Wondering if anyone on here has bow hunted Iowa as a non-resident and if so how was your experience. Or just any thoughts anyone may have about this topic. Thank You. Jason
Never hunted Iowa as a non-resident but I've got a little experience. One of the properties I hunt is also hunted by a couple guys from Michigan. They are old friends of the landowner. They draw archery tags about every third year. We always know when they draw and figure out when they're coming and we leave that property to them when they are here. The last I heard it was about $570 for a tag and $50 for a preference point.
I have. Loved it. Best whitetail country I have personally witnessed as a bowhunter. I've hunted my home state, Idaho for almost 30 years, and been in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Montana, Kansas, E. Wash and North Dakota for bowhunting whitetails.. or shed hunting or both. Now with that being said, take into account that I got to hunt on a friends ground. Roughly 500 acres. Well managed for old deer. Very low pressure on his land with the surrrounding properties recieving more pressure. I am pretty sure that had a lot to do with "why" my experience was so impressive from a pure "see big free ranging whitetails during the daylight" experience. Still the old bucks were not out cruising in the open much at all .....my big buck encounters were in the timber.. Not to say they didnt cruise out in the open some too. Most likely you will have over 700.00 into your tags and license by the time you pay for your 3 bowhunting preference points. Figure in your travel expenses etc. and I think I paid about 200.00 to have my buck processed right there in Iowa and had shipped home since I flew out.. By the time it was all said and done I had roughly 2 grand into my trip. Would I do it again, yup, plan on it as long as my friend will have me back every 3 years! I saw two of the biggest bucks I've ever laid eyes on in 9 days in Iowa.. and ended up killing a very nice 5x5 buck that grossed right at 150... I passed on a giant that I knewmy buddy really wanted and was after that ended up 188 and he was broken/chipped up somewhat... when he killed it later in muzzle loader... Good luck.
Just remember to match your expectations to the property you will hunt. Most of the incredible hunts you hear about in Iowa take place on private property with very limited hunting pressure. You will not have that luxury on public ground . Good luck!
