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Iowa Scouting Trip July/August 2022/Sept

The scrapes are now being hit hard and during day lite hours. When new scrapes show up and concentrated in a given area your in for a show. I set up on a new set of scrapes after scouting an entry point I haven’t been thru in a mouth. I sprayed the scrapes and put smokies orbital on the overhanging branch and got this picture 2 hours laterF6DF09B1-C76D-4888-8355-CBB89F39F8E9.jpeg
 

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If you read this message from last nite I removed it…I’m not a complainer and that’s what the message really sounded like…I’m heading back to state ground and take a loss here on the Iowa lease..probably will be heading home to Michigan in a few days for sure…Iowa just wasn’t a good experience this time around…alls I can say is trust in yourself and stay away from doing business with people in the industry wanting to lease you hunting rights…
 
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Update…Well Iowa bowhunting has kicked my @ss so far this season. I’ve had dogs running deer, Nieghbor’s hunting the rear portion of the property, while active scrapes have been abandoned all together. Also this lease property has way to many coyotes,,,every nite they sound off in every direction. I’ve been here a month with the exception of a few days and have logged many hours on stand. To be honest there isn’t a resident mature buck on this farm…I-was shown pictures of a lot of mature bucks to generate the deal…not one of these so called bucks have showed up on 11 cameras I have out. There’s plenty of Michigan yearlings running the hills here in Iowa and an occasional 2yr old. The gentleman I signed the lease deal with says the older bucks show up when the rut kicks in. Look I wasn’t born last nite - if a property doesn’t hold a good number of resident older bucks your odds of shooting one is just about zero in my opinion. Bucks need to live there and be actively part of the social structure. I’ve captured more mature buck pictures on state ground compared to our private lease. Ya we’ve captured a few nice buck pictures here and there but they have never show up again…what’s your opinion guys before I make the next move
How is the weather treating you.
It absolutely sucks here this week. H pressure parked to the east is pumping warm southerly air up our way. Days will be around 70 this week and the nights will be in the upper 40s or 50s. That sucks for daylight rut movement.
When we were in Iowa 2 years ago we had the same situation...H system to the east. Whe had daytime high tems aound 80 for our 10 day November hunt. It sucked big time. And we were on very good farms. Mother nature can really screw us.
 
How is the weather treating you.
It absolutely sucks here this week. H pressure parked to the east is pumping warm southerly air up our way. Days will be around 70 this week and the nights will be in the upper 40s or 50s. That sucks for daylight rut movement.
When we were in Iowa 2 years ago we had the same situation...H system to the east. Whe had daytime high tems aound 80 for our 10 day November hunt. It sucked big time. And we were on very good farms. Mother nature can really screw us.
Ya although l love hunting eastern weather fronts it’s been warm and limited buck movement. A good indicator is the bucks you capture during nite time hours. Those bucks always show themselves So you learn what’s in and around your hunting location…but when bucks aren’t showing up at all during nite hours something is amiss
 
Ya although l love hunting eastern weather fronts it’s been warm and limited buck movement. A good indicator is the bucks you capture during nite time hours. Those bucks always show themselves So you learn what’s in and around your hunting location…but when bucks aren’t showing up at all during nite hours something is amiss
Really sucks to wait years acquiring Iowa points and when you finally got enough to draw a tag, mother nature decides to make rut conditions miserable during that ever so short phase of the rut that we wait for every year.
 
Really sucks to wait years acquiring Iowa points and when you finally got enough to draw a tag, mother nature decides to make rut conditions miserable during that ever so short phase of the rut that we wait for every year.
Really sucks to wait years acquiring Iowa points and when you finally got enough to draw a tag, mother nature decides to make rut conditions miserable during that ever so short phase of the rut that we wait for every year.
ya been out this morning and haven’t seen a deer yet. Heck all the 2.5 yr olds I’ve passed up this month here makes me wonder…should I have put the smack down on one. Well the weather is warm and the rut will surcumb to a twinkle of what it should be. I’ve had a great time here but I bellieve it’s the end of the line for me here in Iowa..when your looking from centerfield and everything is happening around home plate you’ve got to wonder where home plate is during these conditions. As a seasoned bow hunter this aspect has always left me with no answers
 
ya been out this morning and haven’t seen a deer yet. Heck all the 2.5 yr olds I’ve passed up this month here makes me wonder…should I have put the smack down on one. Well the weather is warm and the rut will surcumb to a twinkle of what it should be. I’ve had a great time here but I bellieve it’s the end of the line for me here in Iowa..when your looking from centerfield and everything is happening around home plate you’ve got to wonder where home plate is during these conditions. As a seasoned bow hunter this aspect has always left me with no answers
When things aren't going well I often ask myself if I should have lowered my self imposed standards and shot a sub par buck. But I know from past experience that when I'm tagging such a buck I feel like I let myself down. It's never satisfying to kill a buck out of frustration. Sometimes things just don't work out. It makes it all the better when the hunt is good. Cherish it when it happens because this game ain't easy and I'm glad that bowhunting whitetails is not a slam dunk.
I feel your pain. This is my last week to hunt a good piece of Ohio private. Been on here since 1996 but the place is going up for sale. I'd hoped to have one last hunt here to be epic but mother nature threw temps averaging 20 degrees above normal. I passed a nice 3 year old 8 pt yesterday.
I don't regret it.
 
How is the weather treating you.
It absolutely sucks here this week. H pressure parked to the east is pumping warm southerly air up our way. Days will be around 70 this week and the nights will be in the upper 40s or 50s. That sucks for daylight rut movement.
When we were in Iowa 2 years ago we had the same situation...H system to the east. Whe had daytime high tems aound 80 for our 10 day November hunt. It sucked big time. And we were on very good farms. Mother nature can really screw us.
I was hunting Iowa too in 2020 and that first week of November was brutal with temps. Really shut down daylight movement. Luckily I was there for 3 weeks so had better weather to work with outside that week. If that was my only week it would have been a major disappointment. I went 3 days straight during the first week of November not seeing any deer movement. In NE Iowa that’s unheard of.

In 2016 I killed my profile buck in Iowa. Same situation with extremely warm temps the first week of November but I still killed that buck on a 70 degree day with great rut movement so you just never know. Gotta put in the time and keep your head in the game. Not much else you can do.

I’ll be dealing with the same crazy warm temps this week except I won’t be in Iowa. Seems this is becoming the norm lately. Sure could use a nice cold N-NW wind for a change. Never seen so many south winds in a season.
 
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If you read this message from last nite I removed it…I’m not a complainer and that’s what the message really sounded like…I’m heading back to state ground and take a loss here on the Iowa lease..probably will be heading home to Michigan in a few days for sure…Iowa just wasn’t a good experience this time around…alls I can say is trust in yourself and stay away from doing business with people in the industry wanting to lease you hunting rights…
Any chance you can go back later? Mid-late November can be excellent for mature bucks searching far and wide for those last remaining does to breed. Seen some whoppers killed during that timeframe in Iowa. My last trip ended mid-November just as things were heating up. In hindsight I would focus on the first 3 weeks of November in the future and skip that last week of October.
 
Any chance you can go back later? Mid-late November can be excellent for mature bucks searching far and wide for those last remaining does to breed. Seen some whoppers killed during that timeframe in Iowa. My last trip ended mid-November just as things were heating up. In hindsight I would focus on the first 3 weeks of November in the future and skip that last week of October.
Yes I've always had good luck around thanksgiving in my part of Iowa too
 
Well guys When I look back at all the pre season scouting and observed many bucks on state and private…that was fun and enjoyable. Took plenty of good film and pictures what a blessing. On the other hand, My brother tells me I’m wrong and the bucks are there, well 11 cameras on 355 acres paints another story. In my years of hunting I will categorize properties as pass thrus or buck bonanzas. I believe the rut still happens but it’s a watered down version. I wish I could come back but I don’t believe it’s fair to my wife being away for an entire month already. The people who leased me the property provided a slew of mega buck pictures but not a single one of those bucks ever showed up on camera. I don’t like being played like a fool but we always have to be conscious of the fact there’s great deceivers in this leasing industry and they bank on the Iowa name to scam you. I have never been a complainer when it comes to deer hunting because most can’t do what I do regarding deer hunting. That’s why I’ve always shared my knowledge and tactics. When I worked for QDMA I had a board member tell me one time he had the power to ruin anyones career by a simple phone call. That told me there’s people in this world who can’t play fair. They only want to win. Winning in the deer woods is all about challenges and some are easy and some are tuff. Had I’d not lease this property my season might have been different…I was sold a bill of goods and I was on the receiving end of deception. These two fellas - one from Wisconsin and the other from Iowa will either come clean or suffer the legal consequences in restitution and reputation. Like I mentioned earlier when your out in centerfield bleacher’s and all the action is happening at home plate your never in the game if you can’t adjust to buck patterns, travel routes, and bedding. I pride myself on narrowing down a game plan on a resident buck - let me remind you if there isn’t resident bucks on a given property your better off buying a lottery ticket and staying home sitting on the couch. An Iowa tag isn’t a lottery ticket - it’s a pathway to observing natures finest in the deer woods and I mean everything associated with deer behaviors. In Michigan you’ll rarely see does open up scrapes before the bucks - rarely see a 4yr old buck or older, My 2022 experience here in Iowa has been greatly satisfied and after suffering a bad heart attach last October 20th while out hunting I’m so appreciative my doctor help get me back into shape…I lost weight and my blood pressure is awesome. Just being back in the game at my age is a wonderful feeling. I don’t have anyone else my age with the desire or determination to get out in the deer woods. Some think I’m overboard with deer hunting - so be it - I don’t drink, smoke, gamble or any other weakness the world is serving. Alls I know is those relatives who brought me into the hunting sports created a bond only some understand. A fellowship with those who love the sport and the fellowship that goes along with it
May the Magic of the Whitetail
forever Enrich Your Life
Silvio
 
Well guys When I look back at all the pre season scouting and observed many bucks on state and private…that was fun and enjoyable. Took plenty of good film and pictures what a blessing. On the other hand, My brother tells me I’m wrong and the bucks are there, well 11 cameras on 355 acres paints another story. In my years of hunting I will categorize properties as pass thrus or buck bonanzas. I believe the rut still happens but it’s a watered down version. I wish I could come back but I don’t believe it’s fair to my wife being away for an entire month already. The people who leased me the property provided a slew of mega buck pictures but not a single one of those bucks ever showed up on camera. I don’t like being played like a fool but we always have to be conscious of the fact there’s great deceivers in this leasing industry and they bank on the Iowa name to scam you. I have never been a complainer when it comes to deer hunting because most can’t do what I do regarding deer hunting. That’s why I’ve always shared my knowledge and tactics. When I worked for QDMA I had a board member tell me one time he had the power to ruin anyones career by a simple phone call. That told me there’s people in this world who can’t play fair. They only want to win. Winning in the deer woods is all about challenges and some are easy and some are tuff. Had I’d not lease this property my season might have been different…I was sold a bill of goods and I was on the receiving end of deception. These two fellas - one from Wisconsin and the other from Iowa will either come clean or suffer the legal consequences in restitution and reputation. Like I mentioned earlier when your out in centerfield bleacher’s and all the action is happening at home plate your never in the game if you can’t adjust to buck patterns, travel routes, and bedding. I pride myself on narrowing down a game plan on a resident buck - let me remind you if there isn’t resident bucks on a given property your better off buying a lottery ticket and staying home sitting on the couch. An Iowa tag isn’t a lottery ticket - it’s a pathway to observing natures finest in the deer woods and I mean everything associated with deer behaviors. In Michigan you’ll rarely see does open up scrapes before the bucks - rarely see a 4yr old buck or older, My 2022 experience here in Iowa has been greatly satisfied and after suffering a bad heart attach last October 20th while out hunting I’m so appreciative my doctor help get me back into shape…I lost weight and my blood pressure is awesome. Just being back in the game at my age is a wonderful feeling. I don’t have anyone else my age with the desire or determination to get out in the deer woods. Some think I’m overboard with deer hunting - so be it - I don’t drink, smoke, gamble or any other weakness the world is serving. Alls I know is those relatives who brought me into the hunting sports created a bond only some understand. A fellowship with those who love the sport and the fellowship that goes along with it
May the Magic of the Whitetail
forever Enrich Your Life
Silvio
God bless you.
 
I have a few cameras out on a decent size chunk of public land that is in zone 9. I usually move there from the private spot I have once the rut gets going, but I have a giant in my private spot, so I'm going to focus my efforts there this year. If you're interested and agree to keep my area to yourself, I could give you some info on it. I could try to make it out this week to check what's on the cameras.

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Thank you very much…but I’m going to head to French Creek here today and get a half day in up there…thanks for the offer…I really appreciate it
 
My buddy has a 300 acre farm in a really good area. He shoots big ones almost every year. In the 10 years he's been there, 3 or 4 of his bucks have been new bucks he never had pictures of, and they've been late October, maybe early November kills. I always give him a hard time when he complains about not having anything worth shooting on camera and tell him that's when he shoots his biggest. He has his farm pretty nailed down and has 10-15 cameras. Granted, he'll have 130s/140s and not count them as anything good.

Just because they aren't on your cameras, doesn't mean they aren't at the neighbors property. It's been warm lately and the rut is just getting going.

I just picked up a giant for the first time oct 24th and 25th. Granted I only have ~ 6 cameras out.

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If you're questioning validity of pictures, it should be pretty easy to verify photo date and have them take you to the location to verify the photo backdrop in person.

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Only you can decide what is best for you and for your family, and it is you that has the first hand experience with that property. I can hear the frustration in your texts. But Iowa is very different than most other places. A giant can travel miles for a good population of breeding does. Plus some of us in the saddle hunting community are living vicariously thru you at this point as you are hunting in Iowa. Lol.
Thankfully that you have this choice and may God bless which ever you choose.
 
My buddy has a 300 acre farm in a really good area. He shoots big ones almost every year. In the 10 years he's been there, 3 or 4 of his bucks have been new bucks he never had pictures of, and they've been late October, maybe early November kills. I always give him a hard time when he complains about not having anything worth shooting on camera and tell him that's when he shoots his biggest. He has his farm pretty nailed down and has 10-15 cameras. Granted, he'll have 130s/140s and not count them as anything good.

Just because they aren't on your cameras, doesn't mean they aren't at the neighbors property. It's been warm lately and the rut is just getting going.

I just picked up a giant for the first time oct 24th and 25th. Granted I only have ~ 6 cameras out.

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The story of Issachar…I learned a lesson here for sure about cameras your absolutely right. Don’t have time for the story but will load something tomorrow105304C1-276E-4EC8-9FE8-FA6419245216.jpeg
 
Well here’s the humbling story regarding Issachar. Nov 1st I didn’t go out for an all day sit, in fact, I was headed to state ground for a mid day to dark sit until I talked with my brother on the phone that morning about going back to my lease property. Well he convinced me to let the rut activity to kick in and the bucks would be up cruising looking for does. He was convinced that even though we had 11 cell cameras out the bucks just weren’t walking thru those areas. Well placing them on scrapes and around there bedding areas has always produced for me. The great lesson I can tell you is I will never put so much trust in generating buck pictures ever again. Basically he told me to set up on some scrapes I found and head out early for a long sit. So that’s what I did. When I got to our lease property 12:30am the farmer was combining the corn and I drove my ebike down to the spot where I was going to walk into a large piece of hardwoods. When the farmer got really near to me in the combine he stopped and said theres a big buck right here in the corn - so I said where and he pointed his finger to the corn right in front of me. I grabbed my bow off the bike and ran down along the edge of the corn and all I saw was a good buck standing there thinking he was hid - I just instinctively drew my bow put on the goody box I let it go. The buck went a short distance and was down for the count, the farmer and I walked over and when I looked at his rack I couldn’t believe it was my Target buck Issachar - I yelled out his rightful name and the farmer said what’s that- I explained it’s a biblical name. While we were talking I mention the lack of resident bucks and he looked at me and said well things don’t get started until Nov around here and it’s been that way since he could remember. This ravine travels over 10 miles so bucks have bigger roaming territory’s than I’m use to hunting. Our conversation opened up a different point of view compared to hunting AG properties back home. These deep ravines and topography give these deer many routes to and from one area to the Nxt. I hunted most of the month of October and never laid eyes on Issachar. But he was there living right under my nose hiding. I believe my frustration these last 10 days was because I trusted the intel off the cameras more than anything else. Cameras are a tool but there not the panicea either. Really though it’s not how I thought I would ever shoot that buck but God serves it up the way he wants it. 037CEE64-C64C-4C3D-9A84-F4E2B713A375.jpeg54601947-6BB6-44E6-9412-940A51E706B8.jpeg
He’s 23.5 inches wide and the bonus was that the nite of celebration one of the Nieghbor’s gave me his 2.5 yr left side shed I’m so thankful this season God is GoodF5603F4D-48A4-492D-A26A-DEDC3154A50C.jpeg
 
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