PUBLIC LAND IN IOWA
#2
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: S.E. Wisconsin
Posts: 148
RE: PUBLIC LAND IN IOWA
Call the DNR office in the area you intend to hunt. They can put you in contact with the areas bioligist or warden. A couple friends did that last year and they were onto some great public land hunting. The bioligist recomended a property that had just become public. One of the guys hunted there and NEVER saw another hunter, he ended up shooting a 130's class buck. The other guy hunted a marsh and saw just 2 hunters in a week and many huge bucks. He shot a big 10 point but never found it.
The last couple times I hunted out that way, I just knocked on doors and got permission. I am not sure what you meant by "regular" season? if you mean gun season, you are probably going to have to deal with alot of pressure.I just bow hunt out there.
The last couple times I hunted out that way, I just knocked on doors and got permission. I am not sure what you meant by "regular" season? if you mean gun season, you are probably going to have to deal with alot of pressure.I just bow hunt out there.
#3
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 612
RE: PUBLIC LAND IN IOWA
Best tool I have used so far is this.
http://www.sportsmanatlas.com/iowa/atlas/iowa_sportsmans_atlas.html
This thing worked great when I went out there. I was able to find land that was unpressured and public.
http://www.sportsmanatlas.com/iowa/atlas/iowa_sportsmans_atlas.html
This thing worked great when I went out there. I was able to find land that was unpressured and public.
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,288
RE: PUBLIC LAND IN IOWA
Southeast corner always has some monster my neighbors go hunting there the last 4 years they have had 2 170"+ 2 150"+ and 2 120"+ and a 184" I havent drawn yet hopefully this year
#7
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Appleton, WI
Posts: 11
RE: PUBLIC LAND IN IOWA
The Iowa DNR has public hunting land information as well. Possibly more up to date than the atlas.
Here is a link: http://www.iowadnr.com/wildlife/wmamaps/pubhunt.html
There is an interactive mapping tool link in the middle of the page as well.
Here is a link: http://www.iowadnr.com/wildlife/wmamaps/pubhunt.html
There is an interactive mapping tool link in the middle of the page as well.
#8
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 612
RE: PUBLIC LAND IN IOWA
I recommend getting the Atlas and looking at the site. The DNR site may be up to date but the Atlas will show you county land that is open to hunting. We hunted land that wasnt on any maps but the atlas. 1 parking lot with a little sign that said public hunting land. No bowhunters at all and this was the first 2 weeks of November.
Don
Don
#10
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 612
RE: PUBLIC LAND IN IOWA
Peak,
I went last year and there was 3 of us. We should have had 2 P&Y bucks as I blew a chance on a 150 class as he spotted me drawing (I rushed it). My buddy missed a 140 class 10 point at 15 yards right under him as he got two excited. Saw lots of nice bucks, tons of does, and very friendly people out there.
I live here in Illinois and Iowa is one of my favorite places to hunt.
Don
I went last year and there was 3 of us. We should have had 2 P&Y bucks as I blew a chance on a 150 class as he spotted me drawing (I rushed it). My buddy missed a 140 class 10 point at 15 yards right under him as he got two excited. Saw lots of nice bucks, tons of does, and very friendly people out there.
I live here in Illinois and Iowa is one of my favorite places to hunt.
Don