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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When will the Rut Start

Whitetails 365: When will the Rut Start?

Whitetails 365: When will the Rut Start? For a long time now, science has debunked pretty much every attempt by hunters, outdoor writers, and TV personalities who have claimed to have an angle on predicting the whitetail rut. Well, keep reading because this hunter (that would be me) has a new take on predicting a […]

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Summer Prep for Trapping Season Success

Summer Prep for Trapping Season Success

Summer Prep for Trapping Season Success A successful trapper never stops learning or pursuing to be more successful. And a successful trapper is an efficient trapper. As I think about some of my first years trapping, I remember putting down a bunch of traps, driving a bunch of miles, and using up lots of hours […]

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Fishing for the Predator of Predators: The Muskie

Fishing for the Predator of Predators: The Muskie

Fishing for the Predator of Predators: The Muskie Mention the fall season and you’ll find anglers going after all kinds of fish: walleyes, largemouth and smallmouth bass, perch and other panfish. However, there is a group of anglers that go after the top of the food chain, the predator of predators…the muskellunge. For years, it […]

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A Flight of Passage

A Flight of Passage!

A Flight of Passage! It starts with a change. That first real bite of cold in early fall when the leaves have barely started to turn and daylight periods grow shorter. It isn’t a rapid change, but more of a coaxing that sends those first early migrants on their southward journey. Waterfowlers sense this as […]

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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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