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 #3, State in the Nation according to the Pope and Young Record Books. Interestingly enough this state ranks as #3, but hands out the fewest whitetail tags of any state with the exception of Kansas. Imagine the statement, “2nd Fewest tags available, 3rd 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 2008 is December 6th through December 9th. The 2nd Gun Season is December 14th through December 17th. These hunts in 2007 were foiled by heavy ice storms which may represent lower success rates on the success rates page, but it was an oddity. Even in the heavy ice storms of 2007, we posted great success rates and put down some Boone and Crockett bucks.

Archery Hunts: Iowa presents some of the best archery hunting in the world for trophy whitetails. In 2007 our archers sported a 135% 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 2008, 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. 
      

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 2006 season we presented a trophy buck shot success rate in Iowa of 200%. 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 we are erecting a brand new facility for the 2008 season which shall feature a fine establishment with a multitude of amenities.