Scouting Southern Iowa
Contributors to this thread:Whitetail Deer
From: 160andup
08-Feb-20
Looking to make a trip out to southern Iowa this spring for a couple days of speed scouting in preparation for pulling a tag this fall. How are the woods typically around the first week of April? Hoping to time it so there’s no snow, but there isn’t vegetation growing yet. Any input?
From: t-roy
08-Feb-20
Unless you get a freak snowstorm, there shouldn’t be any snow on the ground to contend with. Should be starting to green up some, but not enough to make your scouting efforts difficult. FYI....Spring turkey season starts on April 8th. Might be able to combine a scouting trip with a turkey hunt. Turkey tags are on a draw, but many times you can purchase leftover tags. It’s generally not nearly as difficult to get permission to turkey hunt vs deer.
From: Ollie
08-Feb-20
Very dependent on weather and how much snow cover has to melt. It can be very muddy in fields with poor driving on back roads. Some years it is just fine. Might be a good idea to ask much closer to when you plan to go.
From: midwest
09-Feb-20
A very early turk season this year! First week of April would be a great time to scout.
From: Cheesehead Mike
09-Feb-20
A few years ago it was a very mild winter and I went down and scouted a couple weekends in February. It was great scouting because the ground was bare and sign was very visible but the bucks were still carrying their antlers so no sheds.
From: MQQSE
09-Feb-20
They are starting to drop antlers but many still have both sides. I like March the best since you can really find a lot of antlers if you time it right.
From: map1
09-Feb-20
Ticks may be bad in April
From: Scooby-doo
09-Feb-20
Do people really worry about ticks? I would think scouting would be great thattime of year. Just greening up, the chance to find sheds and the really cold weather will be gone!! Better to scout anytime than not to scout at all! Shawn
From: 160andup
10-Feb-20
Thanks guys. Looking like it’s going to have to be maybe even the second week of April (work schedule). Hoping it’s not too green by then. Just looking to narrow down some stands and get a lay of the land before I pull this long awaited tag.
From: t-roy
10-Feb-20
Are you hunting public, or do you have some private land lined up? (If you don’t mind saying)
From: Pyrannah
10-Feb-20
Pre scouting is awesome but my buddy and I did just fine scouting aerial then boots once we got out there...
I hope you have an awesome hunt... iowa is special