Traditional Whitetail in Iowa

[coyotebb]

I have an idea for a trad only hunt in SE Iowa, zone 6. I have 780 acres of private land that has plenty of deer. I am negotiating costs with the property owner now. He has just started selling deer hunts and  has not booked any so I am trying to ding him a little on price and make it a trad only hunting camp. A good group of hunters for the pre rut and rut would be a good time. We will be allowed to place our own stand and have the run of the place. I think I could get him down to about $1200-$1000/hunter for a 5 day hunt including the use of a trailer house for lodging and a place to prepare meals.Is this of interest, application starts in May on the Iowa DNR site.

[J-dog]

Be worth a shot, keep me updated. Don't you have to draw tags?

[coyotebb]

You have to draw. I beleive a guy will get a tag at least every other year. The IADNR site has app details.

[Big Ed]

Keep us posted. I have two points now.

[Shaun]

More like every third year for non residents. 1200/ hunter seems high for an 800 acre spot. Whiterock (Garst farm) is several thousand acres with many years of big buck management, a resident guide, many existing stands, help placing your own if you like and that is what they charge for 6 day hunts.

[overbo]

See what it would cost to tie it up for several years for the whole season?I'm going into my second year in the draw and willbe looking for a place to hunt.Rather have access the hole season instead of 5 days.

[coyotebb]

I will ask if he is interested in locking it up for Oct. and Nov. I have seen some good bucks in this area. It joins a Bird Preserve that I guide on October thru March.

[bowhunterfrompast]

ttt

[wapitimike1]

Why not public land, Iowas great any how you hunt it. I have 2 points built up for years now was going to go back but times are a bit tight. Next year for sure though. I hunt a spot in zone 5 stay in a skid dog local motel for $29.00 big ones a night and have never seen another hunter on it. It's great land but bow season doesn't seem to be crowded at all.

[Wary Buck]

SE Iowa is usually a tough draw for bowhunters, usually requiring two preference points (every third year) if I'm not mistaken.  Start applying in 2009, probably first hunt in 2011.

[Yellow Dog]

Hunted Iowa for the first time in 2008. Was a three year process to get a NR tag. Hunted zone 5 with an outfitter and when I get out there in 2011? plan is to do the State land thing. There was about 1200 acres in sight of the property we were hunting and after I tagged out on a good buck I spent a little time trying to fill a doe tag on the public property just to check it out. Saw the same quality of bucks on the Public land with ZERO hunting pressure.

[wapitimike1]

I'm telling ya, it's the same in Illinois. Pick out a forest/land check out the arials of it. If it looks good look for the closest town. I contact the chamber of commerce and ask about motels. It's much cheaper to go local motel then chain. The deer signs every place just pick a hot spot and roll with it.