hj, Do you use climbers? I hunt almost exclusively with 2 Lone Wolf hand climbers and move around constantly. Don't fall in love with one spot. I think you'll enjoy it more as well. Iowa public is fun. If you put some time in you will find places that don't get the pressure. Just don't get frustrated if you find yourself looking into someone's trailcam. Seen plenty of those, as well as locals who leave up their fixed stands year round. I marked several ladder stands. Also seen stands pop up overnight but nobody hunt them in archery. Just set by shotgun hunters.

I really enjoy hiking the hills and hollers in February, when I do all my scouting. It's a really good idea to install the private land chip in your GPS because there are tons of unmarked property lines.