Iowa NR zone 9 gun hunt

[morten]

Looking for some feedback on gun hunting nonresident zone 9 in Iowa for mature bucks. I’m thinking of trying this zone due to the fact that it doesn’t take several years to draw.

 

[Speaks]

When I lived in Iowa that area was my favorite.

 

[morten]

When I lived in Iowa that area was my favorite.

Hey Speaks, Did you hunt public or private? What caliber of Bucks were you seeing?

 

[Speaks]

Hey Speaks, Did you hunt public or private? What caliber of Bucks were you seeing?

More public though a little private. I mostly hunted south of there closer to home but got up there a bit as well.

There are (or were) real bruisers up there. Lots over 150.

 

[morten]

More public though a little private. I mostly hunted south of there closer to home but got up there a bit as well.

There are (or were) real bruisers up there. Lots over 150.

Sounds good. Thanks again Speaks.

 

[Leaf Litter]

Looking for some feedback on gun hunting nonresident zone 9 in Iowa for mature bucks. I’m thinking of trying this zone due to the fact that it doesn’t take several years to draw.

I grew up one county west of there. 9 is easily the best part of the state to live in or visit for overall outdoor activities, pretty darn good deer hunting also. Lower population density than the southern part of the state, deer are more nocturnal also. Mature bucks have a larger comparative range, so sometimes its more of a game of shooting a big "to whom it may concern" buck rather than one you've patterned all year. Bucks are large bodied, and generally only respond to cold when its brutal outside, but when it gets cold cold, the hunting is great. Drive hunting rules the land during 1 and 2 gun seasons, but can be avoided and used much to your advantage.

 

[OMB]

Looking for some feedback on gun hunting nonresident zone 9 in Iowa for mature bucks. I’m thinking of trying this zone due to the fact that it doesn’t take several years to draw.

Happy to discuss first hand experiences privately, but unless you own land or have a landowner friend/invite to a group, you're going to be fighting massive pressure from residents. There's a reason it's an easy tag to draw.

 

[morten]

I grew up one county west of there. 9 is easily the best part of the state to live in or visit for overall outdoor activities, pretty darn good deer hunting also. Lower population density than the southern part of the state, deer are more nocturnal also. Mature bucks have a larger comparative range, so sometimes its more of a game of shooting a big "to whom it may concern" buck rather than one you've patterned all year. Bucks are large bodied, and generally only respond to cold when its brutal outside, but when it gets cold cold, the hunting is great. Drive hunting rules the land during 1 and 2 gun seasons, but can be avoided and used much to your advantage.

Thanks Leaf litter. Appreciate your feedback.

 

[morten]

Happy to discuss first hand experiences privately, but unless you own land or have a landowner friend/invite to a group, you're going to be fighting massive pressure from residents. There's a reason it's an easy tag to draw.

Hey OMB, would love to hear your experiences. I’m new at this so I’m not sure that works.

 

[Trey Arentz]

I did zone 9 muzzleloader last year after having a successful archery season there the year prior. Total night and day difference between the archery tag and the muzzleloader. The muzzleloader season was super cold, and the properties were almost vacant if deer. Found one group of does the second last day of the 4 days I hunted. I planned for a week and left early. I talked to a local and all of the properties have been driven multi times already. I didn't see a ton of other hunters, but when I did they were just walking through everything. I don't think I even saw 5 deer the whole trip, no antlers. I personally would either try for 1st shotgun season or just wait until you draw an archery tag. Archery season was 10x better

 

[morten]

I grew up one county west of there. 9 is easily the best part of the state to live in or visit for overall outdoor activities, pretty darn good deer hunting also. Lower population density than the southern part of the state, deer are more nocturnal also. Mature bucks have a larger comparative range, so sometimes its more of a game of shooting a big "to whom it may concern" buck rather than one you've patterned all year. Bucks are large bodied, and generally only respond to cold when its brutal outside, but when it gets cold cold, the hunting is great. Drive hunting rules the land during 1 and 2 gun seasons, but can be avoided and used much to your advantage.

I did zone 9 muzzleloader last year after having a successful archery season there the year prior. Total night and day difference between the archery tag and the muzzleloader. The muzzleloader season was super cold, and the properties were almost vacant if deer. Found one group of does the second last day of the 4 days I hunted. I planned for a week and left early. I talked to a local and all of the properties have been driven multi times already. I didn't see a ton of other hunters, but when I did they were just walking through everything. I don't think I even saw 5 deer the whole trip, no antlers. I personally would either try for 1st shotgun season or just wait until you draw an archery tag. Archery season was 10x better

Thanks for that info Trey. Very helpful. I keep hearing that the guns seasons are tough unless you have private as the locals main source of hunting is driving. I just bow hunted zone 4 this year and loved it. I am 60 so waiting another 6 yrs to draw there is out of the question. I may just do zone 9 and try early shotgun. Hopefully can find some permission property or lease. Nice caribou by the way.