Thinking about applying for Iowa Non-Resident Archery Tag. What do I need to know

It does depend on the zone you apply for. The high demand zones take several years to draw for archery. The DNR website has all the draw odds and scenarios for each zone. I know nonresident landowners here that did not draw zone 5 with 4 points this year.

If you want to hunt a gun season, its much easier to draw a tag. But, everyone wants to come hunt archery during the rut and I really cant blame them. The price is what it is because the demand is there. If you want to hunt elk in the best states and areas, you have to pay big money. Same goes for hunting what might be the best deer herd in the country. Certainly the least pressured and oldest age structure.

 

I would take you up on that offer

 

We don't mind the wait I suppose, we have pretty good hunting down here in NW Missouri, and it will be fun once we get drawn I'm sure. I just wish Missouri would get onboard with Iowa and learn from what they are doing up there. I think you are exactly right, Iowa has a much, much better age structure than other states which is what makes it a top notch destination. Maybe I will retire up there

 

I have already hinted at this to the wife....I got years and years to wear her down thankfully.

 

Your going to need draw with two or three points for a zone four archery tag. so you have lots of time to figure it out. Save the hassle and fronting the license cost and just purchase a point the next two years then draw on the third year. about 2/3 draw with three points, the rest draw with 4 or more .

 

Your hunting would be every bit as good as ours and maybe even better if you didn't allow rifles during the rut and if you had a lottery system for non-residents.

I am shocked at how many people are moving here just for the deer hunting. Our land is really getting locked up at an alarming rate. I am so lucky to have bought farms when I did. There are big names in the outdoors world and very deep pockets buying up all the good stuff. I could get several times what I paid for my ground and it would sell in a matter of days. Its nuts.

 

Also keep in mind that Iowa is a true preference point draw meaning that the tags are awarded to the applicants with the most preference points first. So unless some anomaly took place changing the historical Number of applicants, or the amount of tags available changed you have statistically zero chance of drawing the tag with zero or one point in zone 4 for an archery tag.

 

I got my first IA point this year. I said what the heck, lets do it. Thinking by the first time I get to hunt it my youngest will be in middle school and I will have a little flexibility with hunting that I haven't had for many years.

 

You have an open invite with me!

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Thanks Dan! How is your season going?

 

Pathetic to say the least. My wife works weekends so I haven't been out much. I sneak out every now and again.

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Ok, well then I hope you get some time in the woods soon. Clean the entire house and tell her to take off next weekend. lol

 

We also just moved this week haha. So house is a wreck. Lol

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I have 3 points. Haven’t bought one in several years. When I am ready to go should have a real good chance to draw any zone I want. Still not guaranteed. Zone 5 I thought was the hardest to draw.

 

So, do you think we should just buy the preference points next year and not bother with the actual draw? Either was costs us the same amount basically, just have to wait for the refund check for the balance.

 

About a only 50% chance of drawing 4&5 with three points for a bow tag.

 

no point in trying to draw zone 4 till you have three points. even with three points you only have about a 55 %ish chance of drawing. 4 points or more is 100 %

 

As others have said, it is best just to buy a point this season. I think last year it was about $56 to buy a point. Then you do not have to wait for the refund.

I have a friend with some land in zone 9 that invited me to go. I have enough points to ensure a draw in 2018, finally.

 

The only folks that like it is you darn out of staters

 

I've got 3 points this year but with a kid on the way is going to be at least another year. My issue is finding a place to hunt. Not sure yet if i want to go lease, guided or just wing it on public.