The Art of Persuasion: Deer Scents, Rattles, and Bleats 
The Art of Persuasion: Deer Scents, Rattles, and Bleats 

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 […]

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Get Ready for Pheasant Season 2025
Get Ready for Pheasant Season 2025

Analyze Past Data  First of all, I like to know a little about the pheasant population before going out. If numbers are strong, I can expect to see some good numbers on public or private land. If numbers are down, I might expect to see fewer pheasants, and I might not be disappointed if I’m headed home empty-handed. One of the ways to get a good feel for the pheasant population is to review the data from the last few Iowa DNR Roadside Studies. Every year during the first part of August, the DNR travels gravel roads and reports on […]

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Mistakes to Avoid while Fly Fishing Trout
Mistakes to Avoid while Fly Fishing Trout

Mistakes to Avoid while Fly Fishing Trout As anglers, we all know how much fun it is to fool a fish into taking an artificial bait. We tease bass, walleye, northern pike, and musky with flashy baits and plastic that mimic their primary forage. When it comes to fly-fishing for trout in a cold-water stream that’s constantly moving, you add a whole new set of challenges. Trout are incredibly finicky at times, and your fly presentation must be spot on, looking as natural as the real bugs they feast on. However, there’s nothing more rewarding than lifting that fly line […]

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My Favorite Smallmouth Bass Techniques
My Favorite Smallmouth Bass Techniques

My Favorite Smallmouth Bass Techniques As a child growing up, my summer vacations were filled with fishing adventures, from the local lakes and creeks to our annual family vacation to Catch’N Fish resort on Big Bass Lake (seriously, that was the name of the place).  Early mornings in the pre-dawn hours, the dads would load up the boats and go after walleyes.  For years, I was “too young” to go out with them and had to wait for the afternoon trip to go out with the family and fish for panfish. In order to occupy myself, I roamed the resort’s […]

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Fall Fishing in Iowa: What to Target, What to Use
Fall Fishing in Iowa: What to Target, What to Use

The cooler fall mornings are always a welcome feeling after a long, hot summer.  This time of year always excites me as the cooler temperatures get a few species fired up.  Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and walleye love the cooler temperatures and are ready to feed in area lakes and rivers.  Let’s dive into some fall fishing tips, and baits that will fool these fish this time of the year. Water Transitions As the calendar turns to a different month our Iowa waterways are turning into something new as well.  The colder temperatures are changing the environment of the fish […]

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Check Out Our Current Issue!

Chilly Open Water Cats

Chilly Open Water Cats Spring is here (or should) be. After a long winter we all are ready to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. The ice is off but the water is still cold. It is not yet pre spawn yet catfish are starting to come alive. Spring brings new life to everything […]

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5 Steps for an Easy DIY European Mount

5 Steps for an Easy DIY European Mount

5 Steps for an Easy DIY European Mount As a native Iowan I am reminded how blessed I am every October when I begin pursuing whitetails in a state notorious for producing trophy class deer. Once the hunt is over, when we have harvested a mature buck, we seek a way to preserve the memories […]

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Supercharged Shore Fishing

Supercharged Shore Fishing

Supercharged Shore Fishing I imagine your first fishing experience was similar to my own. You most likely were equipped with a button cast reel already spooled with cheap, monofilament line that was better suited for hog tying your tackle box or twisting itself into an impossible knot than it was for helping drag in a […]

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The Do’s and Don’ts of Turkey Season

The Do’s and Don’ts of Turkey Season The lull of winter is in full swing for me. Fall/winter hunting seasons have all closed and I am finding myself anticipating the next best thing. Turkey season! My mind has shifted. In my daydreaming I now see episodes of turkey hunts. When I’m driving to and from […]

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Featured Story

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.

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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.