IOWA Deer Hunting---Non resident needs info
 

Need some information on hunting IOWA:

One of my son's married a girl with IOWA roots and we have been invited to hunt there. Question #1---How hard is it to get a deer tag for the shotgun season as a non resident hunter?
Question #2---What is the hunting like up in the northeast part of the state ( Ionia to be exact )?
Question #3---Are Muzzle loaders allowed during the shotgun seasons in IOWA?

Folks, I am looking for facts here not opinions!!!

Thanks, and Best Regards, gao

1. Drawing a tag depends on zone and season. It can take years and several points if asking for an archery tag in some zones or it can be 100% success if a gun tag in some zones (not all). I think you are looking at north central and with a gun, you would have very good chance of getting drawn most years.

2. Hunting in that part of the state is very good.

3. Muzzleloaders are legal weapons in all Iowa deer gun seasons.

I believe that area is in zone 9, so it will take you a couple of years to get a either sex tag but you should be able to get a doe tag and party hunt. How big of a farm do they have? I bow hunt around Lansing, awsome area!

Iowa Non-Res. hunting
 

Folks, thanks for the replies.

The farm is at least a couple hundred acres. I am just finding out about this, so more info will be coming in the next couple of months.
My Son's father-in-law just moved back to the old homestead ( the farm ) and my Son and Daughter-in-law visited there for the first time late last summer.
The farm is located in Ionia ( Spelling? ) and was described to me as being located about 4hrs south of Minneapolis Mn, pretty close to the state line with Minn.
I'm still waiting to hear from his father-in-law for more details.
I have (4) sons, three of which are in the USAF, stationed in North Dakota, Ca. and OK-City, the forth son is in Hawaii and I am located in Vermont. Iowa looks to be a good gathering stop for a year family get together, the hunting will be icing on the cake!

What type of terrain are we looking at in this part of the state?
I saw aerial photos of the place and it looks flat, mix of grain fields, wooded areas, with a river or brook running thru it.
Do people put on drives in this type of area? Road hunt? Blinds?
Again, any information would be appreciated.


Thanks again for the info. Greg

non-res can draw a shotgun tag the 1st year, takes about 3 years for a bow tag.

believe areas along the southern and eastern border are the best areas.

pretty sure shotgun/ML seasons are separate from one another.

I forget what the total application costs, for some reason $605 rings a bell, you must buy a buck and a doe tag, and then if you apply for a bonus point, plus license etc...ie to hunt Iowa it'll cost you around $600.

Salukipv1,

Thank you, this is the type of infomation I need.:cool2:

That area is just a lil west of where I hunt around New Albin/Lansing, zone 9. last year there were only 600 NR tags available of which 210 were allocated for bow hunters and there is usally 300 or so unsuccesful bow applictents. You can buy a doe tag but only after the regular draw is over. This is all information you can get of of the web site. I know the area im in during gun season they drive the heck out of it. I only bow hunt, but I have had some awsome hunting there. Good luck

Pope & Young,

Thanks for the response, we hope to be in IOWA this fall.

Regards, Larry, VTGAO and crew.