Monroe County
Seclusion With Great Deer History, CRP Income And Bedding Along With Tillable Acres
189th St Albia, IA 52531
Description
This secluded Monroe County farm is loaded with diverse habitat, including hardwood timber, bottomland timber, native grasses, tillable acres, and multiple ponds. The property is located just a couple of miles west of Albia, 28 miles southwest of Oskaloosa, and approximately 60 miles from the Des Moines metro area. Situated in the heart of one of the most well-known whitetail counties in all of southern Iowa, this is a prime hunting farm with the ideal setup to intercept the kind of giant bucks the area is famous for.
Access further enhances the seclusion. After turning off the gravel road, you cross railroad tracks that naturally limit traffic and result in virtually no road frontage or visibility into the property. As you enter through the gated entrance, you’ll find a level area with electricity and rural water already on site—an excellent location for parking a camper or building a cabin. There is a smaller shed to store tools and hunting equipment as well. This setup allows you to stay on the property without disturbing key hunting areas. Several miscanthus plantings near the entrance provide outstanding screening around the potential campsite.
From the entrance, you’ll travel downhill across a concrete creek crossing and onto a well-established trail system that winds throughout the farm. Coal Creek cuts through the southwest corner, providing a seasonal water source, in addition to five ponds across the property—some of which offer excellent fishing opportunities.
The majority of the timber consists of hardwood hilltops with patchy cedar cover, particularly along the eastern side of the property. These areas provide high-quality bedding with ample southern exposure. The current owners have intentionally left much of the timber as a sanctuary in recent years, giving wildlife the security needed to remain on the property year-round. Hunting pressure has been limited in recent years.
Several acres of the farm are enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), contributing both habitat value and dependable income. Currently, 13.07 acres are enrolled through 2032 at $263.65 per acre, generating approximately $3,446 in annual income. An additional 24.50 acres are in the process of being enrolled in CRP through 2035, at $156 per acre, which will provide an estimated $3,822 annually once finalized. The new seeding will need to be completed come spring, to satisfy the new contract. This will give you an overall annual CRP income of $7,268. These CRP acres enhance bedding cover, nesting habitat, and overall wildlife diversity, while also offering a strong income component. The property also includes about 12 additional tillable acres that could be maintained as food plots or cash rented for further income potential.
Trail camera history on this farm is exceptional—some of the best I’ve seen in recent years. Multiple bucks exceeding the 160-inch mark have been documented, with consistent history spanning several seasons. While the farm is already proven as an outstanding hunting property, there remains ample opportunity for the next owner to make adjustments and further enhance huntability.
The property also supports a strong turkey population, with birds observed on every visit. Two Redneck blinds are included and are strategically positioned along the hillsides. Several buffers of oak and cedar trees have been planted to break up the topography, creating excellent edge habitat and additional stand locations. As you move through the timber, it’s easy to see why deer thrive here—large mast-producing oak trees, thick understory on ridge tops, and cedar cover throughout the south-facing slopes provide outstanding bedding. Deep draws and north-facing slopes add even more summer and early season bedding options.
Several annual and perennial food plots are already established across the property, some within CRP and others outside of it, providing consistent food sources throughout the year. If you’re looking for a highly secluded hunting farm that’s still close to town and located in a renowned whitetail area, this is a property you’ll want to see in person.
For more information or to schedule a showing, give me a call—I’d be happy to walk the property with you.
Hersh Smith
Southeast Iowa Land Team
Whitetail Properties Real Estate
PH: 641-931-6884
Summary
Address
Approximate Distances
Property
Land Details
Timber
Tillable
Enrolled in Government Program
Grass
Open
Pond
Utilities
Improvements/Features
Small Game, Big Game, Predators, Fish, Food Plot, Tree Stands/Blinds, Trail Network, Gated Entrance
Details
- Extremely secluded farm with gated access and no road frontage
- Proven trophy whitetail history with multiple Boone and Crockett class bucks roaming the property in the past
- Diverse habitat including hardwood timber, bottomland, native grasses & cedar cover
- Multiple ponds plus Coal Creek providing reliable water sources and fishing options
- Well-established trail system with concrete creek crossing
- CRP income totaling approx. $7,268 annually once fully enrolled
- Additional tillable acres ideal for food plots or cash rent
- Limited hunting pressure with large sanctuary areas
- Electric and rural water on site with ideal cabin or camper location
- Blinds and food plots already in place
- Strong turkey population
- 2 miles to Albia
- 28 miles to Oskaloosa
- 60 miles to Des Moines
Other
Coordinates
Annual Taxes
Nearby Related Properties
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