Munkel points out that the best opportunities in terms of deer numbers and trophy potential are on private lands, and the closer you can get to them, the better. In general, western Adair County has great deer habitat, with good numbers of whitetails and the ever-present potential for trophy-class bucks. If a hunter’s looking to fill a freezer, this public-access WMA is definitely worth checking out.

Adair is uncharacteristically block-shaped, which makes staying on public property easier. Good places to set up in include the edges of woods near the adjoining private properties along the perimeter.

“Doing some scouting can pay dividends in both trophy-class and venison for the table,” said Munkel.

Adair is two and a half miles west of Fontanelle on Highway 92. For more information, contact the Bays Branch Unit at (641) 332-2019.

LOESS HILLS STATE FOREST
“For bowhunting, I recommend the Loess Hills State Forest and the Loess Hills Wildlife Management Area,” said biologist Ed Weiner. “These areas offer a large volume of unique habitat and many acres of public hunting that interface with parcels of privately owned land. More land is being added to the public acreage as we go to increase hunting opportunities.”

Management practices include leased agricultural crops to provide food and nesting areas for wildlife in general, but the deer are particularly benefited. Deer numbers are strong, and the potential for trophy animals is as high as it is anywhere in the state.

According to Weiner, the comparative isolation of much of the Loess Hills forest makes it possible to experience a top-quality hunt any time during the open deer season with limited interference from other hunters.

The steep terrain and narrow valleys pretty much eliminate the traditional deer-driving techniques that will work well elsewhere. In this territory, the lone hunter can do well, and it just might be the best way to go.

“Success for a quality hunt will depend on the degree of scouting,” said Weiner. “As always, pre-season scouting is an important element of the hunt. Part of that is taking advantage of the online aerial photos and printable topographic maps that are available on the DNR Web site. You can do a lot of pre-scouting right from your home computer.”

Additional information is available from the Missouri River Unit at (712) 423-2426.

WATERMAN PRAIRIE COMPLEX
“The Big Sioux Wildlife Unit in northwestern Iowa flew the aerial deer surveys and the numbers of deer for 2007 are about the same as last year’s results,” said Chris LaRue, the area wildlife biologist. “However, numbers are lower than in past years in the open areas, and hunting pressure is high. It can be a challenge for a bowhunter to take a mature buck from public land.”

LaRue noted that the Waterman complex near Peterson in southeast O’Brien County is a top archery destination. Several tracts of state and county lands are open to hunting and hold some nice deer.

“The rolling topography and prime habitat along the Little Sioux River Valley has produced some quality whitetails,” said LaRue. “The Big Sioux River has good bowhunting access on public lands and is almost a refuge between Iowa and South Dakota. The terrain is rough and rolling and home to some trophy-class deer.”

The Waterman Prairie Complex is an area where hunters will be able to see the results of the IDNR’s deer management goals.

For more information, contact the Big Sioux Wildlife Unit at (712) 336-3524.