Post by hgunhtr on Jan 11, 2024 11:40:43 GMT -5
Iowa late season is officially over. I would consider it dismal at best for opportunities at deer but, overall, a success. Our weather was unseasonably warm with not much snow until the last few days of season. Cold temps and snow cover put the deer on a bed to food pattern that can be fairly predictable. It also tends to keep fair weather hunters inside. My son Brad and I rely on public land for our deer hunting so pressure from other hunters either perusing deer or pheasants, is a major factor of natural deer movement. with mild temps and lack of snow, bird hunters have been afield all season.
If anyone has ever watched the outdoor channel, they will know about the huge Iowa bucks. Contrary to popular belief there is not a 140" whitetail behind every tree.
We normally see a few big deer during our late season, however I only spotted one on private land next to public. Brad didn't see any trophy bucks at all. With only a few days left of season and wanting to put a couple deer in the freezer, Brad and I decided to fill tags with mature deer 1.5 old or better if possible, on the last day if it is brown it is down.
January 8, I took a mature doe out of a group of 4 with a bolt action Striker chambered in 358 Winchester. This was the first year that bottle neck cartridges have been legal in a handgun and they have to be .357 Dia or larger. Who knows, it may be the first in Iowa history but no way of knowing. Doesn't matter but cool just the same.
On Jan 9 Brad shot a 5 pt 1.5 year old buck at 28 yards with his SS Ruger sbh 3.75" 44 mag putting an end to the season.
All whining aside we were able to hunt the entire season with hopes of filling with a big whitetail buck with our handguns and in the end put some meat in the freezer. Big bucks still roam in our "up north area" of Iowa and next year is another chance at an Iowa giant with handguns.
If anyone has ever watched the outdoor channel, they will know about the huge Iowa bucks. Contrary to popular belief there is not a 140" whitetail behind every tree.
We normally see a few big deer during our late season, however I only spotted one on private land next to public. Brad didn't see any trophy bucks at all. With only a few days left of season and wanting to put a couple deer in the freezer, Brad and I decided to fill tags with mature deer 1.5 old or better if possible, on the last day if it is brown it is down.
January 8, I took a mature doe out of a group of 4 with a bolt action Striker chambered in 358 Winchester. This was the first year that bottle neck cartridges have been legal in a handgun and they have to be .357 Dia or larger. Who knows, it may be the first in Iowa history but no way of knowing. Doesn't matter but cool just the same.
On Jan 9 Brad shot a 5 pt 1.5 year old buck at 28 yards with his SS Ruger sbh 3.75" 44 mag putting an end to the season.
All whining aside we were able to hunt the entire season with hopes of filling with a big whitetail buck with our handguns and in the end put some meat in the freezer. Big bucks still roam in our "up north area" of Iowa and next year is another chance at an Iowa giant with handguns.
