They continue to impress me

[Brian662]

Yes I can draw a firearms tag almost every year,,but it’s a 1-2 yr wait for archery . I’ll be putting in a point this year (2025) for a bow tag .

So what was the big deal about them clamping down on the NR cross tagging with residents for party hunting? Do some areas take longer to draw a firearm tag than your area?


Side note, can you apply for an archery permit and a gun permit in the same year? Do permit points count differently for each weapon? Would applying for an archery tag restrict you from being able to gun hunt the same year?

 

[bwoods11]

So what was the big deal about them clamping down on the NR cross tagging with residents for party hunting? Do some areas take longer to draw a firearm tag than your area?


Side note, can you apply for an archery permit and a gun permit in the same year? Do permit points count differently for each weapon? Would applying for an archery tag restrict you from being able to gun hunt the same year?

You can only apply for gun or archery not both. Well the main “beef” was that non residents could hunt together as a family or with friends or even a local person... They can’t do that anymore.

Let’s say you have 2 buck tags, 1 doe tag. You could all hunt together.

It’s an expensive tag , and very restrictive already. If you own the land and pay taxes on it, there should be more hunting opportunities than what currently exists on land that you “own”!

 

[Brian662]

You can only apply for gun or archery not both. Well the main “beef” was that non residents could hunt together as a family or with friends or even a local person... They can’t do that anymore.

Let’s say you have 2 buck tags, 1 doe tag. You could all hunt together.

It’s an expensive tag , and very restrictive already. If you own the land and pay taxes on it, there should be more hunting opportunities than what currently exists on land that you “own”!

So if you hope to draw an archery tag next year, you must have some preference points for archery? Will you also be able to put in for a gun season tag in case you don't get drawn for archery?

I understand the frustration completely and sympathize with NR landowners who purchased under a different set of circumstances.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I think the premise of possibly having more hunters than you have tags kind of sucks but can understand why people would be upset.

I haven't looked into it much but from one podcast it came across as a measure to retain/preserve hunting quality/opportunities for residents (which is a premise i'm generally in favor of)? If that is the case, maybe dont let residents shoot 3 bucks as well?

 

[bwoods11]

I think the premise of possibly having more hunters than you have tags kind of sucks but can understand why people would be upset.

I haven't looked into it much but from one podcast it came across as a measure to retain/preserve hunting quality/opportunities for residents (which is a premise i'm generally in favor of)? If that is the case, maybe dont let residents shoot 3 bucks as well?

I think that rule is absolutely ridiculous! Iowa would be so much better yet, if they had a one buck state law .

Maybe 2 max, if you are a resident landowner!

 

[bwoods11]

So if you hope to draw an archery tag next year, you must have some preference points for archery? Will you also be able to put in for a gun season tag in case you don't get drawn for archery?

I understand the frustration completely and sympathize with NR landowners who purchased under a different set of circumstances.

No it’s one or the other. Cannot apply for both , must choose each year !

I won’t draw an archery tag , it’s a waiting game . Either 26 or 27.

 

[gjs4]

Hunted zone 5 on private and public this year....its and great state...but honestly not as good as I would've hoped.

 

[bwoods11]

Hunted zone 5 on private and public this year....its and great state...but honestly not as good as I would've hoped.

Can you expand on your experience, deer sightings, etc…?

 

[Turkish]

The podcasts I’ve listened to lately keep throwing out 5-6 years to draw IA as a non-res.

 

[Bill]

I can lease a farm in Iowa from a non hunting friend. Or at least I could have, they haven't asked in a while. Always say no thanks, to complicated.

 

[gjs4]

Can you expand on your experience, deer sightings, etc…?

Sure thing.

I hunted areas from Albia to Ottumwa. The biggest farm was shy of 1k ac but it had 600 ac of standing corn and had 10 days of rain preceding (was there the second and third week of Nov). Met a guy online who basically subleased his 25k$, 2kac, lease to three bow hunters and 2 gun guys. Only two of us plus him bowhunting this yr and supposedly no one on the property other than for feed locations, cams or ag. I had 5 cells up and shared them with the others there, as they did theirs. Had multiple mature deer but only three Id be elated to shoot (as my bar is high and paying for hunting is NOT my thing- nor have i ever done anything outfitted). I could use his stands and house but was of my own free will. The three of us were there together for the majority of my trip so we coordinated farms/locations. We did not receive info on EHD nor heard about it there.

The guy running the show didnt see a shooter untll my last night there. The other guy saw a bunch of younger bucks and shot a 162" half way through my stay- this was the only shooter he had seen. Morning one I saw the best buck of the trip and any of the group to this day. 11pt 165-70 that came through fast. While the shot opp wasnt great, if i was ready it likely wouldve happened (but after a 15hr ride, 2hrs sleep and this being 1030am ...). Morning 3 had a mega 8 (160s) cut through the center of a wide open field in the most no-follow-the-script deer event I have seen in years. Not a great opp there either but also wasnt ready as i was focused the opposite way where the deer should've been. Those two were it for me in almost two weeks. I did see and pass a few bucks in the 3yo 120-130s range...but theyre deer i wouldn't be interested in hunting anywhere. I did see a couple of chases in the road driving, as well as roadkills, in the 100-150" range....but had that same span and quantity on the interstate from NY to there as well. I still have 5 cells going out there. Interestingly- no one has ever got a pic of that 8, and the 11 was super photogenic prior to season with only a few pics since.

Met a dude hunting public there that claimed he was on, and had a missed, a Booner. Seemed like a smart guy, and was a local, so Ill buy it. Public had people. Nothing like the other states I have hunted. Saw some great sign but only a few younger fellas....I did not put much effort in to this foray.

Can elaborate on anything you all want. Wasnt blown away...had 6 points (7? yrs), $1k+ in the tag, $4k for the access...... Have hunted public and unpaid private all over...this was good, but not for the overall investment of time and money IMO.

 

[bwoods11]

Gjs4– it’s not for everybody! The restrictions are annoying. EHD has hurt Iowa, yet they don’t discount the tags, or cut back on buck tags. They have reduced doe tags ?

In my area more deer have died from EHD than from hunters.

The best thing Iowa has going for it is the December gun season.

It can be really good, but the investment required for many nonresidents, not sure if it’s worth it ? I bought land in Iowa many years ago, so it’s been worth it for me.

I’m not sure I’d advise hunters to wait 4-5 years to hunt Iowa with the cost and EHD impact . It depends on where you can go ?

Thanks for sharing your experience

 

[Wind Gypsy]

While I'm generally a fan of how IA manages, I don't like whitetail hunting enough to deal with the wait, points/tag fees to hunt there as a NR. Can get a good mule deer hunt in a more interesting place for the time and money and not have any concerns with access or finding the right public ground.

 

[gjs4]

Just an append to the above. I have spent tons of money and effort on my own dirt (hence being on here) and while there have been ups and downs, Im relatively okay with it...even in OH where ive hemmoraged money and havent seen a shooter yet.
Whilst not being all about heading back next year, I had super fun type 2 elk chase on CO Public (DIY backpack...and my first go) as well as shooting both target bucks on the family farm .
I tried two leases, both backfired (ironically one being in Albia in the past and i never go to hunt it).
To each their own, but pay to hunt isnt what lights my candle.

The unique thing about IA to me- is the hunting there is good because of the regs. While states like PA and IN have improved from reg changes....others desperately could use them to adjust the poor hunting culture. wNY gun season is a chit show....horrid....but so is Iowa! Most dont think that. To us mature deer geeks we know age is the key to big ones (more than other factors but not solely independent). The hunter numbers there are all that buffer the culture..where other states having the numbers have the cultural expression to dictate the herd....meaning if hunter density was the same in "X" state it would be near IAs for quality, but since there are more people, killing more deer.....theyre not.

A buddy here bought some dirt in Iowa with a partner precovid. Their ROI is going to be killer but hes killed a 130 3yo there and is so frustrated with the draw and the common timeline shared is "when i retire and move there" (mind you we're in our 40s and blue collar). Thats not gonna work for me. KS every other year? Maybe. But who knows when regs and draws change. If my OH place went to a draw and i didnt get it after doing so much...i dont think id keep it.

Points in being- I dont like paying for access or hunting dirt that Im not connected to.
Every state is one reg away from being in the top, or bottom, five for trophy bucks.

 

[SwampCat]

The problem with any state that gets a reputation for being good - eventually the non-residents will turn it into a shit show and ruin it. Arkansas duck hunting is a perfect example. So is kansas turkey hunting, and their duck hunting is following suit. OK waterfowl and turkeys going the same way.

CO elk hunting - make a hunt in NM and then in CO and see what you think. Ever bass fish Lake Guntersville in AL or Fork in Texas? I applaud Iowa for enacting regulations to try to keep it sane - same with NM. Our state, Arkansas, whored out the duck hunting and ruined it.

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

Just an append to the above. I have spent tons of money and effort on my own dirt (hence being on here) and while there have been ups and downs, Im relatively okay with it...even in OH where ive hemmoraged money and havent seen a shooter yet.
Whilst not being all about heading back next year, I had super fun type 2 elk chase on CO Public (DIY backpack...and my first go) as well as shooting both target bucks on the family farm .
I tried two leases, both backfired (ironically one being in Albia in the past and i never go to hunt it).
To each their own, but pay to hunt isnt what lights my candle.

The unique thing about IA to me- is the hunting there is good because of the regs. While states like PA and IN have improved from reg changes....others desperately could use them to adjust the poor hunting culture. wNY gun season is a chit show....horrid....but so is Iowa! Most dont think that. To us mature deer geeks we know age is the key to big ones (more than other factors but not solely independent). The hunter numbers there are all that buffer the culture..where other states having the numbers have the cultural expression to dictate the herd....meaning if hunter density was the same in "X" state it would be near IAs for quality, but since there are more people, killing more deer.....theyre not.

A buddy here bought some dirt in Iowa with a partner precovid. Their ROI is going to be killer but hes killed a 130 3yo there and is so frustrated with the draw and the common timeline shared is "when i retire and move there" (mind you we're in our 40s and blue collar). Thats not gonna work for me. KS every other year? Maybe. But who knows when regs and draws change. If my OH place went to a draw and i didnt get it after doing so much...i dont think id keep it.

Points in being- I dont like paying for access or hunting dirt that Im not connected to.
Every state is one reg away from being in the top, or bottom, five for trophy bucks.

Iowa is beautiful for sure but they don’t have anything from a habitat perspective from central Ky west doesn’t have. I actually think ky has some landscape advantages. What Ky doesn’t have that Iowa does is regs and culture on its side. You’re spot on about regs dictating it’s position in the hierarchy

 

[Hoytvectrix]

Sure the late firearm season helps a bunch. But Iowa just has fewer hunters in general.

I definitely think other states are seeing the advantage of being a destination for quality whitetail hunting. I have read interviews from multiple state game commissioners, and they are well aware of the reputation that Iowa has.

The big game commissioner for Missouri came out and said they would fully support moving the firearm season later if that's what the public wanted. Every year they send out a survey, and it is definitely trending that more people are willing to move the firearm season, but it has a LONG way to go.

All of the people on various hunting forums are still a very minor group compared to the rest of the hunting population. Until they become more aware, things aren't likely going to change.

 

[gjs4]

Iowa is beautiful for sure but they don’t have anything from a habitat perspective from central Ky west doesn’t have. I actually think ky has some landscape advantages. What Ky doesn’t have that Iowa does is regs and culture on its side. You’re spot on about regs dictating it’s position in the hierarchy

As we have chatted- i wanted to buy in KY....but the way too early gun season (regulation) and baiting (regulation) then lawless trespass in the eastern portion with no enforcement was a no for me. I chose Ohio which is the same except for a better gun season structure and some marginal support with local outlaws. I would not want to be in a bait state again. Anything easy results in brats.

Swampcat- Im with you regarding NR hunters to a point. Saw it first hand in CO this yr and many states. I see it here in NY for our early good with 15 man limits...and thats why i no longer hunt them because there are wannabe YT stars paying and cut throating their way into any birds they see. Where the split comes is Ohio. Those brats there blame NR hunters. 70% of Ohios revenue is NRs and less than 20% of the take....worse yet, resident land owners dont need or buy licenses and you can bait/hunt on any sized property...including my 2ac neighbor who bitches about NR people like me buying up the land they used to hunt for free. Ohio doesnt even survey NR hunter opinions. These same "hunters" are knocking off their legal buck every year (if not more) and then whining about the quality. When EHD hit two years in a row (21&22), then drought (23 & 24), the norm "trophy" buckkill has decreased to 3.5yo. NRs greatest density is on the vast big timber public (which residents dont hunt much)...and theyre still shooting 3s and up. I am so beyond the hunting for food BS too....thats an excuse because a job gets more food than sitting in the woods every-single-time. Phew....sorry for the tirade....

I wish that my residency meant more. I am country af in wNY and NYC tells my paycheck and freedoms everything.

Anyway.... States are managing for their political directives, money, special interests, lobbyist...... not for the ecology, not for hunters....

 

[bwoods11]

Sure the late firearm season helps a bunch. But Iowa just has fewer hunters in general.

I definitely think other states are seeing the advantage of being a destination for quality whitetail hunting. I have read interviews from multiple state game commissioners, and they are well aware of the reputation that Iowa has.

The big game commissioner for Missouri came out and said they would fully support moving the firearm season later if that's what the public wanted. Every year they send out a survey, and it is definitely trending that more people are willing to move the firearm season, but it has a LONG way to go.

All of the people on various hunting forums are still a very minor group compared to the rest of the hunting population. Until they become more aware, things aren't likely going to change.

I’m telling you from experience, the December gun season is “the key”. I ve been there many times. The bucks have settled down, very little chasing. It’s a dang tough hunt!

If Iowa moved the gun season to November 8-15 or 15-24 …for example . It’s over, done … non resident draw would be moot point. Their big trophy bucks would die off in 2-3 years as they get picked off by 350 Legends/450 Bushmasters.

Curt Wells (Bowhunter Magazine)put it best in his description of Iowa . He saw three 170 inch bucks in one week . At the time the most he’d seen in a week long hunt .

He said they were all rutting and chasing does. I believe all three were just out of his bow range . He noted the gun free November & said all three were in rifle range and would likely be dead if the season was different.

That was many years ago, and I believe he’s spot on. It’s a unique situation, the survival rate & age of bucks goes up significantly due to the timing of the gun season!

 

[SwampCat]

I’m telling you from experience, the December gun season is “the key”. I ve been there many times. The bucks have settled down, very little chasing. It’s a dang tough hunt!

If Iowa moved the gun season to November 8-15 or 15-24 …for example . It’s over, done … non resident draw would be moot point. Their big trophy bucks would die off in 2-3 years as they get picked off by 350 Legends/450 Bushmasters.

Curt Wells (Bowhunter Magazine)put it best in his description of Iowa . He saw three 170 inch bucks in one week . At the time the most he’d seen in a week long hunt .

He said they were all rutting and chasing does. I believe all three were just out of his bow range . He noted the gun free November & said all three were in rifle range and would likely be dead if the season was different.

That was many years ago, and I believe he’s spot on. It’s a unique situation, the survival rate & age of bucks goes up significantly due to the timing of the gun season!

I also think the after the rut hunt is key - along with the soil quality. Iowa hunters do not kill fewer deer as a percentage of their herd than any other state - in fact, they may kill more. But the fact that their gun season is after the rut makes it much more difficult for the average hunter to kill a mature buck because they are not running around with an estrus related brain fog looking for does in heat. They also do not allow baiting.

In my home state of AR, while we do have a fair number of mature deer - as a result of our 3 pt antler restriction (on one side) and our expansive deer cover - by far the best times to kill a mature buck are during the early bow season, over bait, before the bucks break out of their summer pattern, and then again during the rut - which is dead center in our four to six week rifle season. Iowa has has neither. They still kill the same percentage of bucks that we do, but they are killing a much larger percentage of 1 and 2 year old bucks instead of 3 and 4 yr old bucks. It also helps that Iowa produces 4 and 5 year old bucks that average larger than our top end bucks at the same age. I have got one picture of a typical buck in my area, or seen a buck someone else killed, in 25 years that would have broke 160. And we have quite a few five yr old bucks. That one deer was and 11 pt at age 5 and I killed him at age 6 and he was a 10 pt that scored 158. Upper 150’s is where our bucks max out , whether 4 yrs old or 8 yrs old.