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.
Be worth a shot, keep me updated. Don't you have to draw tags?
You have to draw. I beleive a guy will get a tag at least every other year. The IADNR site has app details.
Keep us posted. I have two points now.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.