Anti-Climactic Iowa

[seazofcheeze]

After applying for Iowa points for 6 years, I finally had enough points (and the time to hunt) to apply for the Golden Ticket this Summer. With 6 points, it was no surprise that I drew my Zone 5 Iowa tag. A little discouraged by the ever increasing popularity of The Hunting Public, I reminded myself that the non-resident tag quota is essentially the same every year, and that hunting pressure should be viewed as a constant from year to year. I almost decided to apply for another zone, but decided to stick with the original plan, hunting pressure and all.

Long story short, I had 3 or 4 areas that I knew would definitely produce. A few days into the hunt, I wounded a very nice 8pt hunting CRP with no trees nearby and a bow mounted stalker decoy. The buck spotted the decoy (with me behind it) about 110 yards away. I grunted (even though it was a doe decoy) and he came marching in. He got a little suspicious and turned broadside. I drew, stood up to clear the CRP and sent an arrow. I didn't risk popping out from behind the decoy to rangefind the distance, which was probably a mistake in hindsight. I tracked that buck over 900 yards before I lost blood. I am 90% confident I hit him in "no man's land" because when I ranged after the shot, he was 8 yards closer than I estimated. Left to right arrow flight looked perfect. High hit is the only thing that makes sense.

IA Arrow.PNG

I hunted this property for 2 more days and had some really close (5 yards and 7 yards) encounters with some 2 year old bucks on the ground, which was a lot of fun. I also saw a really wide 8pt that had to be 140+, but unfortunately I spooked him.

The morning of November 3rd was some of the best weather in the forecast for a while, so I decided to hit what I thought was the best looking piece I scouted. It was a LONG walk through marsh grass and deadfall, to a bedding area on an interior transition. When I scouted it the week before, I jumped lots of deer and saw no human sign. Two wet areas funneled movement perfect for a bowhunter. I KNEW this was a killer spot. I started out 1.5 hours before daylight, and ended up finally climbing in the tree about 15 minutes before sunrise. I made a big loop to keep the wind right and come in from the opposite direction I expected movement. About 10 minutes after climbing into my stand, I saw my first deer. From 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., I saw 10 does and 5 bucks. I passed 2 bucks, one I am absolutely sure was bigger, working a scrape at 20 yards.

I shot the 5th buck at 11 a.m. He came out of a thick bedding area to my left that the majority of the other deer and went into during the morning and worked a scrape at 20 yards. I got a 10-15 second looking at him. I thought he was bigger, plain and simple. Perfect shot and he made it about 50 yards. Ended up scoring 118", about 20" shy of my goal. Not apologizing or looking for acceptance from strangers on the internet. I set a goal for myself, and I didn't meet that goal. That's how it goes sometimes. Disappointed in myself, especially since I saw so many big bucks and had lots of time left to hunt, but also thankful to have my health and opportunity to go on the hunt. Speaking of health, tested positive for the ol' Covid on 11/11/2021. Doing well, just lingering dry cough, same symptoms I had in Mar 2020, when I'm 90% sure I had it that time (didn't get tested then, tests were much harder to come by).

Anyway, Iowa deer hunting lives up to the hype, even if I don't. I'll be back to Iowa in 5 or 6 years to try again.

IA Buck 2.PNG

IA Buck.PNG

[Jackson Marsh]

Congrats seaz!

[john1984]

Congrats on the Dink

[hunting_dad]

Congrats seaz! Sounds like you were in them and had a fun hunt. I understand missing the goal but that’s a pretty good deer and a great experience. Congrats again

[backstraps]

Congrats Seaz! Man sounds like you had a great time

[Tim H]

Congratulations Jeremy! That’s a great buck anywhere and sounds like you made awesome memories!

[Boogieman1]

Congrats! Sounds like it was well worth the trip

[Matt Gill]

Congrats on a successful hunt!

[Chuck B]

Sounds like a VERY fun hunt!

[Bonecrusher101]

Congrats cheese!

[hunter_mike]

nice write up of some great hunting! Congrats !

[Dewey]

Congrats Seaz.

Nothing wrong with that buck. Ending that hunting trip on a high note after wounding one earlier is what’s important. You can always meet your goals with your next tag. You filled your first Iowa tag and that’s something to be proud of. I ate my tag last year so it can always be worse.

[Kokes]

sounds like an awesome trip Seaz congrats on a fine buck

was it tough getting that buck out of the woods?

[Moose]

congrats

[greenhorndave]

Congrats!

Ground shrinkage sucks, but that’s still a nice buck.