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Iowa Whitetail Deer Hunting

Dan Lyter took this 180 plus monster in Iowa in 2009

IMB Outfitters offers trophy whitetail deer hunting in Zone 5 of Iowa. Iowa is without doubt the heavyweight of Midwestern Whitetail States. Iowa ranks as the #2, State in the Nation according to the Pope and Young Record Books. nterestingly enough this state ranks as #2, but hands out the fewest whitetail tags of any state with the exception of Kansas. Imagine the statement, “2nd Fewest tags available, 2rd best State in the Nation.” Darrin Bradley, Owner IMB Outfitters, states, “If you pursue 160 inch plus bucks you must hunt Iowa.” Early in record book recordings the State of Iowa boasted of record book entries from its Northeastern regions of Zones 1 and 2 but all that has changed. The quality whitetail herd is now found predominantly in the South Central and South Eastern portion of the State known as Zone 5. This is where we are located and it is also home to the new World Record Lowenstein Buck. Simply put, if your not hunting Zone 5 of Iowa, your not hunting in Iowa in the opinion of IMB Owner, Darrin Bradley.

Firearms Hunts: The State of Iowa limits firearm hunters to shotgun or muzzleloader only. No rifles are allowed. While this may discourage the booking of gun hunts by some sportsmen, it is common knowledge that these same limitations may be the chief reason for the existence of trophy bucks in this state. Simply put, when you limit hunters to shotgun or muzzleloader you limit the distances they are able to shoot. In turn by doing so, deer live longer as they are more difficult to harvest. All this equals longer life spans and larger racks. The firearms tags are obtained through a lenient lottery process in May which IMB Outfitters will assist you with. The Iowa Firearm Lottery has yielded an estimated 85% tag obtainment success rate. Although tags are NOT a guarantee they are relatively easy to obtain. The 1st Gun Season in 2011 is December 3rd through December 6th. The 2nd Gun Season is December 10th through December 13th.

Archery Hunts:
Iowa presents some of the best archery hunting in the world for trophy whitetails. In 2008 our archers sported a 217% trophy buck shot success rate. (true!) Bowtags are difficult to obtain for 1st year applicants. Normally it is a two year process. Usually the first year you apply for a tag in May you are denied and awarded a preference point. Most often times when the applicant applies the 2nd year he or she obtains the tag. IMB Outfitters suggests you book two years in advance for an Iowa Archery hunt. Another common booking by hunters is the hunter will book in Missouri, Illinois, or Nebraska during their first year with IMB Outfitters. We will help you obtain your Iowa preference point so you may return to hunt the following year in Iowa with IMB Outfitters. It’s a hunt well worth the wait. The archery season runs from October 1 to January 15, but wise hunters don’t waste a Iowa archery tag on a non-rut hunt.

Muzzleloader Hunts:

Iowa offers a muzzleloader only hunt. In 2011, Muzzleloader only hunters may choose any 3 days between the dates of December 28 to January 10 for hunting with muzzleloader only. The tag is obtained in a lenient lottery process occurring in May. These hunts are very successful but can prove to be brutally cold with temps hovering around 10 degrees at certain times.

Chris Calderone took this 160 plus Iowa monster buck in 2009 on the 2nd Gun hunt in Iowa

Success Rates: We calculate success rates by dividing the number of trophy bucks opportunities reported by our hunters, by the number of hunters we take each year in that particular state. During the 2008 season we presented a trophy buck shot success rate in Iowa of 168%. Any rate in excess of 100% implies we offered more shot opportunities at trophy bucks than the number of hunters that visited us during that season. NOTE: No promise or guaranteed shots at trophy bucks are made by IMB Outfitters.

Iowa Location: Our Iowa deer hunting is located in Promise City, Iowa 45 miles southeast of Des Moines, Iowa. The closest airport would be Des Moines, Iowa. A friendly airport located within an hour of our lodgesite. Those traveling by motor vehicle may travel to our trip information page for a detailed map.

Iowa Lodge: In Promise City, Iowa the Swann Lodge is a newly erected facility in 2009, which has all the amenities needed to make your stay a pleasant one. Lodge owner Marvin Swann and his family will make you feel like you are one of the family. The Swans operated a local restaurant prior to having the lodge and you are sure to get some of the best “Down Home Cooking”.

In Iowa we offer fully guided hunts of your choice at the following cost per hunter for the Iowa hunt of your choice.