I hunted Zone 9 in Iowa last year during the rut with my bow and had one of the best times in my life. We hunted along the Turkey River in some of the most incredible deer property I have ever seen. It is absolutely LOADED with big deer. Driving down the road in the middle of the day mature bucks were chasing does like rabbits across peoples front yards, across fields, across the road .. it was nuts.

That being said .. that was during archery and during the rut. From what we were told, 1st shotgun season is INSANE around there. They ALL do drives and getting in on some of the local action is going to cost you, if they will even let you in on it. Property you could have gotten permission with a knock and smile during archery will now be protected at all the borders and very well guarded. The outfitter/farmer we hooked up with can't offer hunts to people at any price during first season on his own farm, as his family would kill him if he tried to let an outsider on. From the pictures and the piles of racks though .. they do kill some SLOB deer .. and in pretty good numbers.
Good luck, and if you want some contacts in the area .. I made some friends in the area who may be able to get you set up. The area is freaking amazing though .. and if you hunted hard in the area I was you could expect a 140"+ deer, and would probably see a few larger than that. I personally saw 3 that would have made B&C easily and P&Y deer were not uncommon at all. In fact a 125" deer was considered kinda small locally.

I'm jealous......