Nontypical234

I drew a tag for the first shotgun hunt in unit 9 (Allamakee Co.) and since this will be my first time hunting there I was wondering if anyone would be so kind as to let me know what to expect - hunter densities, what size buck not to pass on, best technique etc.
Thanks.

ahunter55

I only Bowhunt but your in good country. Public ground is good (bowseason) but I know everything gets pounded during shotgun.
You are the only one that can decide what you want-I have lived on the Ill./Iowa border (NE IOWA & NW ILL) "ALL MY LIFE" & have taken a ton of Deer Bowhunting-never have shotgunned. Sure-we have big Deer & yes Big Racks but collecting them is not easy-I have only 4 good Bucks over my whole lifetime (48 years of Bowhunting) BUT have had many, many chances at some tremendous Bucks. My buddy(from Maryland) hunted with me last year (I took him to a place in NW ILL) & he took a 200 pound plus 8 point on his 3rd day that would score 115-We were both happy with this Buck. Me, because I put up the stand & took him & him cause he got a decent Buck. So, if you want a 140-150 you may go home with a Doe-but you should have a decent hunt. My buddies Buck if it posts.

Nontypical234

Thanks for the info ahunter. My passion is bowhunting and I would love to hunt down there during the rut but it would take me about three years to draw and I wanted to establish a relationship asap with a landowner. I really don't like to drive for deer - I like to pattern one single buck and learn his routine but I'm lucky to have just drawn a tag and maybe I can plan for an archery hunt down the road. Do you hunt in the steep coulee part of 9 and if so, where do you position your stands (bottom, side top etc)?
Thanks.

ahunter55

Hunting here is the same as anyplace else. if you don't have much time to scout look for a funnel area. I actually like to position on a ridge between draws if possible where they cross thru & not to far from their feeding area. Most have a corn or bean field they travel back & forth to.
You will see their trails-the ones with the least amount of traffic sometimes produce the best buck b/4 & after rut. My buddy took his on a lightly used trail but then-you never know where a good one will pop up.
If there seems to be hunting pressure get as far into the thick stuff as possible & way in OR some lonley spot in the middle of a field along a fence row. You have 1st season so when the shooting starts they wise up quick but you will see them moving good the 1st day or two-it just keeps getting harder as the gun days go on. I usually don't start seeing Deer in my area till about 3 weeks after gun season ends-they just vanish. good luck. This pic is my brother standing by One of my better Bucks.