowa and travel all over the place hunting whitetails.

[Thesouthpaw]

Thanks guys for all the replies. I will put in. I am not a tight wad, but don't like to waste, I am not a big buck junkie (yet every year I hope it is my year in MI, after 30 it hasn't been yet), I am not into scouting as much as most on here. But who doesn't want to go somewhere with a good chance.

I just fear I would have to rush it and not be able to spend the right amount of time. I know buying a tag in Iowa, or anyplace is not a guarantee of a big buck, but I also like to travel and see new things.

So thanks again, I think I will start the process.

And Lance, I don't think you are even close to a jerk. Your a big buck driven guy and I appreciate that.

I think that’s a great attitude to have. We live in Iowa and travel all over the place hunting whitetails.

Aaron, I really don’t want to sound like I’m prying for info, but I should be able to draw a tag for a southern zone this coming fall. What can I expect the hunting pressure to be like in those southern zones during the first two weeks of November, compared to other Midwestern states like Indiana or Ohio?
I am a teacher in WV, and I always try to take my trips around the week of Veterans Day, mainly so I don’t have to take as many days off.

[Aaron1987]

Thanks guys for all the replies. I will put in. I am not a tight wad, but don't like to waste, I am not a big buck junkie (yet every year I hope it is my year in MI, after 30 it hasn't been yet), I am not into scouting as much as most on here. But who doesn't want to go somewhere with a good chance.

I just fear I would have to rush it and not be able to spend the right amount of time. I know buying a tag in Iowa, or anyplace is not a guarantee of a big buck, but I also like to travel and see new things.

So thanks again, I think I will start the process.

And Lance, I don't think you are even close to a jerk. Your a big buck driven guy and I appreciate that.

I think that’s a great attitude to have. We live in Iowa and travel all over the place hunting whitetails.

Aaron, I really don’t want to sound like I’m prying for info, but I should be able to draw a tag for a southern zone this coming fall. What can I expect the hunting pressure to be like in those southern zones during the first two weeks of November, compared to other Midwestern states like Indiana or Ohio?
I am a teacher in WV, and I always try to take my trips around the week of Veterans Day, mainly so I don’t have to take as many days off.

In my opinion it’ll be similar to the states you mention. The most crowded time during archery season is the first 10 days of November. We usually travel to hunt other states during that time (like OH and IN) because of it.

During October and mid-late November there is very little archery pressure on IA public land.

[KyleWI]

Aaron +1. We had the woods to ourselves the last 2 weekends in October when we drew. With that being said we filled our tags on the 4th and 7th of November

[bigbuckhunter88]

I agree with others. Very little pressure outside of the first 10 to 14 of November. Sometimes that November pressure helps do the stacking for you tho.

[Swedishbowhunter]

It will be interesting to see what happens after this years point draw with all the added pressure everywhere else this last fall I have to wonder if there will be a dramatic increase in people applying for an Iowa tag.

[Aaron1987]

Over the years we’ve seen more bucks during early November than any other time in Iowa. However, we get more opportunities at mature bucks outside that time.

[Uncle Lou]

I am glad I finally asked. I am more of a meat hound when I spend the money on an out of state hunt, been out west a few times. My desire to fill a tag is strong and having said that I usually like to hit a gun season when going somewhere new, as I believe it gives a slightly better opportunity, at least distance wise.

So my next question is, is a deer tag in Iowa an any season tag? Meaning can I go bow, and if I don't tag go back during a gun season? If so that might take a little pressure off the bow hunt.

I appreciate all the replies, opinions, and information.

[thwack16]

Iowa is weapon specific. Gun draws can be drawn with no points. Here are this years draw statistics.

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