| Species | General Size | Trophy Potential |
|---|---|---|
| Whitetail Deer | 120"-150" | 170"+ |
High
Low
This zone is found in the extreme southeast corner of the state and lies along the Missouri and Illinois state lines. A healthy population of deer is distributed throughout the zone in heavy densities. As with other zones in the state, the private lands in this area will typically provide the best hunting opportunities and the best chances to kill a good buck. However, this zone has great public access opportunities for public land hunters heading to this zone with the intent of killing a buck on public lands. This area is characterized by privately owned agricultural fields, interspersed with extensive stands of mature hardwood trees, and numerous creeks, rivers, reservoirs, and swamps. This area features excellent genetics, contributing to the potential for some exceptional bucks.
As with many other areas in the state, private lands make up the vast majority of this zone which can cause access issues at time. In general, this unit does have better public access than most options with the bulk of these opportunities being composed of traditional state owned lands and wildlife management areas. These public access points are distributed throughout the zone but are most prevalent along the entire southern half of the zone as well as its extreme eastern edge along the state line. 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.
Some of the bigger portions of land you might consider for public access:
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:
Roughly 2,705 square miles
6% public land
Millrace Flats WMA - This 1,300 acres WMA is located on the east side of the unit just north of the town of Wapello. this area has a great mixture of both marshy grasslands and mature hardwood timber.
Mississippi River Islands WMA - This WMA encompasses several thousand acres of islands, sloughs, and deltas along the Mississippi River. Access into these islands can be difficult, but competition will be low and the hunting can be great.
State lands around Farmington - Just east of the town of Farmington lies a massive collection of state land within the Shimek National Forest.
Lake Sugema WMA - This 3,900 acre WMA is located in the southeastern portion of the zone just outside of the town of Keosauqua. This area features a varied terrain of marshlands, grassland, and timber. Additionally, this also backs up to a large section of traditional state land.
Muscatine - Extreme northeast corner
Burlington - East central
Mount Pleasant - North central
Fairfield - North central
Ottumwa - Northwest corner