Traditional Whitetail in Iowa

coyotebb · April 25, 2009, 07:33:00 AM

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 · April 25, 2009, 07:56:00 AM

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

coyotebb · April 25, 2009, 08:19:00 AM

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 · April 25, 2009, 08:23:00 AM

Keep us posted. I have two points now.

Shaun · April 25, 2009, 08:43:00 AM

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 · April 25, 2009, 11:36:00 AM

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 · April 25, 2009, 02:03:00 PM

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 · April 26, 2009, 11:42:00 AM

ttt

wapitimike1 · April 26, 2009, 06:37:00 PM

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 · April 27, 2009, 01:16:00 PM

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 · April 27, 2009, 07:34:00 PM

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 · April 28, 2009, 05:35:00 AM

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.