Expert Tips for Midwestern Whitetail Hunting: Part 1 (MN, IA, NE & KS)

2021 Edition for Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas

Written by Drew Tvrdik, Collin Mann, and Tyler Wolf

Edited by Tyler Wolf

Whether you call the Midwest home or are planning an out-of-state hunt this year, knowing the conditions on the ground is critical. Localized topics such as topography, climate, forage, herd health and behavior, weather trends, and more will bubble up as things to know before you go. Luckily, here at Fall Obsession, we’re loaded with experienced hunters from across the country. Their knowledge is your gain, as we’ve amassed a trove of local hunter expertise. Below is a snippet of tips that will arm with the knowledge necessary for a quality hunt in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, or Kansas.

Minnesota

It’s been dry recently, which is affecting forage production. This year, you can expect an early ripening and an overall reduced crop. Fruit trees, such as apple and pear, started dropping fruit in late summer. The same goes for acorn trees, as the lack of water dampens the number of acorns produced. At ground level, grasses are patchy and thin. Essentially, some food sources will go quick, leaving less available tonnage in the late season. However, since food is a primary driver of deer travel, early-season patterns might be more apparent. Food scarcity will only increase as the late-season approaches and food sources dwindle.

Also, due to the recent dry spell, lake, river, and pond levels are lower than average, exposing new land features. The effect is disparate, depending upon the situation, but these are good areas to observe. The newly exposed areas could provide an uptick in greenage compared to previous years when those areas were water-filled. Or, the lack of water could expose new and alternative travel corridors. Either way, the lack of water behooves a second and closer look. Pull out your spotting scope and do some long-distance scouting, then adjust your trail cameras accordingly. Be sure to focus on staging areas between bedding and food plots, as well as watering holes and early food sources.

Iowa

In the Midwest, many states are known for producing large amounts of high-standing cereal grains. Iowa is typically near the top of these lists. And, with booming crop prices, farmers are clearing timber stands at an alarming rate. That prime timber hunting track from years past might be a dedicated cornfield now. However, this doesn’t mean whitetail hunting is terrible. Instead, it only changes the game.

As crop production increases, so do the food availability for local whitetail. It’s common knowledge that Iowa is a hotspot when it comes to harvesting big antlered bucks. Access to food is a big part of that. Combined with the cover that corn provides, along with a restricted archery rut, it adds to the recipe. The result is a good population of wall hangers.

Iowa’s terrain contains multiple variations. From rolling hills to flat meadows, you’ll get a nice mix in Iowa. The hills and valleys provide adequate cover and travel corridors; therefore, it’s not uncommon to find a monster buck calling these hills home. Not to be outdone, the flatter, more expansive, and grassier areas of Iowa produce boomers as well. The blend of space, food, and cover is very attractive to a nervous ungulate. With all this at their disposal, it’s easy to understand why big bucks are plentiful in Iowa.

Regarding tactics, one tip is to play is slow and cautious in the early season, typically through October. Stick to stands with good vantage points. Focus on areas you can reach without bumping deer, which can be trickier in the early season when cornfields are still standing. However, as November rolls around, take a more aggressive approach and set up near scrapes and field edges. A ridge-top between food sources is an ideal spot, as bruisers will cruise through trying to cut a doe scent. As the late season approaches, that once abundant corn supply becomes more scarce; therefore, increase your focus on food. Of course, a large amount of food is on the ground in Iowa, so be more complicated than it sounds.

Nebraska

Nebraska is similar to Iowa in a multitude of ways, especially when it comes to corn production. Known as the corn-state itself, Nebraska produces over one billion bushels of corn each year. This bountiful food source is one that whitetail love to take advantage of, so it’s never a bad idea to plan your hunts around a tall patch of corn. Also, due to rising nationwide crop prices, you’ll see the same tree-clearing trends as in Iowa. A lack of timber will reduce the availability of quality cover, especially in the late season.

Connected tracks of trees provide secure travel routes for deer.

However, the habitat of Nebraska is more divided. Western Nebraska’s expansive grasslands are more amenable to Mule deer, antelope, and elk, whereas the eastern portion is a more attractive whitetail habitat. Within that eastern range, Nebraska contains limited timberland; therefore, stick to areas with ample cover. River bottoms or connected tracks of trees are ideal. They provide deer with secure travel routes as they navigate their daily needs.

One thing to note is Nebraska’s seasons. They open the season in September, which does open the door for a beautiful velvet beast on your wall. However, they also allow firearms during the rut, which may negatively affect their trophy population.

Kansas

Part pasture, part cropland. Sometimes hilly yet sprinkled with enormous gestures of flatness. Home to the western half of the Marais De Cygnes river, along with a spattering of creeks and ponds. Kansas is a bit of a mixed bag. However, diverse topography isn’t uncommon in whitetail country, especially when you consider an entire state. The good news is that Kansas is home to some big bucks. Knowing the lay of the land is always a good idea when planning a hunt.

The struggle with Kansas is that crop production is extensive. Of the total 52 million acres of land in Kansas, 45.7 million produce crops, including corn, sorghum, wheat, soybeans, hay, and more. The most prolific crop is wheat, as Kansas farmers plant approximately 6.6 million acres of wheat each year. The next closest is corn, coming in at 6.1 million acres. The plethora of crops provides an excellent buffet for whitetails.

Consistent natural land features, such as a creek running through your property, are a great place to monitor deer movement.

However, with a constantly shifting and working environment, patterning deer becomes a challenge. A good approach for hunting whitetails is to find an area with consistent natural features, such as a water source, timber stand, or ridge. From there, you’ll have a recurring spot from which to record your whitetail observations. In fact, due to the consistency of the feature, deer will feel more comfortable leveraging it. Finding and utilizing structure is extremely helpful in bow season since proximity is necessary. It’s challenging to get close enough for a shot when deer can aimlessly meander through an entire section of cropland.

Kansas whitetail season starts in mid-September, allowing for three-and-a-half months of hunting opportunity. However, if you want a better chance at rattling in a boomer for a shot, pick up the bow. Kansas rifle season falls after the rut, usually in early December. The bow is the only way to take advantage of a buck’s lack of diligence during mating season.

Summary

Whether hunting in your backyard or another state, take the time to understand the conditions on the ground. Habitat and herd behavior are just a few of the things to consider when planning your hunt.

Good luck and stay obsessed!