Is Iowa "worth it"

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Brad
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Is Iowa "worth it"

Unread postby Brad » Sat Feb 22, 2014 12:06 pm

I am considering putting in for a preference point for Iowa but am not sure if its worth it. I know people say the public land is pretty good hunting there, but is it "that" much better than other places? The tag is not cheap, BUT I do not live too far from the Dubuque area, and I figure when I draw, I could hunt down there a fair amount being its not 15 hours away. I have a pop up camper that I could stay in so I figure when I figure in the savings in gas and whatnot, it may not be too bad $ wise even though the tags are a fortune. i want to start doing some road trips, but there are also some great spots in Wi too. I think the ability to hunt down there for more than a week or two would be nice and would certainly tip the odds in my favor vs only going to somewhere a ways off and having to do it in a week.


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Re: Is Iowa "worth it"

Unread postby Bucky » Sat Feb 22, 2014 12:31 pm

Fun to see new areas.... $700 is a lot for a tag though

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Re: Is Iowa "worth it"

Unread postby BassBoysLLP » Sat Feb 22, 2014 12:34 pm

Not worth it imho. I think there is a better value to be found in other states with a little more homework. Youre already living in one of the best areas in the country!

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Jackson Marsh
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Re: Is Iowa "worth it"

Unread postby Jackson Marsh » Sat Feb 22, 2014 12:35 pm

I think it is, but it depends on what you are looking for. I have relatively low standards so I had fun. I hunted Iowa twice with bow and killed two 140 inch bucks. Pressure on Iowa public seemed much lower than Wisconsin public IMO, but there was pressure. In 3 years when you draw Iowa could ne back on the upswing.

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Brad
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Re: Is Iowa "worth it"

Unread postby Brad » Sat Feb 22, 2014 12:40 pm

It takes 3 years to draw!?!? I thought it was only 2.

Jackson Marsh wrote:I think it is, but it depends on what you are looking for. I have relatively low standards so I had fun. I hunted Iowa twice with bow and killed two 140 inch bucks. Pressure on Iowa public seemed much lower than Wisconsin public IMO, but there was pressure. In 3 years when you draw Iowa could ne back on the upswing.

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Jackson Marsh
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Re: Is Iowa "worth it"

Unread postby Jackson Marsh » Sat Feb 22, 2014 12:43 pm

Depends what zone. I was in Zone 9, first time in 2009 it took 3 years, this last season took 4 years. Could always be less if less NR's apply due to reduced deer #'s
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Re: Is Iowa "worth it"

Unread postby muddy » Sat Feb 22, 2014 12:44 pm

NE Iowa will probably take 3.

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Brad
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Re: Is Iowa "worth it"

Unread postby Brad » Sat Feb 22, 2014 12:47 pm

Is that a good place to start looking? What zone is Washington County, my neighbor lives there, he might be able to help put me on some good ones too. Much public land in Washington Co?

muddy wrote:NE Iowa will probably take 3.

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Re: Is Iowa "worth it"

Unread postby BassBoysLLP » Sat Feb 22, 2014 12:48 pm

Jackson Marsh wrote:Depends what zone. I was in Zone 9, first time in 2009 it took 3 years, this last season took 4 years. Could always be less if less NR's apply due to reduced deer #'s


It'll be a while before you see a downswing...a lot of people thinking next year is there draw year. Another 2 years before you see a pressure change.

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Dewey
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Re: Is Iowa "worth it"

Unread postby Dewey » Sat Feb 22, 2014 1:41 pm

I bought my first preference point last year so I will continue till I get a tag. It's worth it to me to give it a shot at least once. Iowa is close enough that I can pre scout and hunt long weekends if I want.

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Re: Is Iowa "worth it"

Unread postby muddy » Sat Feb 22, 2014 1:46 pm

I don't know the zones, I live here, I hunt state wide! Washington Co is just south of me and I'd have to look in my Sportsmans Atlas for what's there.

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Re: Is Iowa "worth it"

Unread postby Tadmdad » Sat Feb 22, 2014 1:53 pm

imho, no disrespect to the hunt in IA, hunted there once and checked it off the bucketlist. But if you have to draw 3-4 points and pay $500 for a tag. I'm headed to the mountains in a good draw area and hunting elk, not whitetail. To many good options for hunting whitetails, where it's OTC for NR's.
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muddy
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Re: Is Iowa "worth it"

Unread postby muddy » Sat Feb 22, 2014 1:56 pm

Tadmdad wrote:imho, no disrespect to the hunt in IA, hunted there once and checked it off the bucketlist. But if you have to draw 3-4 points and pay $500 for a tag. I'm headed to the mountains in a good draw area and hunting elk, not whitetail. To many good options for hunting whitetails, where it's OTC for NR's.


I agree. I wouldn't pay the price at all, my Iowa tags are ~$35 for either sex and that's expensive IMO!

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Brad
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Re: Is Iowa "worth it"

Unread postby Brad » Sat Feb 22, 2014 1:58 pm

I paid almost 300 for a NR antelope tag 3 years in a row, I thought that was steep!

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Hodag Hunter
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Re: Is Iowa "worth it"

Unread postby Hodag Hunter » Sat Feb 22, 2014 2:00 pm

I'm going to do it just because.

Plus I know cool guy there that shoots monster bucks and has a good lead on Templeton rye. :)

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