In this episode of Dropping Pins, Derek embarks on his first-ever public land scouting trip in Iowa. With a possible tag draw in two years, he’s putting boots on the ground, marking stand locations, and soaking in everything the terrain has to offer. From massive rubs and historical scrapes to ideal bedding areas and overlooked hotspots, Derek covers miles of ground, uncovering prime whitetail sign along the way.

The trek isn’t just about finding sheds (though he does walk away with two fresh ones). It’s about understanding how mature bucks use the land—where they bed, travel, and stage before heading to food sources. As he marks key locations on Spartan Forge, Derek shares his thought process on how to approach hunting these spots in the future.

Whether you're gearing up for your own out-of-state hunt or just love the thrill of scouting new ground, this episode is packed with takeaways that will help you dial in your whitetail strategy.

🎧 Tune in to hear about Derek’s Iowa adventure, the biggest scrapes he’s ever seen, and why hill country scouting is both brutal and rewarding!

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