15 Big Buck Counties in Iowa
15 Big Buck Counties in Iowa
When it comes to deer hunting, few animals captivate the attention of hunters quite like the Boone & Crockett qualifying deer. These giants, known for their impressive antlers, scoring at least 160 net inches of antler, have become every hunter’s dream. Iowa is known for its giant trophy deer. In this article, we will delve into the counties in Iowa with recorded deer 160 net inches and above. It should be noted, I said recorded. There are plenty of bucks I, and I’m sure you, know of that have not been officially scored and have not been submitted to Pope & Young (125 inches and above) or Boon & Crokett (160 inches and above) record books. The number of these bucks remain a silent mystery.
Qualifications of Record Deer
To qualify for entry into the Boone & Crockett record, a deer must meet the following requirements:
The deer’s antlers net score must meet or exceed 160 inches, which is calculated based on factors such as main beam length, inside spread, tine length, and circumference measurements. Additionally, the animal must have been hunted legally under fair chase conditions. Pope & Young scoring system is similar, but the minimum score must be 125 net inches. Deer are also categorized as “typical” or “non-typical” based on the shape and symmetry of their antlers.
Past Statistics
The largest typical whitetail deer ever recorded by the Boone and Crockett Club had an impressively symmetrical rack and scored an astounding 213 5/8 inches. This record-setting deer was harvested in Saskatchewan, Canada in 1993.
>Previously, the largest non-typical whitetail deer, officially scored by the Boone and Crockett Club, was taken by Tony Lovstuen in 2003 from Appanoose County, Iowa. This Iowa monster scored a staggering 307 5/8 inches, making it the largest non-typical whitetail deer ever recorded. Recently, this record was surpassed by the Brewster Buck, shot by Luke Brewster while bowhunting Illinois. The Brewster Buck scored 327 7/8 inches.
Top 15 Counties
According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), there are numerous counties throughout the state where hunters have had success in harvesting trophy whitetail, in fact every county has records of bucks scoring over 160 net inches of antler. In this article, we will delve into these top counties and explore the data collected by the Iowa DNR regarding bucks scoring 160 net inches or larger. I know some hunters do not want to enter big deer in the record books. Doing this can increase hunting pressure and draw attention to your hunting areas. However, from the data collected from the Iowa DNR, here are the top counties for trophy bucks in Iowa.
Warren County
Consistently produces some of the largest bucks in the state, with 133 deer scoring 160 or larger recorded in the past few years.
Allamakee County
A historical hotspot for big buck hunting. With 129 bucks scoring 160 or larger in the recent past, it holds as one of the best counties for big bucks.
Monroe County
Has a long history of being a prime location for trophy deer. Since 1939, 117 bucks with antlers scoring 160 or larger have been recorded as harvested here.
Marion County
Home to some truly remarkable bucks. With 116 bucks scoring 160 or more inches, it is clear that this county is a favorite among serious hunters.
Clayton County
A very popular hunting destination for generations. There have been 115 records of Boon & Crokett qualifying deer harvested from Clayton County.
Decatur County
located in southern Iowa, boasts incredible a thriving deer population. Over 104 individual bucks with antlers scoring 160 net inches or more have been recorded here.
Jackson County
has 85 bucks over 160 inches recorded in the last few years, Jackson County has been a hot spot for serious deer hunters.
Madison County
is home to some of the largest trophy deer in Iowa. With multiple bucks scoring 180 or more, and 83 deer recorded scoring 160 or larger.
Guthrie County
has long been known for its trophy deer population. There are 82 records of bucks exceeding 160 net inches of antlers.
Van Buren County
With 81 trophies, this southern Iowa county is a serious contender.
In Clarke County
the DNR records show a total of 77 bucks scoring 160 inches or larger. Hunters in Clarke County have a good chance of encountering trophy-sized deer.
Winneshiek County
also has 77 recorded trophy bucks scoring 160 or larger. This county boasts a diverse landscape with forests, fields, and river valleys, providing excellent habitat for deer to thrive and grow.
Appanoose County
Proven to be a prime location for trophy bucks, with 74 records or bucks scoring 160 or larger.
Lucas County
has seen 73 bucks thus far scoring 160 net inches of antler or larger, making it another top county for trophy deer.
Lastly, Linn County
rounds out the list with 69 bucks scoring 160 inches or larger. Linn County offers opportunities for hunters to find trophy-sized deer.
>Trophies are subjective, if it is a trophy for you, that is a harvest of which you should be proud, despite if it officially makes the record books or not.
by Jessica Graham
November 2023
