CEDAR RIVER COMPLEX
Muzzleloaders who follow the Cedar River north of Cedar Rapids will encounter several thousand acres in Linn County under both state and county ownership that are ripe for harvesting late season whitetail, according to IDNR wildlife biologist Tim Thompson. Those acres are collectively known as the Cedar River complex. The area’s varied and dense habitat structure provides opportunities for bucks to develop some nice-sized racks. Thompson says there’s a decent population of whitetails here with wall-hanging potential.

“The public areas have some cropland but most of it is bottomland with willows, cottonwood and silver maples,” said Thompson. “Some of the areas like the Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area do have walnut and oak trees.”

Bottomland areas within the Cedar River complex that are worthy of attention include the Chain-O-Lakes WMA and the Wickiup Hill and Goose Pond natural areas.

Access is varied, and good topographic maps are worth packing in. Blackpowder enthusiasts might find another hunter or two on the area but generally will find that congestion isn’t a problem.

Thompson has found that some good blackpowder hunting can be had on the surrounding private lands as well. With rural housing on the rise in the county, some landowners are complaining about damage to the landscaping and refusing shotgunners permission to hunt. Thompson has convinced a lot of the private landowners that since blackpowder hunters only get one shot they’re generally careful about making it a safe and accurate one. This has opened up new opportunities for hunters in the area, and those willing to knock on a few doors can target both the public and nearby private lands.

Certain sections are closed to hunting; watch for the signs. For additional information, contact the Coralville unit at (319) 354-8343.

RIVERTON WMA
The deer action is great at this 2,721-acre tract in Fremont County. Muzzleloaders here will find a solid population of bucks and a lot of antlerless deer.

“The old established portion of the area north of 250th Street will provide the best hunting opportunities,” said IDNR wildlife biologist Carl Priebe. “The floodplain area receives more deer hunting pressure than the uplands, but deer are abundant throughout the area.”

Aerial photos of the Riverton area are available in a box outside the headquarters office located in the northeastern section of the WMA. These maps will help in determining where the deer are likely to be in thick cover and the routes they may be using. About half the area consists of wetland habitat that provides good wintering cover to which hunters should give serious consideration. Upland fields and brush and timber round out the habitat options.

The interior section of Riverton is probably the best bet to hunt this time of the year. Deer will be somewhat scattered and spooked after the shotgun season, and finding patterns and trails will require some woodsmanship.

Riverton is near the center of Fremont County, two miles north of Riverton on county Route L68. Contact the Riverton unit at (712) 374-3133 for more information.