Plan for Deer Season 2025

Plan for Deer Season 2025

By Aaron McKinney

AS Iowa’s 2024 hunting season winds down this month, hunters across the state feel a mix of accomplishment and anticipation. For many, the season has been rewarding, with crisp mornings, challenging hunts, and stories to share. Yet, as the final days slip by and the fields quiet down, the work is far from over. Now is the perfect time to look forward, channeling that same passion and dedication into preparing for the 2025 season. 

Hunting in Iowa is about more than just the moments in the field; it’s a year-round commitment, and a year-round obsession. Between now and the opening day of the 2025 season, there are endless ways to make improvements to hunting grounds, hone skills, and build a habitat that will support for this upcoming year. From enhancing food plots to planning for timber work, the months ahead offer a unique opportunity to set the stage for next season’s success. 

Habitat Improvement 

Healthy habitats are foundational for a sustainable and productive hunting environment. The off-season provides time to evaluate what you saw last year and any areas needing improvement. Improving habitat can increase deer populations and the quality of the animals hunted, supporting deer. 

One effective approach to habitat improvement is creating cover with native warm season grasses, shrubs, and trees to provide cover and security. Hunters should consider winter cover options, which offer protection against the harsher elements and predators. For example, adding species like switchgrass or other tall native grasses can improve cover and bedding for deer. It’s also suprising how using native grasses on a food plot will help them feel more secure. 

Water sources are equally crucial. Installing or enhancing ponds, creeks, or seasonal water sources will make land more attractive to deer, especially during dry spells in summer and early fall. Hunters often overlook water management, but it can be a valuable addition to a property plan, attracting animals to specific hunting areas. 

Timber Work and Tree Management 

In January, we will have a mixture of frigid cold temps and then some days where the sun is out and things warm up. When it is decent outside, I like to do some timber management. Iowa’s mix of hardwood forests offers hunters both challenges and opportunities when it comes to managing timber. Selectively removing certain trees, can allow more sunlight to penetrate the forest floor. This stimulates the growth of forage plants and shrubs that provide both food and cover for deer. It’s also a prime time to cut those shooting lanes. If you need to get big equipment in, like your skid loader, tractor, or dozer, now is the time for the bigger work. It will allow things to green up this spring and the disruption will be minimal. 

Tree thinning, when done thoughtfully, can open up crowded woods, encouraging the growth of native forbs and other vegetation that deer love. Timber management also involves planning for long-term sustainability. Deadfall management is also worth considering. Downed trees create habitat for smaller animals and help break up the terrain, giving cover to larger game. Creating edge habitats, where woodlands meet fields, can provide prime hunting spots as well, as animals often move along these transitional zones. 

Food Plot Planning 

Food plots play a crucial role in our hunting today. Maybe it’s a big part of the way you hunt, or maybe you could care less. However, the off-season is ideal for designing a food plot strategy for the unique conditions of each property. Food plots require careful planning regarding their location, size, and crop selection, each of which has an impact on animal movement patterns and hunting opportunities. 

When designing food plots for deer, consider both warm-season and cool-season plants along with perennials. Warm-season plots, often planted in spring, can include clover, soybeans, and alfalfa. These plants provide valuable nutrition during the summer months and encourage deer to stay on the property year-round. Cool-season plots planted in the fall, like brassicas, turnips, and winter wheat, can provide a food source late into the year, drawing deer in during the hunting season. 

It’s also essential to pay attention to soil quality. Soil testing can help determine which nutrients are lacking, and adding the right fertilizers will ensure better crop growth. The off-season allows time to test and amend soil, so food plots reach their full potential by the time hunting season arrives. 

Mapping and Trail Creation 

Understanding game movement is central to successful hunting. Winter, with its bare trees and visible trails, is one of the best times to evaluate deer movement. Look for trails and bedding areas to understand where deer and other game are most likely to be active during the hunting season. 

You might benefit from clearing a new path to food plots, bedding zones, and watering sites. Making subtle improvements to game trails can gently guide animals toward spots where hunters are most likely to encounter them. Clearing branches and brush from trails can encourage consistent movement patterns, making animals more predictable. In addition, you might mentally make note of new stand and/or blind locations.  

Equipment Maintenance and Upgrades 

The quiet months after hunting season are ideal for checking, cleaning, and upgrading gear. Tree stands, ground blinds, and trail cameras may need repairs or adjustments to be safe and reliable. With the extra time in the off-season, hunters can inspect straps, bolts, and other components on stands, ensuring everything is in good working order. 

Also, hunters may also want to consider investing in tools like ATVs, plows, or seeding equipment for the property. Off-season deals on these tools can help prepare hunters for future habitat work, food plot planting, or setting up blinds and stands. 

Scouting and Monitoring Game 

Scouting in the off-season provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the behavior and population of local game without the pressure of hunting. With the leaves off the trees and snow on the ground, animal tracks are often easier to spot, giving hunters a clearer picture of movement patterns. The first few sheds will hit the ground soon and shed hunting allows hunters to find more information about a specific buck’s bedding area. This not only reveals where deer have been spending their time, but it’s also a helpful gauge for assessing the quality of the buck population for the next season. 

You might also consider upgrading trail cameras to models with longer battery life or higher-quality sensors, or solar capabilities. Additionally, trail cameras can be positioned to monitor food plots, trails, or bedding areas, gathering information about which bucks made it through the seasons. There is no guarantee that they will be there October 1st, but it is nice to start working on a hit list and monitoring target bucks. 

Looking Forward to the 2025 Season 

As January closes in and the cold months set in, Iowa hunters have a unique opportunity to set themselves up for success in the coming year. Habitat improvements, food plot planning, trail adjustments, and equipment upgrades all work together for a successful hunt. The investment made in these off-season months can make the 2025 hunting season one of the best yet. By focusing on creating a sustainable habitat, enhancing food and cover sources, and improving overall land quality, hunters can look forward to a season that not only promises exciting hunts but also supports the health and well-being of Iowa’s wildlife populations. The work done now is a gift to the future, ensuring the land remains vibrant, abundant, and a source of pride for Iowa’s hunting community.