Property/Gear
The Inkpaduta Canoe Trail
The Inkpaduta Canoe Trail “I would say the river is too low to have an enjoyable float.” These were the disappointing words spoken to me by Cherokee County Naturalist and Assistant Director Laura Jones. Having planned a canoe trip on the Little Sioux River through Clay, O’Brien, Cherokee, and Woodbury counties in early May. I […]
READ MORE
The Spawn Of Catfish
The Spawn Of Catfish If there is one time of the catfishing season that delivers the most complaints, the most negative attitude and the most arguments about how to catch a channel catfish, it is the spawn and the post spawn. These times happen every year whether we like it or not and there are […]
READ MORE
The Lone Star Tick and Alpha-Gal
The Lone Star Tick and Alpha-Gal You may think this is a story involving two characters in heroic quests in the outdoors. I can assure you, there is nothing fun about this duo. Anyone that spends very much time outside understands what it is to have a tick bite. In Iowa, we usually deal with […]
READ MORE
The 5 W’s of Hunting Shed Antlers
The 5 W’s of Hunting Shed Antlers Well that’s a wrap. The hunger games between man and the antlered beasts of the timber have come to a close. For many hunters, a nice trophy set of antlers will be boasted upon their return from the taxidermist. For others, the tears of agony are drying up […]
READ MORE
Suppressors in Iowa: What Buyers Should Know
Suppressors in Iowa: What Buyers Should Know In the time that suppressors were legal in Iowa, many Iowans have purchased suppressors. Those same Iowans have moaned and groaned about the lengthy and arduous process associated with a purchase like this. Iowa isn’t an “NFA” friendly state. The National Firearms Act (NFA) regulated and federalized record […]
READ MORE
Planning a Switchgrass Planting: Whitetails 365
Planning a Switchgrass Planting: Whitetails 365 A switchgrass planting (warm season grass) is the fastest way I know of to create a visual barrier or security cover. And unlike other plantings, it is long lasting. A switchgrass planting can last for many years, is relatively maintenance free once established, and is fairly inexpensive to establish. […]
READ MORE
Targeting Northern Pike on the Iowa Great Lakes
Targeting Northern Pikes on the Iowa Great Lakes The Iowa Great Lakes is an ice fishing destination for both Iowa anglers and out-of-staters. After all, there is great walleye fishing and panfishing (perch, bluegill and crappie). If an angler is interested, there are also shallows teeming with largemouth bass that will readily attack smaller panfish […]
READ MORE
Camper Buying Guide: RV Features and Camping Tips
Camper Buying Guide: RV Features, Floor Plans, and Camping Tips In 1872, the United States congress recognized the beauty and importance of the nature surrounding us and set aside land which would later be used to establish the world’s first national park, Yellowstone National Park. Since the establishment, thousands of other parks have been established […]
READ MORE
Habitat and Hunting Tools Wishlist: Whitetails 365
Habitat and Hunting Tools Wishlist: Whitetails 365 I know the season isn’t over quite yet, but I’m already looking forward to next year once December comes around. Not that I don’t have big plans most years for late season hunting, but because I’m always looking forward to improve for next year. It’s the exciting thing […]
READ MORE
Early Tactics for Full Buckets
Early Tactics for Full Buckets Once the calendar turns to November, anglers in the Ice Belt begin praying for several sub-freezing days and nights to get that first sold ice on fishable waters. Here on the Iowa Great Lakes that can be early as Thanksgiving but most usually around the middle of December. Now that […]
READ MORE