Quick Tips
- GOHUNT Maps are recommended to help navigate this area
- The dates leading up to the rut will see more daylight activity from bucks than other periods
- Private lands leased by outfitters typically offer the best chances at big bucks
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Whitetail Deer | 120"-150" | 160"+ |
On The Ground
This large unit is located in the central portion of the state and lies to the north of Des Moines. A small but healthy population of deer are evenly distributed throughout the zone. Predominantly, the area is characterized by privately owned agricultural fields, interspersed with extensive stands of mature hardwood trees, and numerous creeks, rivers, reservoirs, and swamps. While densities might be lower, genetics and overall trophy potential are still excellent in this area and pieces of land that are managed for deer quality can really produce some great results. Most of this area is composed of privately owned lands, which generally hold the best odds for success, but hunters who are interested in public lands can find some excellent options here.
Access
Similar to many other zones across the state, private lands dominate, making public access crucial for the do-it-yourself (DIY) hunter. State lands are spread throughout the unit but the largest concentrations of these will be found in the eastern portion of the unit in the area just south and east of Fort Dodge but many smaller parcels can be found zone wide. While private lands offer the best chances for success, hunters willing to dedicate effort and time to exploring public lands can still find a punched tag at the end of their hunt. Oftentimes, the best private lands are generally leased by outfitters. Looking into outfitters can be a great way to drastically increase your odds of success, and your odds of finding a good buck.
Roughly 5,003 square miles
2% public land
Some of the bigger portions of land you might consider for public access:
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area - This 6,500 acre piece of land is located in the eastern portion of the unit just east of the town of Lehigh. Hunters will find a diverse mixture of land types including native prairie, grassland, timber, riparian and lake habitats.
Boone Forks WMA - this 4,500 acre wildlife management area is broken up into several chunks along the Des Moines and Boone River drainages. Terrain is varied here offering hunters some very unique hunting opportunities.
Saylorville WMA - This massive WMA is found in the southeast corner of this zone and runs into the neighboring Zone 4. This area is largely river bottom habitat along the Des Moines River. Some excellent hunting opportunities can be found here.
Kiowa Marsh WMA - This 1,200 acre area is located in the northwest corner of the zone and lies just northwest of Sac City. This WMA encompasses many small lakes and ponds with marshy surroundings. This can be an excellent area for some exciting spot and stalk hunting.
Camping and Lodging
Many large towns are available within this unit that can provide access to modern lodging, groceries, gear, and other amenities depending on the area you are planning to hunt. Lodging can typically be found in the form of motels, hotels, and rental properties. Public campgrounds and RV parks cover the unit with many of these being available in and around the areas with the best public access options.
Some of the larger towns and cities located in this zone:
Humboldt - North central on zone border
Fort Dodge - North central
Boone - Southeast corner
Ames - Southeast Corner
Jefferson - South central
Carroll - South, southwest
Denison - Southwest corner
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