Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Bow Hunting in Iowa


Code-Man

Recommended Posts

Has anyone gone down there? I'm checking out the application and wow what a difference then MN for getting a bow tag. Anyone ever drawn one before? Just wondering what I'm getting into because there only allowing 80 out of state bow tags in the area. Is this normal to have out of state applicant numbers that low? I've never hunted out of the state so just trying to figure out what I'm getting into before hand.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I starting buying a preference point last year ( in a few states) and will again this year so in 2009 I should be all set to have a better chance at drawing it. I have not tried drawing any tag yet. I believe it was $20. Are planning a DIY hunt? Public land? I was looking at an outfitter down there over $2K for the hunt but they did have some decent luck in the past...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a buddy who lives down there so I wouldn't be looking for an outfitter since he's already "hired" Why have you been buying preference points and not applying? I'm just hoping to get drawn I looked down in Iowa and saw Bill Jordan, Michael Waddel and another Team Realtree Member got denied...makes ya wonder sometimes. My dad and group of them applied out in WY for the first time for a bull elk tag. The group got drawn first time applying and they got a statewide bull elk tag.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The more prefrance points you have the better your odds in drawing a tag. Every time you apply for a tag and dont draw, you will get a pref. point for the next years drawing. All states are different some states you can draw a tag every year and some it might take 10 years, it also depends on what species (deer, elk, bear) or how you are going to take the animal (gun, bow, muzzeloader). It also depends on how many tags are available in each area, some have more than others. So if you are appling in a area with only 80 tags it might take awhile. Good luck!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have been considering a DIY hunt down there, as well. I too was thinking of getting a few years worth of preference points saved up to help with getting drawn. I'd be interested in talking more with anyone who is considering this or who has done this. Also am considering several other states, and would like to hear opinions or experiences from others.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't know that it is harder to get a bow tag than a shotgun season tag but if I were you I would apply for a tag every year. I have been drawn for a tag in Iowa 4 out of 5 years that I have appllied. Once again that is for the shotgun season.

Good Luck in Iowa if you get drawn. I have seen some real beauties down there.

I have a preferance point this year after not getting drawn last year. I sure am looking forward to my return trip.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A NR Iowa bow tag is a draw about every 3 years. Not everyone - even those big wigs will get drawn every year unless they are given a "govenors tag" which is total [PoorWordUsage] but a totally different story.

The low numbers of NR bow tags are put in place for a reason and Iowa residents hope like heck they stay that way so more outfitters don't move in, buy or lease up everything they can find, and run the average joe out of his lifelong hunting spots - it's happening all the time.

Apply every year man, you'll get one eventually. Be prepared though....if you go down to Iowa, do your homework, and hunt in the right place you'll be ruined for life and not want to hunt deer anywhere else. It's that good down there for quite a few reasons.....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • leech~~
      Nothing?  No one got a deer, saw a deer or heard a deer?  Know someone who got a deer or know someone that knows someone who got a deer this year?     I didn't go for one of the first years since I was 14, just no sign up where we hunt to give and effort.  
    • leech~~
      Jeez, John Parker Romo never played in the NFL or with the Vikings and he walks on and saves the day!  I thinking he's a full time employee now!  
    • leech~~
      Losing to a 2-7 team at the half!!  
    • JerkinLips
      41.6°F in Stuntz Bay Thursday morning.  Left my boat in the water to hopefully fish more before the lake freezes.  Caught four 9-11" walleyes in 2½ hours before I gave up due to the strong west wind.  Water level has not gone up more than a couple of inches at the most.  May be a good winter to jack my boathouse out of the water on the deep end.
    • Troy Smutka
      The calendar migrators from the Dakotas have been passing through central MN in trickles the past few weeks, and the recent cooler weather has some Canada ducks starting to show up. We have been harvesting mallards, pintails, gadwalls, wigeon, shovelers, greenwing teal, canvasbacks, redheads, bluebills, and ringnecks in decent numbers.
    • SkunkedAgain
      It doesn't look like the lake level has gone up at all. I was up a week ago and struggled to get my boat in and out of the public landing on the west end of Head O Lakes. I used my paddle to push the boat further out to deeper water. I could hear the hull moving over the sandy/muddy bottom near the launch.
    • JerkinLips
      Pretty tough.  Was catching about 2 walleyes per hour and the biggest was only 13".  Back up Thursday so I hope I have better success.
    • smurfy
      the kid and I always check our stands prior.......i'll go back to check the conditions of said stands before he gets there to see what we need. while i'm at it if i can i shoot at grouse with shells that appear to not have bb,s in them!!!!🙄
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  With unseasonably warm weather, there are still some anglers hitting the water and most have been rewarded.  Limits of walleyes and saugers being caught, and the forecast looking ahead is favorable. The best bite on the south end of LOW has been in 22-28 feet of water. Water temperatures are dropping and as the temps cool further, the bite has been excellent.     Vertical jigging with frozen emerald shiners has been the program for most anglers.  Bring plenty of bait, as you’ll need to sort through some smaller fish and short biters.  Plenty of eater fish to be had, just have to do a bit of sorting.  Anglers are also reporting very good numbers of jumbo perch and occasional pike mixed in with the walleyes.     For those fishing structure, if you slide up on top of a rock pile, don't be surprised to catch a big smallmouth bass, there are plenty around.   This week’s hot colors have been gold, gold/glow white, gold/chartreuse, gold/orange, and gold/glow white/pink.     One tip, a stinger hook on your jig will catch you more fish if you start missing too many fish. On the Rainy River...  Bait dealers are reporting good numbers of shiners in the river this past week.  Interesting, each night is different.  Some areas have the small shiners called pinheads.  Other areas have the larger minnows.     The river is producing some nice walleyes in various spots from Four Mile Bay to Wheeler's Point, to Baudette all the way to Birchdale.  There are 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale with plenty of public boat ramps along the way.     Walleyes are being caught in various depths, but 15-25 feet of water has been good.   Jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners has been highly effective. Some anglers are also trolling crankbaits to cover more ground and find fish. Both methods are producing solid results. Sturgeon fishing has been strong.  The catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is open into the spring when it changes to the "keep season" on April 24th. Up at the NW Angle...  Fall fishing continues to be excellent. Points, neck-down areas with current, shoreline breaks, and transition zones from rock to mud are all productive locations for walleye right now.   It is traditionally a mixed bag up around the many islands in this part of the lake and this fall is no different.  In addition to walleyes, pike, jumbo perch, and crappies are in the mix.  A jig and minnow has been the most effective presentation. Good muskie fishing is the norm during the fall of the year and area reports have been good.  In addition to casting, trolling shorelines, points and neckdown areas has been effective.  Muskies are often targeting schooling tullibees this time of year. The weather forecast for the next couple of weeks is conducive for fall fishing.  If you don't deer hunt, or if you have harvested your deer, consider some bonus walleye action before the ice forms.  The bite continues to be excellent.    
    • leech~~
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.