Iowa Non Resident Draw Results.....Its getting tougher each year

[Arrowsmith]

The Iowa DNR sent out the draw results emails last Friday. I have 3 friends that were planning to come up and hunt with me last year. They had 4 preference points last year and did not draw. We were very surprised. I thought this year would be a sure deal for them as they each had 5 preference points in their accounts. We had dates picked, I have been getting stands set for them, shooting lanes trimmed and even planned the menu for breakfast and supper. Well....guess what.... none of the 3 friends drew with 5 points.

We live in nonresident Zone 5 which is the most popular zone. There were 560 nonresident tags available in zone 5. No one drew with 4 points. 479 drew with 5 points, 69 drew with 6 points, and 12 drew with 7 or more points. Last year over 100 people drew a Zone 5 tag with 4 points. Point creep is real.

It is disappointing for my friends and me. I was looking forward to them coming. I have other friends scheduled to come and hunt in future years that are also accumulating preference points. Everyone's plans just got pushed back a year.

I am not complaining about the system. The Iowa DNR and Legislature have done a great job protecting the quality of the deer hunting.

[Passthrough]

Exactly why I bought PP number 6 this year. Even though everyone always said 5 pts was a lock for Zone 5!

[jshouse]

Interesting. I'm part of a group trying to go in 2027, we will have 6pts by then, hope thata good enough lol

[James]

This is across the country. I’ve been eying an elk unit for years. Every year it’s going up on average one point to draw. Social media and YouTube is changing the game

[Arrowsmith]

Iowa points required have crept up from 3 to 4 to draw in 2017 to 5 to 6 to draw in 2023. You are right on social media, You Tube etc. I think the two COVID years 2020 and 2021 also affected the point creep. A lot of people with 4-5 points just put in for a point instead of trying to draw a tag not knowing about travel restrictions, season suspensions, etc.

[Arrowsmith]

One of my friends that did not draw with 5 points (he now has 6 points) has already been getting emails and even one phone call from Iowa outfitters. I guess the Iowa DNR shares info with outfitters.