Quick Tips
- Turkeys have incredible eyesight - camouflage and natural surroundings will be important
- Artificial blinds can be an excellent way to increase your cover
- Decoys can be an excellent way to add realism to your calling setup
On The Ground
This large zone is found in the northeastern portion of the state and lies along the Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota state lines. This zone is among the top for turkeys killed each season, and this can be an excellent area to base your hunt out of. The vast majority of this area is composed of private land and the terrain types will vary between croplands, creek and river bottoms, and mature timber stands. State lands are scattered throughout the zone along with wildlife management areas which can make for some great access opportunities for public land hunters.
Access
As with the other zones in the state, private lands dominate the landscape but this zone does have some great public access options that hunters should be considering. Traditional state lands are spread throughout the area but are the most prevalent in the northern half of the zone. Additionally, hunters will also have access to a great collection of Wildlife Management areas throughout the zone that can provide some exceptional hunting opportunities. 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.
Roughly 11,059 square miles
4% public land
Some of the bigger portions of land you might consider for public access:
Northern end WMA's - The extreme northern edge of this zone has a big collection of WMA's and some traditional state lands. These are all found primarily north of the towns of Decorah and Waukon.
State lands near Harpers Ferry - There is a great collection of state owned lands near the town of Harpers Ferry. This area is largely characterized by mature hardwood stands with interspersed small crop fields. This could be an excellent place to check out.
State lands near Fayette - Another great chunk of state owned land is located just northwest of Fayette.
Iowa River Corridor WMA - This massive WMA is found along the Iowa River and features thousands of acres of river bottom and marshland habitat. Hunting opportunities are excellent here. This is located in the southern portion of the unit near the town of Belle Plaine.
Hawkeye WMA - This enormous 12,600 acre WMA is located on the south side of the zone just south of the town of Cedar Rapids. Located along the Iowa River, this area provides thousands of acres of prime river bottom habitat.
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:
New Hamtpon - Northwest corner
Decorah - North central
Waterloo - Western edge
Cedar Rapids - South central
Dubuque - Eastern edge
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