Successful hunt in Iowa on Public Ground! W/My Silvertip

limbow · July 10, 2015, 10:36:00 AM

Myself and two other trad fellas drew archery tags for this Fall in region 5 of Iowa. We are concentrating on the Rathbun and Pella areas. Can anyone comment on their experiences hunting those areas? Any helpful information would be greatly appreciated.

Best,
Kevin in Michigan

limbow · July 11, 2015, 07:04:00 AM

TTT

soap creek · July 11, 2015, 07:29:00 AM

I've never hunted that area. You might try the Iowa Bowhunters Association site and find the area rep. for that area, he may be able to you give some tips. Also the Pella area is closer to Des Moines, that may be a concern. My family all came from the Rathbun area its less populated. Don't be afraid to nock some doors, you never know?

soap creek · July 11, 2015, 11:23:00 AM

Kevin, you may also might want to look near Unionville, there's public hunting around there. Unionville has a small park with camp sites. Blakesburg is north of Unionville there's a lot of leased ground and trophy hunting in that area. Some of the big named hunters own ground near Blakesburg so private ground to hunt is hard to come by around there. If you have questions give me a pm.

limbow · July 12, 2015, 07:31:00 AM

Thank you Greg, appreciate the insight. I have been pounding the pavement on the web and finding some good info, I was just hoping to get a fellow tradganger's perspective. We are planning to drive out for a few days and get the boots on the ground for some pre-season scouting.

Sawpilot 75 · July 12, 2015, 07:51:00 AM

Lots of good public on Iowa. Iowa dnr has good maps on the website which should allow you to get away from people.

Steve O · July 12, 2015, 09:40:00 AM

Kevin,

I was out in Zone 6 scouting last week. Some of the corn was 8' tall. Take your bug tamer suit. Mosquitos were out in force but no ticks at all compared to May. I picked dozens of tick off me in May.

Kelly · July 12, 2015, 04:11:00 PM

There is some good public ground north of Unionville.

FAV 52 · July 12, 2015, 11:03:00 PM

I have hunted around Chariton in the past camped in Red Haw park and hunted on the Chariton River south east of there ; public land . Another spot that I have hunted is north east of there again public land ; Stephens Forest . Harvested several nice deer and seen a couple real wall hangers . good luck

limbow · July 13, 2015, 04:36:00 PM

Thanks fellas! Great advice Steve on the bug tamer..they are brutal this year. We have maps from stick and string hunter friend of ours, he is 3 for 3 in the area we are going. He has provided some great insight as well. Should be a great hunt!

jsparky93 · July 15, 2015, 07:58:00 PM

I live a few miles from lake Rathbun so I hunt the area a lot. It gets a lot of pressure,especially during the rut but if you get away from the access points there is some good hunting. Another thing to consider is water level of the lake as it has a considerable impact on how easy areas are to access.

limbow · October 19, 2015, 02:14:00 PM

So I am about 10 days out before I head to Iowa for my archery hunt. Any idea where I can find out the current status on crops harvested vs still standing?

Also looking for input on decoying deer while I am there. I am pretty in tune with my hunting ground s here in Michigan so I haven't decoyed much. I think having a decoy and set up could prove beneficial while hunting Iowa.

Can anyone comment on the Montana decoy's? They look pretty easy to back pack into a set.

Thanks in advance,
Kevin in Michigan

October 19, 2015, 02:37:00 PM

Never been hunting in Iowa, but just wanted to wish you good luck!

Bisch

23feetupandhappy · October 19, 2015, 02:58:00 PM

Not sure what part of the state that your zone is in.

We haven't had a drop of rain in over 20 days and the farmers have been harvesting like crazy.....
A lot of crops have been harvested already although im not sure on the % numbers.

Im on the Eastern side and id say its about half out.

Decoying works just like grunting on a grunt tube.
Sometimes it works, sometimes they could care less.
I don't have any experience with the Montana Decoys but have used a Carry Lite quit a bit with some moderate success.

When it works you will see deer do things that you've never seen before

Any more questions just ask away!

northener · October 19, 2015, 05:01:00 PM

no rain ----harvest in full swing --- 10 days out till you arrive My guess crops will be all out. Here in Mn farmers are just about done with everything just tillage left.

Yellow Dog · October 19, 2015, 06:09:00 PM

Sent you a PM.

JohnV · October 20, 2015, 03:03:00 PM

In Zone 6 most of the soybeans have been combined. Some of the corn as well.

limbow · October 31, 2015, 02:20:00 PM

Got it done this morning on Public ground in Iowa. I'll have to wait to upload pics tonight, I'm too tired to upload them from my iPhone!!! 12 point , 6 yard shot with my 62" Silvertip 3pc Longbow. Both lungs and clipped the heart! Arrow was tipped with a Wensel Woodsman Elite .

mparks · October 31, 2015, 02:39:00 PM

Way to go! Can't wait to see him.

Keith Zimmerman · October 31, 2015, 02:55:00 PM

Congrats! Waiting for pics....