Hey ya'll, I no longer have a place to hunt in Kansas and decided this is the year to burn up my Iowa points.

I am after private ground preferably in SE Iowa but will consider other opportunities.

It needs to be big enough for two people as I would be bringing my right hand guy in the shop, Preacher.

Any ideas would be interesting. I'm not looking for public land.

Thanks, BigJim

Would you consider hunting with Frisky in SE Minnesota as one of those "other opportunities"?

But good luck finding the right spot in Iowa, all kidding aside.

Finding a spot in Minnesota isn't an issue... putting up with Frisky would be a real issue!

BigJim

Jim, I wish you luck in your quest for Iowa land to hunt.

I would PAY to watch a video of you and Frisky hunting together and I'd bet that a lot of others would as well. You could use the proceeds to fund an Iowa lease and just give Frisky his cut in cat food.

Probably going to need an outfitter.I have a place and house there but members pay dues every year not just when they draw.If they don't draw they hunt shotgun season with the party hunting rules.

He can't stay awake long enough to take a Georgia hog. How's he going take the cagey deer I hunt?

Joe

Frisky, you'd have to teach him to hunt those "cagey" deer of course. Again, something I'd PAY to watch.

I'm sure Big Jim can drive so he's already ahead of the curve of learning your preferred hunting method based on tales I've read here.

I would recommend keeping out of Jim's wing span and reach while this "teaching" is going on. I'm guessing he can hit pretty hard. On second thought, throw caution to the wind just make sure you get it on film. I'm sure The Legend can take a punch or two (hopefully for your sake).

Lol

UTube viral

Did spellcheck change "caged" to "cagey"?

The thing is the out of state hunters who want to hunt Iowa don't really want to hunt Iowa, they want to hunt about 8 counties in the southeast corner. The rest of the state is no likely any better than where they are already at. Luck to you.

The problem as I see it... We can only get drawn every 3 or so years for a bow tag in Iowa. Hard to get to know a place .. and keep a place if you only go up for a week every 3 or so years. If I had more time, I would go several times a year... just not happening for another 50 years or so! :)

We've also been going to Kansas for 10 years and would have continued to go there had we not lost out on our lease this year.

I am already looking/thinking about another state to hunt for years to come. I like to take my employees out for a get a way hunt to show my appreciation. We can do that anywhere, but the allure of "Big Bucks" has my guys buzzing and talking about the trip throughout the year.

Thanks for any help/suggestions, BigJim

You sound like a fine guy to work for Jim. It's nice when small businesses are able and willing to do such. Years ago my ex wife and I owned a small chain of beauty salons. We would take our staff on weekend outings a couple of times a year and I know they appreciated it.

Also try HLN hunting lease network they lease properties and always have properties available because their leases come due before people even know if they draw! (Messed up system)

The 8 Counties in SE Iowa aren't what they used to be check out zone 4 SW Iowa

Texas might be a better option for a group and nice bucks

It's more like every 4 years lately in Iowa lots of people bought just preference points last year due to covid uncertainty.This year will be tough I bet

There was a proposal giving outfitters some sort of preference I'm not sure if it passed

I would pick another part of the state and hunt public. There is good hunting in a lot of Iowa. I don't know what type of deer you are looking for but a 140" deer is definitely doable on public in Iowa. If you have a couple weeks to hunt you can have an opportuniy at a great buck. I killed a very good buck on public last year in Iowa and than killed one in Nebraska as well, both on public and I hunted for almost 3 weeks for a around 2500 dollars and that was all inclusive, tags, food, gas, staying at camp ground. I would think a lease would cost that 2500 per person ecsp in the part of Iowa you want to go. Shawn

LOL, by the way, do all the big bucks stop at the MO border? Why no focus on the top tier of MO northeast counties?

NW MO is hot now too and rifle hunting is during the rut with OTC license

I have a work buddy who has 250 acres/farm in Iowa. Kills a nice buck every year. I was asked last week if I wantd to lease 50 acres. The only issue is I would not be able to hunt for quite some tune due to the point system

I hunted public land in SE Iowa and took a couple of nice bucks. 140 class. And saw a few bigger ones.

You might want to look into Illinios. Good hunting and you more then likely will get a tag every year. I never had a problem obtaining one.

""LOL, by the way, do all the big bucks stop at the MO border? Why no focus on the top tier of MO northeast counties?""

The bucks are a bit less large in MO and here is why...

""NW MO is hot now too and rifle hunting is during the rut with OTC license""

I quit IA several years back because I was paying 500 for a chance at a buck a few inches bigger than out the back door...

Research Ohio's leases, decent deer can be had, over the counter license and good season

SE Ohio Vinton County

I have some land you can lease in WV. All the spikes and does you want. Lol

I live in SE Ia. and have taken some nice bucks over the years. I use to hunt Northern MO also. I agree with KennyM I'm not sure the extra money for tags is worth it. If I didn't live here I wouldn't pay the price. That being said there is some good public land here. One of my friends hunts public and sees nice bucks every year. Killing a big buck here is no slam dunk it takes a lot of work unless you just get lucky.

Ah the leatherwall. A guy asks for some help on a place in Iowa to hunt and he gets all kinds of advice on NOT to go there.I can imagine a big facepalm from Jim, he is probably too nice to complain about it. HE IS LOOKING FOR HELP IN IOWA! Im not the leatherwall police or a Karen, just an observation.

Kare...,uh knifeman read Big Jim's 3rd post ------> :)

What is a Karen? LOL. There are lots of leases in Iowa. I bought 99 acres there a few years ago. Not much land but it is good land.

BS where?

Sorry but Kansas is becoming a joke. They give out way to many NR tags. They should reduce the number to 5 or 6 thousand and it should be like Iowa, draw every few years or longer. If I was looking at a place to hunt long term every year. I would look at North Dakota, Kentucky and even some spots in West Virginia. Tags are 275 bucks in ND and lots of public as well as a lot of land that is not posted so you may hunt it. If you are not looking for a huge lease ND has some landowners who dont own a ton and are willing to lease. I leased for a bit in Ohio and Indiana and never again. Unless you have someone to watch the lease for you or can be there several weeks a year its tough. I like public as if you are willing to work for them there arte big bucks to be had most anywhere. The biggest issue is time, its hard no matter where you go, even on a lease to kill a good deer if ya only have a week to hunt. Shawn

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here