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In this issue of the Iowa Sportsman October 2025
- 5 Easy Mistakes to Make Fly Fishing for Trout in the Fall
- 10 Beginner Tips for Hunting Iowa Geese
- Deer Scents and Lures
- Early October Hunting Strategies
- Training your Dog to Blood-trail Deer
- Planning a Weeklong Pheasant Trip
- Shooting Optics for the Iowa Hunter
- Top 10 Bowhunting Destinations
- Whitetails 365: Mastering Scent Control
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Dove Opener Countdown
Dove Opener Countdown If you’re looking for something fun to do with your dog before the upland and/or waterfowl seasons open, you should consider dove hunting. Forty-one of the lower forty-eight states have a dove season. Pursuing doves creates high demands for our dogs. The hunts are action-packed, especially if you’re in a hot field. […]
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Fall Fishing in Iowa
Fall Fishing in Iowa Iowa, nature begins to transition from summer to fall. As the water temperatures drop, fish know that colder weather and winter are not far off. The coming chill will have most predatory fish on the prowl, fattening up before Mother Nature slows things down for them. Weather Like all of Iowa’s […]
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5 Hacks for Bass Fishing with Plastics
5 Low Tech Hacks for Soft Plastics and Bass ‘Hacks’ nowadays are defined as a clever solution to a problem. In an era of high-tech gadgetry and complex rigging options here are five decidedly low-tech ideas to consider when fishing soft plastic lures for Largemouth Bass (and other species as well). I have gathered these […]
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Types of Sportsmen
Types of Sportsman Sportsmen and women come in all different shapes, sizes, ages, etc. We have our own individual personalities that make us each unique. We come from different walks of life. Work different types of careers or go to different schools. Have different political and religious views. etc. It seems, at times; about the […]
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The Art of Persuasion: Deer Scents, Rattles, and Bleats
In the 80’s, my father and grandfather were “entry-level” deer hunters. They had been invited to begin hunting a timber here in central Iowa that had a steady population of deer. In their efforts to learn more regarding the tactics to use to fool a wise old whitetail, my grandfather and father would douse their boots with fox urine! It was an effort to hide human scent when they were in the woods. It goes without saying that those boots were not allowed in the house, ever!
There is no doubt that in the last 40 years, there has been quite a bit of advancement when it comes to hunting whitetails. Knowing more about deer behavior, hunting scents, better tree stands, better bows, guns, and so much more.
I fear that somebody desiring to get into hunting in the current culture could be a bit overwhelmed with all the information and tools that are out there on the market. We must remember that man has been chasing deer for thousands of years. The art of hunting is not new. It’s the methods that are ever-changing.
Created By Iowans, For Iowans
The Iowa Sportsman website and magazine are Iowa’s only privately owned media sources catering to hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts here in Iowa. Simply put, we are unlike other Iowa outdoor media sources: All our staff is from Iowa, from our publisher to our writers. We actually follow through on what we advertise; we provide knowledgeable content from people who know the industry or sport discussed.