I live in Iowa and did not get a deer yet with my bow. Season ends in nine days. I just moved my stand to some good timber I've been scouting. Alot of rubs and few fresh scrapes. I was wanting some tips on how to go about hunting it. I have talked to very few people who have successfully hunted post shotgun. Some questions are: Is doe in heat scent good? Rattling? If so how aggresive? Grunting. Is it a good idea to hunt rubs after shotgun? They were there before shotgun?

Welcome to the board first, second doe in heat may work if there is a second rut on where you are hunting. You will find the deer will probably be moving much earlier in the morning and later in the afternoon, you will need to be as close to a bedding area as possible.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

I know I have seen more deer after shotgun season and in the last 3 weeks than I have all 3 months before shotgun season. I used to think after shotgun season that hunting went downhill but after this year I am convinced otherwise. Just put your time in and you are bound to see a deer. By the way if you have a food source hunt it in the evenings, I have been hunting a clover field and they are all over it. As far as the doe in heat and rattling, unless they are in rut in Iowa which they probably are not put it away and just hunt with your eyes and ears.

Edited by - Bucky10 on 01/02/2003 13:01:40

I have been hunting N.E. and Central Iowa since Shot gun has been done. The does are moving pretty consistantly at the same times every day. The does have been in fairly large groups put there are still plenty of them out there.

I have not seen many bucks since shot gun. I believe they have gone fairly nocturnal but they are out there.

No rattling at this time, all rutting is far gone. Find where they are traveling between bedding areas and food and be still. The deer I believe are very suspecious after being shot at for a few weeks.

GO PACK!

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Good luck finding thoose deer. I'm still trying to fill an Iowa doe tag, but my deer have disappeared. I'm hunting an area where before gun season, I always saw deer, but nothing since bow season opened back up. Glad I got my buck and a Bremer county doe before the shotgunners came out to play. I believe they really bunch up this time of the year. December 31st, 1999 I filled my tag when 15 deer were under my tree. I won't quit!!!!! I think a little snow would make it easier to figure out where they went. I think you should just sit in a good place and wait, no rut scents or calling. Jim