public land in iowa is good during the early bow season. Oct. 1 to the first week of DEC. bow season closes during the two shot gun season then it opens back up until Jan 10. my brother and other guys i know that bow hunt do the public ground until the shot gun seasons then they go to privet ground or hunt the public ground after the deer had time to calm down. most of the time they are done before the shot gun season starts when it is warm. the rut usually around Nov 1. if some one knows more about the iowa rut please correct me. but any way public ground is very good before the on-slot of shot gun seasons.