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.
Yes I hunt with my climber a lot. I was told by some that there are not to many straight tree's in Iowa for climbers. I too have a Lone Wolf climber and a Equlizer Climber. Having other Bowhunters around can be a plus sometimes if its a big chunk of land. I hunt Public in PA and seen my share of traffic in the woods. I plan on going out scouting for a few days next spring. I plan to hunt 10 days. I think if I find some good looking spots on 2 state lands, hunt hard and have some luck with the weather and Deer God's I think I should get a poke at a nice one. Still a way's off and I have lots of homework to do, but thats part of the fun. I am going to buy a new GPS this season. The one I have now don't take the PLC. I will checkout that PLC, thanks. Be Safe!
HJ