My year in Iowa

Thanks for the tip ’25

Did you happen to remember what Joes was asking for a bag of Ringworms?

Rootski

Man where do I even start ???? We all know I lost my father last suddenly last December . Totally wasn’t even sure if I was going to hunt… Also last November I lost my hunting land, let me tell you I was at the bottom of lows when I lost my hunting partner my father . Now too start my 2013 year with a bright eyed little girl an a son . That looked at me an said daddy will you take us turkey hunting ?? I just looked at them an went downstairs to my den . As I sat there looking at all my mounts an pics on the wall . I thought to myself something needs to change I cant live in this depression anymore. So I went upstairs an told my wife I need to change! An change I did . I started jogging an biking everyday an lost 52lbs . I got my kids out turkey hunting an I tell you to see the smiles an laughter while we were in the outdoors made me realize that this is what its all about . Now here I am come the end of June thinking I need too start scouting the public land heavily in North East Iowa . Bow season is fast approaching an I have a lot of work to do. I had my mind set too kill a pope an young an no less . I started hunting heavy the second week of October an finally ended last friday . I saw several nice bucks but just couldn’t seal the deal . Also sat 4 days in a row from day light tell dark without seeing a deer . You want too talk about discouraging . But something kept me driving on an doing what I love most , being in the woods chasing those whitetails . I do realize now its my rock my passion . Last friday started out with high hopes, hunting a river bottom with a ton of sign . I opted for a ground blind , because of the cold temps . Around 8 am I started seeing deer an a lot of deer . But no shooter bucks . With the gun opener here in Iowa fast approaching . I decided to take the first mature deer that offers me a shot . I took a nice doe at 40 yards. Man was I pumped !! It felt like I had just shot a 180inch buck . My emotions were flying . An that right there was worth all the hours I put in a stand this year . I couldnt be more happy . I know someone from above was watching me an smiling . Yet it was a beautiful doe . I thank you Dad my kids my wife and IDO ! It dosent take a rack to make a trophy, its about the time spent in the woods an this big girl im sure proud of . Sorry about the pic for I was alone .

Talk about a huge change 52 lbs?!?! Wow!! Congrats on your giant doe

Well done Tony! I read all your posts and I can say for sure that you gave it your all in your quest for a P&Y buck. Sorry for the loss of your father, but it sounds like spending time with your kids outdoors was great therapy for you!

Love it!! Worked your off and to feel that sense of accomplishment at the end of the season. Good on you Tony!! Congrats!!!!!

Nice doe Tony and its going to taste good. The bucks are going to be looking for any late doe coming in and maybe the usual earlier season places aren’t going to produce that nice buck. Later in the season I would usually hunt fence lines that run into areas where theres a nice timber around or that run into a feeding area. I don’t know if theres much snow, if there is and were bound to get some maybe hunt fencelines because most of the deer are going to be looking and scraping for alfalfa and smaller bush browse. Maybe if you could find a farm that borders a public hunting area that has both Alfalfa and corn that they can scrape for. Have you been checking the bushes for where they have been eating the ends off. Personally Id hunt the edges of bigger timers near food sources and on wooded fencelines. Around here bigger timbers is where they are usually just passing through on trails from one feeding/doe spot to another. I shot one of my deer right on the creek bottom with all of these conditions trailing a doe. And if your going for a trophy take it down to the last minute if you have too. Good luck and hang in there.

Nice job Tony !!!

Great story Tony.

Nice job Tony… 52 lbs ? Whats left of ya ???

Congratulations! You worked your tail off for that deer I had been following your posts and was really pulling for you

Thanks everyone . I had a great season ! Awesome to be able too spend the time in the woods . Im ready for the weekend . Cant wait too hunt with my son . Next year will be his first year bow hunting .