Springtime Panfish-Perch, Crappie, and Bluegill
Springtime Panfish

Spring is in full swing here in Iowa, and what can be more pleasant a reminder than the sound of birds, the sight of flowers blooming, and the feel of a warm afternoon? I can think of at least one more thing…Panfish!

Spring is in full swing here in Iowa, and what can be more pleasant a reminder than the sound of birds, the sight of flowers blooming, and the feel of a warm afternoon? I can think of at least one more thing…Panfish! The next order of business was to hunt for worms. Flipping anything that we could find stuck in the ground in hopes of just finding a few crawlers.

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Springtime Panfish

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So you Want to go Elk Hunting...

So you Want to go Elk Hunting…

So you Want to go Elk Hunting… In the May issue of Iowa Sportsman I advised readers, “Don’t put off until tomorrow, that which can be done today. Life is short and none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Instead of talking about that hunting trip out West or fishing trip up North, set a date […]

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Things that Drive Sportsmen Insane

Things that Drive Sportsmen Insane

Things that Drive Sportsmen Insane Iowa Sportsmen are generally a cheerful, dedicated, and passionate bunch. However, some things get under the skin (literally!) of even the most positive hunters and anglers. Following is a list of what drives me crazy in the woods and on the water, and I am certain the majority of you […]

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Topwater Baits 101

Topwater Baits 101

Topwater Baits 101 The topwater bait is no doubt the most fun way to catch bass. Over the last century topwater baits have probably hooked more anglers than any other kind of fishing lure. When used under the right circumstances these baits can consistently bring bass in all day long. I hope this article will […]

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Summer Prep For Fall Hunting

Summer Prep For Fall Hunting: Whitetails 365

Summer Prep For Fall Hunting: Whitetails 365 As a year-round deer hunter, I don’t consider the legal season opener as the start of my hunting season. In fact, there is no start for many whitetail hunters like myself who have never stopped. On the last day of the legal season to hunt, I am already […]

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Featured Story

Big Buck Profile: The 2025 Gandy Buck

Ok, this first big buck profile is a little self-serving in that it is of a buck that I personally took this past deer season. While it is likely not the “biggest” big buck that we will profile this year it is definitely one of my most special deer ever.

Turning a Dream into Reality

As has been noted in several articles since 2023, my family and I finally put together the means to purchase our very own piece of Iowa ground. “The 32,” as we call it, has become a passion project to see if we could take an unassuming piece of real estate and harvest a mature deer from there by giving him all he needs in the way of habitat. This year was the first year that the farm would be huntable in the state in which we intended due to construction projects over the past couple of seasons.

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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.