SE Iowa

Huntrdad

New member
Heading to SE Iowa in November. Going to be staying in Keokuk County. Any recommendations on public ground? We have access to some private ground but may be looking to supplement. Thanks!
 
I think most, if not all the state, has received adequate rain this year, so the IHAP (public access CRP) should be good this year. With the recent drought conditions much of this has been hayed in past years.
 
Would recommend hunting the public ground during the week and save your private access for Saturday/Sunday. There are birds around that area for sure.
 
I am 59 and just got my first bird dog last year. A wire haired, pointing Griffon. I live in Morgantown and have been hunting stocked birds in Pennsylvania. I only have a couple days to attempt my first wild pheasant hunt out west. I’m looking at coming out November 17th and 18th or 24th and 25th I’ve been looking at the bird numbers on pheasants forever. It appears south east Iowa near Wapello would be the best and closest to me. It’s about 8 Hours away. I have been looking at the Odessa wildlife area and the DeVol wildlife area and staying at a hotel in muscatine. I would truly appreciate any insight or recommendations? Thank you.
 
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Iowa has a handy public hunting viewer Iowa Hunting Atlas. Or if you have OnX it shows the same information and property ownership.
Iowa does an annual roadside survey and the numbers look pretty good this year.
Thank you very much! I’ve been looking at the roadside survey on pheasants forever. That’s where I got the idea to come to South East Iowa near Wapello. Looking to hunt public property this time. I only have a couple days and do not have time to knock on doors to ask permission.
 
I've never hunted that region, but those numbers seem way higher than what I've heard from that area. But it's better than where I'm at.
 
How are things so far in the Keokuk County area? Heading out there in 10 days and wondered about the birds, the crops, and the weather. Thanks!
 
I haven’t made it to Iowa yet. My plans have changed. I’m now going to hunt the north west corner. In particular Clay and Palo Alto County. I spoke to a DNR officer from the Wapello area. He suggested that since I’m driving that far I might as well go five hours more to Clay and Palo Alto County where the birds are a lot better. I booked a hotel in Spencer. My plan is to hunt the Berringer Slough and Dan Green Slough in Clay County the first day. Then Dewey‘s pasture and Smith Slough in Palo Alto County the second day.
 
I live in Morgantown West Virginia. I will be coming out with my year and a half old wire hair, pointing Griffon. My wife may tag along for the ride but she does not hunt. This is my first bird dog and will be my first trip out west. We have been hunting stocked birds in Pennsylvania.
 
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