Public Turkey hunting near Ames?

[illinoiscyclone]

Well... I recently relocated to Ames which was a great move, but I am not allowed to take time off until July. I have Illinois turkey tags for the week after easter but there is no way I am leaving work friday night and driving 6 hours to hunt 1 day and come back.

The itch is here. And I do not know how to scratch it.

Any suggestions on where I may find some thunderchickens around here? The only farm I know with some serious timber and gobblers is full up with hunters already. I am willing to even go to public ground, because I see that as the only viable option. I am willing to go to any county bordering story, possibly further if I can't find something that close. I would just like to be able to scout some after work so the closer the better.

 

[ruflosn]

Your best bet is probably along the Des Moines river between Stratford and Boone. Don't forget to stop by the Riverside Tap in Lehigh for a cold refreshment.

 

[chuckd4735]

Alot of Story County parks that would be good areas, although Im not sure which one allow public hunting. Here is the list... http://ia-storycounty.civicplus.com/Facilities.aspx?page=list&search=1&CID=3

 

[isu22andy]

I've contemplated the same, fortunately for me I have some land 2 hours away I can hunt easter weeekend. Public hunting always gives me some sort of bad feeling. I feel like walking in the woods with turkey decoys slung over my back some hillbilly might start blasting away. From the driving around I've seen Id second along the Des Moines river. Get on one the dragoon trails and start driving. You'll find all sorts of public hunting signs.

 

[HappyJoe]

Are you officially an Iowa resident? If not, you are unfortunately out of luck as non residents have to draw for tags. I know that you can't get a resident tag for two states so that is why I ask. As for hunting turkeys around Ames, like mentioned the public ground along the DSM river are decent options. My Dad canoed a section of it last weekend and heard plenty of gobbles. Another option is the skunk river areas north of Ames, possibly even Peterson Pits. I'd suggest getting up really early on a calm morning this week and checking areas as quickly as possible. Scouting yesterday I heard my first gobble at 5:45. Just park and listen, drive park and listen, etc from about 6-7 am until you hear decent gobbling. Then come back later in the day to scout out possible set ups for the weekend hunt. Good luck. If you want to drive 2.5 hours to southern Iowa, message me and I will point you to specifics on some great public ground I've hunted for the past 15 years. Growing up in Ames and then going to ISU, I always drove south to hunt turkeys.

 

[Wesley]

There were a lot of turkeys at VEISHA on Tuesday...try Welch St:unsure:

 

[isu22andy]

First year trying spring turkey for this guy. I have a ground blind, decoys, 12 gauge with turkey load, and a slate call ive been doing some practicing on. Anything else anyone doesn't leave home without ? Anyone use a locator call ? Suggestions on which one to get? Ive had trail cams out around my deer hunting areas and have seen some turkeys so I have a good idea where theyre roosting. I only have this weekend so I'd like to make it happen!

 

[RotatingColumn]

First year trying spring turkey for this guy. I have a ground blind, decoys, 12 gauge with turkey load, and a slate call ive been doing some practicing on. Anything else anyone doesn't leave home without ? Anyone use a locator call ? Suggestions on which one to get? Ive had trail cams out around my deer hunting areas and have seen some turkeys so I have a good idea where theyre roosting. I only have this weekend so I'd like to make it happen!

Leave your call and decoys at home. You're hunting public land, they've heard and seen it all. And if you REALLY want a challenge, wait till 4th season.

 

[isu22andy]

Leave your call and decoys at home. You're hunting public land, they've heard and seen it all. And if you REALLY want a challenge, wait till 4th season.

Im hunting private family land, also Im thinking about using my bow for my second tag. Shot my first deer with a bow this year and haven't stopped practicing.

 

[Wesley]

watch for people leaving the story county jail....lots of turkeys...

 

[illinoiscyclone]

Sorry for the drive by post. I don't get on here much anymore.

I think I am going to go to McCoy Wildlife area out by Ledges first, and I may try Chichiqua if I see something out there I like when I take my dog to train. Those two and Boone forks north of Stanhope are the closest Turkey areas according to the DNR ARCGIS. I got this idea in my head way too late in the game, I should have been scouting already. Hopefully sometime next week we will have some calm afternoons and I can go out and put one to bed after work.

I am an Iowa resident, so getting a permit shouldn't be any big deal.

Thanks again guys!

 

[isu22andy]

Anyone bag anything this weekend ? Went out 4 times, called a lone hen off the roost both times, dont know where the big groups have been but was frustrating to only get a hen to come in after what I've seen this past deer season.