Frequently Asked Questions
What does hunting land cost per acre in Iowa?
Based on regional land sales data, the best hunting land in the southern counties sells for 4000 to 8000 dollars per acre if it mixes thick creek woods with farm fields. Properties in famous big buck counties like Ringgold, Decatur, Wayne and Davis sell at the absolute top of that range. Iowa hunting land costs way more than similar land right across the border in Missouri because the strict Iowa tag system guarantees there will be big deer in the woods. If you lease your Iowa land to other hunters, you can easily charge 15 to 35 dollars per acre every year, which is some of the highest rent in the Midwest and really helps pay the mortgage.
What turkey hunting does Iowa offer on private land?
According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the state has incredible spring wild turkey hunting in April and May, and usually ranks in the top ten states for the most birds killed. The best hunting is down in the heavily wooded southern counties and along the big rivers out east. You can also hunt turkeys in the fall with a bow or a gun, but you are only allowed to shoot one bird per license year. Because turkeys need the exact same woods and farm fields that big deer need the absolute best deer hunting properties in southern Iowa also happen to be the absolute best turkey hunting properties.
What other wildlife can be hunted on Iowa recreational land?
According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, dove hunting is huge every September because the massive grain fields pull in thousands of migrating birds. Pheasant hunting took a massive hit over the last twenty years but the birds are finally bouncing back in the northern counties that have tall prairie grass. If you want to shoot ducks, the flooded bottoms along the Missouri River in the west and the Mississippi River in the east offer fantastic hunting when the birds migrate south. You can also hunt raccoons, coyotes and rabbits all winter long, which is a huge tradition for rural landowners.
