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Iowa: World-Class Whitetails, Premier Outfitters, and Expert Application Assistance

Eugene Catrambone
|  
  • Eugene Catrambone
Species: Whitetail Deer
Location: Iowa

Iowa stands alone when it comes to trophy-class whitetail hunting. Thanks to a nonresident draw system and carefully managed habitat, the state consistently yields some of the biggest free-range bucks in the nation. WTA TAGS specializes in guiding hunters through Iowa’s draw process and connecting them with the most reputable outfitters in the state. Whether you’ve been building preference points for years or you’re just getting started, now is the perfect time to plan your Iowa whitetail hunt.

  • Deadline to Apply: June 1.
  • Draw Post Date: ~June 13.
  • WTA TAGS Species: Whitetail Deer.
  • Youth: No minimum age.
  • Hunter’s Safety: Required if born after January 1, 1972.
  • Point System: Iowa typically requires 3–5 points for archery and 1–2 points for gun tags, depending on zone. Points are used on first-choice only and are consumed if drawn. If applications exceed license availability, a drawing will determine who gets a tag. Applicants will be notified via email of their draw results prior to the excess license sale.

Iowa Deer Hunting Overview

Iowa offers a tightly regulated and highly productive deer hunting season for nonresidents, structured around limited-draw tags to preserve trophy potential and reduce pressure. The nonresident application deadline is June 1. Seasons include early and late archery splits, two shotgun seasons in December, and late muzzleloader through early January. A valid hunting license, habitat fee, and deer tag are required, and hunters must report their harvests promptly. Recent regulation updates include a requirement to measure main beam length on bucks and adjusted antlerless quotas in select counties. As always, fair chase, ethical conduct, and respect for landowner rights are pillars of Iowa’s deer management strategy.

Premier Iowa Whitetail Outfitters

Through years of experience and strong relationships across the Midwest, WTA TAGS has partnered with some of the most reputable whitetail outfitters in Iowa. Each operation we represent is thoroughly vetted for quality land access, ethical hunting practices, comfortable lodging, and overall client satisfaction. Whether you’re holding out to hunt with your bow during the November rut or looking for an easier draw gun hunt, we offer a range of options to suit your preference points and hunting style. Here are three of our top picks.

Big Bucks Near Brooks, Iowa

Located just southwest of Des Moines near the rural town of Brooks, this family-run operation manages 6,500 acres of unpressured, high-quality whitetail habitat. With a newly-built lodge, delicious home-cooked meals, and an extremely detail-oriented team, this is one of the most enjoyable hunting experiences in the Midwest.

  • Trophy Potential: 150″+ class bucks are the norm and 170–180″ giants are seen annually
  • Lodging: Cozy 3-bedroom lodge with full amenities and satellite TV
  • Archery: Draw with 5 points and hunt the rut in November
  • Shotgun/Muzzleloader: Draw with 2 points for early December or January hunts

Learn More

Chariton, Iowa: Premier Farm Ground in Zone 5

Iowa’s Zone 5 is synonymous with world-class whitetails and this outfitter has exclusive access to 3,750 contiguous acres of optimal deer habitat. With a strict limit of 8–12 hunters per year and only 4 in camp at any one time, pressure is low and success rates are high. Only about an hour from Des Moines, this is as good as it gets for serious trophy hunters.

  • Hunting Style: All-day sits (if desired) in ultra-comfortable ladder stands
  • Trophy Potential: Legitimate 150–160″+ opportunity
  • Lodging: Clean, comfortable farmhouse with solid meals
  • Draw Requirements: 5 points for Archery, 2 points for Shotgun/Muzzleloader

Learn More

Afton, Iowa: Classic Mix of Timber/Tillable and High Success

This is the Iowa experience most hunters dream of. Nestled near Afton, this outfitter offers access to 5,000+ acres of classic, timber-rich whitetail ground—ideal for mature bucks. With deep draws, river bottoms, and ag fields, the habitat diversity is unmatched.

  • Stands: Millennium 21′ ladder stands in strategic locations
  • Lodging and Meals: Comfortable accommodations and hearty home-cooked fare
  • Success Rates: Most WTA clients have encounters with 160″+ deer
  • Airport Options: Fly into Des Moines or Omaha—outfitter provides pickup
  • Draw Requirements: 5 points for Archery, 2 for Shotgun and Muzzleloader

If you’re looking to make every point count, this is the outfitter to trust.

Learn More

Why Choose WTA TAGS?

At WTA TAGS, we offer a comprehensive, full-service licensing program designed to simplify the complex world of big game applications. Each client is paired with a dedicated consultant who provides expert guidance on where and how to apply, ensuring your applications are submitted accurately and on time. We even float the upfront tag fees required by many states, easing the financial burden during the application process. Once you draw a tag, our extensive network of vetted outfitters ensures you’re matched with top-tier hunting opportunities tailored to your goals. Our commitment to personalized service, combined with our deep industry knowledge, makes WTA TAGS the trusted partner for hunters seeking the adventure of a lifetime.

Let WTA TAGS Handle the Details

Don’t let the complexity of the draw process keep you from experiencing Iowa’s legendary whitetail hunting. Whether you need help applying, building points, or booking the right outfitter, WTA TAGS is here to guide you every step of the way.

June 1 is the deadline—contact us today to secure your spot in the draw or start building preference points. The bucks are waiting, and your hunt of a lifetime starts with a simple phone call to 1-800-755-8247.

Get Started with WTA TAGS

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Limited-Entry Alaska Dall Sheep: North America’s Pinnacle Hunt

Limited-Entry Alaska Dall Sheep: North America’s Pinnacle Hunt

As the December 15 deadline to apply for Alaska’s most coveted big-game tags approaches, one opportunity stands above all others: limited-entry Dall sheep. If you’ve ever dreamed of pursuing this iconic high-country species, now is the time to apply.

Why this Hunt Matters More than Ever

In the not-too-distant past, Alaska suffered back-to-back-to-back severe weather events that dramatically impacted Dall sheep populations across much of the state, resulting in fewer over-the-counter opportunities and even closures. Hunters have been forced to look to Canada, where hunts are now largely sold out through 2027 and prices have surged beyond $60,000. Even at such outrageous prices, availability is scarce.

This shift has made Alaska’s limited-entry draw areas for Dall sheep one of the most valuable options left for serious hunters. With hunts priced between $28,000 and $35,000, applicants can still access very high-quality white sheep at nearly half the cost of Canadian alternatives.

Exceptional Success Rates

Despite the challenges statewide, the limited-entry regions—managed by very conservative tag allocations—continue to produce outstanding results for the lucky applicants of WTA TAGS:

  • 100% shot opportunity during the past three seasons,
  • 90%+ harvest rates on mature rams,
  • Some of the largest Dall rams in North America.

For those willing to embrace the physical challenge, this hunt represents the ultimate North American mountain adventure.

Why…
My Alaska Range Grizzly Adventure

My Alaska Range Grizzly Adventure

I’ve been a bear hunter my whole life, but grizzly was always the dream. When the time finally came, I reached out to WTA to book a hunt. My someday hunt was finally becoming a reality. I thought I knew what I was hoping for: one good opportunity at a mature grizzly. What actually happened over those 10 days was beyond anything I could have imagined.

My journey began in Anchorage, where I stayed the night before flying into the bush. The outfitter has a liaison in town to help with any last-minute needs, so no rental car was needed. The next morning at Merrill Field, I boarded a turboprop (they use caravans, not tiny Super Cubs) for the 1½-hour flight into hunting country.

At the airstrip, the crew waited with Kong—a massive military deuce-and-a-half that can ford rivers, plus Polaris six-wheelers. After a stop at the roadhouse to organize, we headed to moose camp, about four miles upriver.

The camp itself told stories of 50 years of hunting. Cabin walls covered with dozens of hunters’ stories, as far back as the ’70s. Old regulation books showing $50 polar bear licenses. Boxes of ammo, left behind over decades for anyone who might need them. Four cabins with wood stoves surrounded the main lodge, and there was a creek-fed shower with endless hot water. A crate of beer stays ice-cold in the stream. It’s glorious. Remote Alaska with just enough comfort to keep you hunting hard every day.

From the roadhouse, we spotted two black bears on the mountainside. That evening, the cameraman Jordan and I glassed near camp, getting oriented for what was supposed to be a grizzly-focused hunt.

The next morning, those black bears were still there. We moved in. At 390 yards, with shifting thermals threatening to blow our approach, I took my shot. Low but lethal. Two more shots finished it. While butchering, we discovered this old boar was peppered with birdshot—dozens of pellets in each leg and shoulder. Somewhere, sometime, he’d been a problem bear. He could take a bullet. By 3 p.m., we had meat in the freezer and the hide salted. We were back to looking for grizzly.

Day two took us seven miles up the creek on six-wheelers, somewhat technical riding through river crossings and over rough terrain. Near the old sheep camp, we spotted a sow with three cubs and various black bears, but no boars.

Then everything changed. Rounding an alder-lined corner, our guide hit the brakes. A black bear ahead was acting strangely. It was actually approaching us. Behind him, a grizzly was hunting him, panting from the chase. The black bear, caught between predators, escaped up the cliffs.

The grizzly sat on its haunches, exhausted, looking between us and the black bear as it escaped. This bear was in full predator mode, seemingly calculating whether we might be easier prey. Then he simply lay down for a nap, 400 yards away, completely unconcerned by our presence.

For 34 minutes, I stayed behind the gun. Time passed slowly as we talked through every scenario: “If he does this, we’ll do that.” Finally, he stood and turned broadside at 415 yards. One squeeze, perfect shot placement. He barrel-rolled down the slope.

This was it—the animal I’d wanted forever, taken in a sequence I couldn’t have scripted better. Pure euphoria.

We had two bears down and over a week left of hunting. Day three was Jordan’s birthday, and we decided to get him a bear tag from camp. This would be his first hunt behind a rifle. We picked up a great black bear in no time. Jordan’s demeanor totally changed as he went into hunt mode and put a perfect 350-yard shot right into the bear’s heart. Top-tier birthday!

Three bears in three days with a week remaining. I bought a second tag and grabbed my bow. We spent four days searching for another bear, exploring drainages, following wolf tracks, catching Dolly Varden, and collecting shed antlers. Living the full Alaska experience while always hunting.

On the second-to-last day, I spotted a huge black bear doing loops through berry patches on a steep face. After multiple failed positioning attempts, I opted to go solo while Jordan and our guide filmed from a distance. The bear, hearing me crash through the alders below him, thought I was another bear invading his berries. At nine yards, with his hackles up and ears flat, I put an arrow through his front shoulder. Our group’s fourth bear.

Four bears in four days. An incredible adventure. This was the outfitter’s first year focusing on Fall bear hunting. The populations are thriving (evident from the moose without calves), and they’ve wisely increased tag allocations.

I came to Alaska with a lifelong dream of taking a grizzly. What I got was something I couldn’t have imagined: multiple species, incredible encounters, and memories that transformed a dream hunt into something beyond dreams. The grizzly lying down in front of us, completely unafraid. Jordan’s pure joy at his first bear. Stalking with my bow, close enough to hear the bear growling and clacking its jaws.

Some hunts meet your expectations. This one created new ones. When you book with WTA, you’re not just booking a hunt, you’re setting yourself up for adventures you can’t even imagine.

Learn about this Hunt

The Central Flyway is a waterfowl superhighway—a vital corridor for migrating ducks and geese—and for those of us lucky enough to be waterfowlers, it offers unmatched opportunities to hunt and experience the migration from September through January.

Over the past 40 years, I’ve had the privilege of chasing ducks around the world, but many of my favorite memories come from following this flyway, especially during those early years when my duck-obsessed father would pull my brother and me out of school every Fall to chase birds.

That’s right! We missed school every year for dedicated waterfowl trips. No regrets.

In the true north country, along the edges of Canada’s boreal forest, early-season hunts are nothing short of magical. The birds are just beginning their journey south—hungry, unpressured, and eager to settle into newly harvested grain fields. It’s a waterfowler’s paradise. The decoy spreads in these northern zones are often among the first the birds see, and their eager, uneducated responses can be absolutely breathtaking.

One of the most unforgettable sights is the famed swirling cyclone of Canada geese funneling down into a field. I can still hear my dad yelling over the deafening honks, his voice barely audible, “They can’t hear us!” The birds were so loud that those at the top of the funnel couldn’t even hear the gunfire below. If you’ve ever experienced it, you know exactly the kind of spine-tingling moment I’m talking about.

When the birds pushed south, so did we.

The prairie pothole regions of North Dakota are pure waterfowl gold. The right pothole on a cold morning—especially if you can find open water—can be magic. And if the water’s frozen? My dad had a fix: get there early, break trail through the skim ice, and push it under itself to create an opening. Voilà…open water.

I’ll never forget one frigid morning. After breaking ice, my hands were bright red and on the edge of frostbite. I looked at my dad for sympathy, but he just grinned as the puddle ducks cupped up and said, “Do you want warm hands, or do you want to shoot ducks?” Like I said, he was a fanatic. I grabbed the old Winchester pump and did my best. That day, I also learned the value of hand warmers and Gore-Tex gloves.

There are so many unforgettable moments:

  • Slipping and sliding at a Nebraska reservoir, laughing hysterically as we wondered if we’d ever get the old Suburban and trailer back up the icy boat ramp. After limiting out on greenheads.
  • Rowing across the Delta Marsh in the dark to find the perfect crescent-shaped bulrush island to set the decoys that the canvasbacks couldn’t resist.
  • Chasing snow geese in South Dakota and realizing we’d finally picked the perfect field, the one that made it worth all those hours spent spray-painting sheet-metal shell decoys in the garage.

These weren’t just hunting trips. They were memories shared with family, with friends, and with the great outdoors itself.

In the end, missing a week of school every year was worth every single minute.

The last duck hunt I shared with my admittedly duck-crazy father was a world away and half a lifetime ago. The hunt may be long over, but the memory will always stay with me.

At WTA, we’re proud to connect our clients with trusted partners so they can experience these same one-of-a-kind adventures.

We offer incredible destinations and outstanding outfitters all along the Central Flyway—from Alberta and Saskatchewan to North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma—so you can create your own lasting memories.

Call Worldwide Trophy Adventures at 1-800-346-8747 today to book your trip of a lifetime.

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