I can't speak to the potential of public land potential in IA, though I do know like IL, much of the state is private.

Are you against hiring an outfitter? Or leasing?

I'm in the same position as you, a non-res with 2 bonus pts, waiting to draw a bow tag, which supposedly happens every 3rd year, though I think there are no guarantees.

I may be wrong, but I believe the hot tag to have in IA is a bow tag....in order to hunt the rut. You may be able to get on some private land more easily to gun hunt than bow hunt...do to demand...