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Iowa Success

HNTNBUX

By HNTNBUX
in Deer Hunting-Bear-Elk-Moose

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HNTNBUX Proficient

HNTNBUX

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I met an older gentleman a few years ago at a range officer safety course. During the class breaks I talked about deer hunting with some of the guys. At the end of the weekend class this gentleman asked for my business card so he could send me information about hunting deer in Iowa. I just got permission to hunt 120 acres in Iowa without even asking. I couldn't believe it. I hunt 80 acres in MN with three other guys and two kids and it has become difficult.

I was able to draw a shotgun tag the first year in 2011 and shot an 8 point that was a little smaller than what I hoped for at about 115". The shot opportunity developed quickly and I made a rushed decision because the buck showed up at exactly legal time and was going to go into the brush and disappear. When I showed the land owner my buck he said "Maybe when you come back you can get a big one". I smiled and welcomed the opportunity to come back. The land was beautiful and the number of deer was pretty impressive.

In 2012 I did not draw a tag.

In 2013 I knew I would draw and was excited to get back down there. About two months before the season he told me he found 2 guys that liked to hunt just like me and he thought we would get along great. A very long story short after one day of hunting the property together it was not great. From driving a four wheeler past my stands, walking past my stands during shooting light, talking to each other loud enough that I could hear them 200 yards away, walking across the corn field morning and evening and then they also brought along a kid that shot at everything and couldn't sit still. It was not a good start.

Day 2 I tried to get farther away from them and it worked, until one of the guys tried sitting 75 yards away from me. We had a very brief conversation and he agreed to go back to the area he hung his stand. By the end of day 2 they had collectively missed and or lost 6 deer. I was at least seeing deer now and they agreed to stay away from me.

Day 3 started slow but with fresh snow and cold I was not worried. I had 2 fork horns walk up a draw past my stand and turned to watch them behind my stand when I saw that there was now 3 deer 15 yards behind my stand behind a cedar. What appeared to be a bigger deer had his nose in my footpath leading to my stand. I could tell he was a much bigger deer and could occasionally see part of his rack. After 5 minutes of trying to figure out where I was he decided to leave, likely the way he came in. I still had not seen him clearly but shouldered my gun just in case. As he crossed an opening about 15' wide 60 yards away I made another snap decision and fired. I saw him dip and stumble but then he was gone. I sat for three more hours not knowing if my shot was good or what size he was for sure. I kept replaying the shot in my mind and what I recalled of his rack. He looked tall but not wide and only 8 points. My shot was quick at a trotting deer while shooting from my off shoulder. The main thing was I knew my cross hairs were behind his shoulder when I fired and he was quartering away. Everything felt good but time was on my side. When I got down I circled ahead of where he ran and came back at him crosswind. I used my binos and located him down and out 40-50 yards from where I shot him. My hit was solid right where I expected but his rack made me giggle all the way back to my truck.

After shooting a few 10 pointers that pushed near the 150 mark I finally broke 150 with an 18" wide 8 point.

After all the ups and downs it ended up being a good trip after we got our different hunting styles worked out. The other guys were really nice guys to talk with at the truck but they sure got the deer spooked. I can't wait to go again if I draw next year.

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HNTNBUX Proficient

HNTNBUX

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Thanks guys. The end of the year is really turning on for me as my wife was able to get a 31 inch walleye this evening. And before you say it, I know it didn't happen w/o pics but I can live with that. Bucks are better than fish.

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