Early Spring Trout Fishing
Early Spring Trout Fishing

Early Spring Trout Fishing Spring in Northeast Iowa’s Driftless Region marks the beginning of one of the most rewarding trout fishing seasons in the Midwest. This is one of the prettiest areas in Northern Iowa marked with limestone bluffs, spring-fed creeks, and rolling pastures. The Driftless Region contains a several cold, clear streams that flow steadily year-round. This creates perfect trout habitat, and spring offers fishermen peaceful days on the water. With stable water temperatures, increasing insect activity, and hungry post-winter trout, there’s no better time to explore these legendary streams. Why The Driftless Region? This region is a trout […]

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Shooting Drills for Opening Day Dove & Teal

Shooting Drills for Opening Day Dove & Teal

Shooting Drills for Opening Day Dove & Teal As summer days get shorter and the first hints of autumn appear, we have two seasons approaching: Iowa’s dove and early teal seasons. These are two of the earliest and most challenging wing shooting opportunities for hunters. While doves may seem like small targets, their erratic flight […]

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Protect Crops and Hunt Smarter with Gallagher x Mossy Oak Gamekeepers Deer Fence

Two trusted names in farming and the outdoors come together to protect foodplots, support  wildlife management, and ensure a successful hunting season with foodplot fence.  Kansas City, MO – August 5, 2025, Gallagher, a global leader in electric fencing and land  management innovation, is proud to announce a new partnership with Mossy Oak Gamekeepers, one […]

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Searching for Catfish

Searching for New Cats

Searching for New Cats You are headed to new catfish waters? A river you may never have fished before or maybe it has been ages since you were there. You could also be just trying to work out a new section of your home water to have more options for a quick outing. Whatever your […]

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Hunting Equipment on Budget

Hunting and Habitat Equipment on a Budget

Hunting and Habitat Equipment on a Budget This month I am responding to a question about buying equipment on a budget. Paul from central Iowa asks, “I recently just bought some land for hunting whitetails. My daughter and nephew will be hunting with me. They have been hunting for some time, but I am relatively […]

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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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Created By Iowans, For Iowans

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.