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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Getting Youth Involved in Pheasant Season

Bird Habitats in Iowa

Bird Habitats in Iowa Iowa’s landscape is home to many bird species. From timber to grasslands and wetlands, different habitats support both migratory and resident birds. These landscapes not only provide food and protection for Iowa’s avian friends, but also benefit water quality through erosion control, water filtration, and pollinator support. Intense agricultural practices have […]

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Walleye Tricks and Tackle Fishing Iowa’s Big Three

Walleye Tricks and Tackle

Walleye Tricks and Tackle Walleye, by far, has to be one of the most sought-after freshwater fish and one that every angler loves to fish fry. There are many great walleye fisheries in the State, along with two of the Nation’s biggest rivers that bookend our State, the Missouri in the west and the Mississippi […]

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How to Grow Giant Whitetails

How to Grow Giant Whitetails: Unlocking the Power of Minerals

How to Grow Giant Whitetails One of my most memorable hunts was a bowhunt several years ago, it was actually my first year bowhunting. I was in Southern Iowa in November, a combination in itself that is going to be a good day hunting no matter the outcome. The moment I stepped into the timber, […]

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Using Burning to Maximize Grasslands

Using Burning to Maximize Grasslands

Using Burning to Maximize Grasslands If you are a fellow ‘90s kid, or raised kids in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s you probably remember the TV blaring out. “He’s on fire!” When you or your kids were playing the classic video game ‘NBA Jam.’ Hearing that phrase in the context of watching one of […]

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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.