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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Basic Ice Fishing Gear for December Invest in Iowa Made

Invest in Iowa-Made

Invest in Iowa-Made  There’s something awesome about grabbing that perfect fishing rod, lure or jig, and it’s even better knowing it was someone’s dream and built by avid fishermen right here in our own state. Choosing to invest in Iowa-made tackle isn’t just about convenience; it’s an investment in your community, a nod to local […]

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Fishing Traditions

Fishing Traditions

Fishing Traditions  When I was a kid, I was absolutely obsessed with fishing. My dad used to record episodes of “InFisherman” and “Babe Winkleman”, among others, on VHS tapes and I would watch them over and over again. The household laundry basket would be my pretend boat and I would fish around the house tackling […]

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10 Tips for Camping Safety 

10 Tips for Camping Safety 

10 Tips for Camping Safety  Summer in Iowa means camping. And that means it’s time for you to connect with nature and experience the beauty of our state, even if it’s just for a few days. When it comes to camping and prepping for your trip there are some essential steps you should include to […]

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The Welcome Sign is out at Devils Lake

The Welcome Sign is out at Devils Lake

The Welcome Sign is out at Devils Lake  It’s summer. The crops are planted. The kids are out of school. There are no excuses. It’s time to head to Devils Lake, North Dakota and catch some fish.    Do it in your boat with your gear. Or, better yet, leave the boat home and hire […]

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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.