iowa zone 5

[have2hunt]

My son and i have 2 preference points right now, we scouted out a few spots this spring and are planning on heading back next March to do some more scouting.
We found a dead 12 point that scored 165 on one of the pieces of Stephens state forest, wondering if anybody had any pointers on some good areas in zone 5? What kind of hunting pressure to expect the first 2 weeks of Nov.?
Thanks alot Brad

[ttsbuck]

Brad I hunted private land in zone 5 last year. The farmer I stayed with came home one night after driving through a part of the Stephens state forest during prime pm hunting hours. It was Friday November 11, I asked him how many vehicles he saw, he saw 2 vehicles in the 7 or 8 miles he covered. I was surprised.

[Spysar]

I'm in the same boat. Two points right now, and heading to zone 5 when I draw. I haven't hunted Stevens, but it was on my list. Never got to it, too much ground to cover. I hunted zone 5 twice, once in 05, and once in 2010. I don't think you can count on a bow tag with only two points though...

[Stanley]

I hunt some in zone 5. There are some great public areas in that zone. Rathbun reservoir, Red Rock reservoir, Stephens forest (Thousand Acres Unit) looks interesting to me. Two of my friends drew last year (archery) with 2 points, zone 5.

[have2hunt]

Thanks guys,
Iowa looks awesome! i'm also from Michigan

[mibowhunter]

Iowa looks awesome! i'm also from Michigan

If this is your first time going out of state, do NOT shoot the first "good" buck you see.... :) There will be more... haha