| Iowa and Missouri produce some excellent whitetail bucks, especially in the area where this outfitter operates along the border. He has leases on about 18,000 acres of private land composed of approximately 35 farms. Hunting is limited to shotgun, muzzleloader and archery in Iowa, but you can hunt with a rifle in Missouri. These are fair-chase hunts, so the deer are free to roam off and on the land he leases.
The outfitter accommodates his clientele in a former motel that has been converted into a bunkhouse. Each bunkhouse room has a separate bathroom and there is a central lounge with cable TV. He puts most of his hunters in tree stands. If the deer aren't moving on their own in warm weather, he and his guides will put on drives in an attempt to get the deer moving. Typically you'll see deer every day, mostly does and small bucks, and then there are a few mature bucks. The biggest bucks score in the 150s to 170s Boone and Crockett, and they are outnumbered by bucks in the 120s, 130s and 140s. These bucks are not stupid game-ranch deer, so the more experienced hunters usually do better.
A bowhunting customer took this buck.
The outfitter owns a former motel that he has converted into a bunkhouse. Each room has its own bathroom.
The bunkhouse features a central dining/lounge area.
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| Hunt |
Price |
| 5-day Iowa muzzleloader or shotgun |
$2,100 |
| Missouri bow |
$1,500 |
| 5-day Iowa bow |
$1,850 |
| 5-day Missouri rifle or muzzleloader |
$2,000 |
| Hunt |
Price |
| Motel converted to a bunkhouse with a lounge. Each room has its own bathroom. Towels and beddding and meals are provided. |
Five full days. Plan to arrive the day before the hunt begins. |
| Seasons |
Travel |
Iowa shotgun hunts are Dec. 6-10 and 13-17. Missouri rifle hunt is Nov. 20-24. Archery hunts are ypically Oct. 1-Dec. 4. Blackpowder is Dec. 21-Jan. 10
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Drive to the lodge or fly to Des Moines or Burlington and rent a car. |
| Tag fees, deadlines |
Legal requirements |
| Missouri archery: $100 (includes tags for a buck, a doe and two turkeys).
Missouri rifle: $125 (includes one tag valid for either-sex if bought before season).
Iowa: Expect to pay $310 for license, stamps and tag.
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Hunters may not use high-powered rifles in Iowa. Shotguns don't need plugs and must be 20 gauge or bigger, but scopes and semiautos are OK. Scoped, in-line muzzleloaders are OK.
A hunters safety certificate is required of hunters born after 12/31/67. Gun hunters must wear Blaze Orange.
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| Deposit |
Acreage |
| The outfitter requires a 50% deposit and holds it until you draw a tag (no drawing necessary on Missouri tags). |
12,000 acres in Missouri, 6,000 in Iowa |
| Hunter success |
Trophy size |
| Typically 70 to 75% during shotgun season in Iowa, 65 to 75% shooting for bowhunters (40 to 50% kill) and 55 to 65% kill rate during rifle season in Missouri. |
Iowa: Average gun kill is in the 150s Boone and Crockett points, biggest are typically 160s to 170s.
Missouri: Average gun kill is in the 140s with best so far scoring in the high 160s.
Bow: Average 140s. |
| Weather |
Minimum size standard |
| Temperatures in Oct. and Nov. range from 20 to 70 degrees. Wind and rain will be your biggest concern. In Dec. and Jan. the weather -10 to 50+ F. with wind, rain, snow, and ice. |
Hunters may not take bucks with fewer than eight points. |
 
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