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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Basics of Fall Channel Cats

Basics of Fall Channel Cats

Basics of Fall Channel Cats It’s been a long summer of catfishing. If you live in the Midwest it has been marred with storms and high water. Nowhere has it been a normal year so to speak but now the fall bite is on the way and this might be just the time of year […]

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Making the Right Decision

Making the Right Decision

Making the Right Decision It had happened before but too quickly. This time, the buck came in downwind, stopped to think about what he was smelling, and I had enough time to take a shot. As I watched the arrow pass into his right side and bury itself under his fur, I knew that it […]

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 A Guide to Choosing the Best Stand Location How Safe is your Treestand

How Safe is your Treestand

How Safe is your Treestand August 10th. It’s hot. And humid. Iowa has turned into a sauna. You surf the web in the A/C after dinner and the 10-day forecast has the first major cold front of the season in it with a high of 65. Instantly your thoughts turn to what the cool weather […]

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Common Myths Concerning Deer Movement Summer Patterning Tips and Tricks

Summer Patterning Tips and Tricks

Summer Patterning Tips and Tricks Independence Day is annually celebrated on July 4th. It is the anniversary of the publication of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain in 1776. Patriotic displays and family events are organized throughout the United States. Fireworks are popped, hotdogs are consumed, and generally a good time is had by […]

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Featured Story

Iowa Public Land Hunting 

Every hunter wants to know where to go to harvest a great deer.  We often assume that there is some “honey hole” spot out there that a person can always go to and harvest a trophy year after year.  While having hope for that, we are always keeping our ears perked for that privileged information on where the best place to hunt would be.   

Now, let me ask you, if somebody had the perfect spot to hunt where they are harvesting trophy deer year after year, do you think that they would share that information with you?  Probably not.  Unless they are VERY gracious and kind.   

In this article, I will not share any “secret spots” with you who are reading.  Frankly, because I don’t have any secret spots to share!  However, I’ve lived in Iowa long enough to steer you to certain areas of our great state that might give you a great chance to fill a tag this fall and winter.  So let’s begin with some regions of the state to key into. 

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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.