Reflections on Deer Season
Reflections on Deer Season

Reflections on Deer Season Hunting season, for us, is more than just chasing whitetails or birds; it’s our escape button. It gives us a much-needed chance for escape and an opportunity to connect with God, nature, as well as friends and family. Hunting is how we finally slow down, take a solid break from the office grind, and ditch the electronics. My first memories in the timber aren’t solitary, they’re crowded. I learned the ropes by tagging along with Dad, Grandpa, and the uncles. Those hunts were memorable, and some I wish to relive. They’re full of crunching boots, and […]

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Summer Hunter's Checklist Timber Stand Improvement The Wild Past of Iowa

Whitetails 365: Summer Hunter’s Checklist

Whitetails 365: Summer Hunter’s Checklist For most Iowans, this time of year is time for barbecues, swimming pools, and lazy afternoons. But for a hunter, our brains are keyed in on hunting, and we’re continuously thinking about how we can improve our land and get ready for deer season 2025. Use this time as a […]

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How to Break Bad Archery Habits

How to Break Bad Archery Habits Several years ago, I used to go to several archery shoots through the summer. It was a time to hone-in my archery skills, relax, and prepare for the upcoming archery season. For me, archery is my passion and summer is a prime time for preparation, and to sharpen archery […]

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Spring Walleye in Iowa

Spring Walleye in Iowa

  Spring Walleye in Iowa As winter begins to lose its hold on much of Iowa, anglers focus on spring fishing throughout the state. For the most part, by April, ice has all but left the lakes, and there is an influx of freshwater bringing in nutrients as well as tasty morsels in the form […]

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Firearm Safety and Gear

Firearm Safety and Gear

Firearm Safety and Gear When it comes to firearm safety and gear, it should be the core foundation built into every move you make.  Think of it this way: you’re not just protecting yourself, you’re part of a community, and everyone’s safety depends on everyone else doing their part.  So, whether you’re a seasoned pro […]

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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.