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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Guide to Muzzleloading in Cold Temperatures

Muzzleloading in Cold Temperatures

Guide to Shooting Your Muzzleloader in Cold Temperatures Muzzleloaders were one of our earliest guns, and they still have a special place in the hunting community. The muzzleloaders most of us use today, are in-line and much more accurate than the traditional flintlock muzzleloaders. However, you still need to consider how the colder weather will […]

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Ice Fishing for Pike in the Iowa Great Lakes

Ice Fishing for Pike in the Iowa Great Lakes

Ice Fishing for Pike in the Iowa Great Lakes The Iowa Great Lakes are a group of water bodies located in the Northwest part of the state. Seven lakes in this region comprise the IGL, totaling 12,687 surface acres, with three of these lakes being the principal members of the group. Big Spirit Lake, West […]

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Winter Wonderland in Iowa

Winter Wonderland in Iowa

Winter Wonderland in Iowa In Iowa, we’re blessed to get to experience all four seasons. Right now, Iowa undergoes a stunning transformation when snow blankets the ground. Winter in Iowa creates a magical, quiet “winter wonderland,” where adventures await. The state’s extensive network of parks, trails, and lakes, managed by both the Iowa DNR and […]

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Ringnecks Rise from the Ashes

Ringnecks Rise from the Ashes

Ringnecks Rise from the Ashes By Troy Hoepker I can still see that bird spinning straight upward into the blue sky like it was yesterday. I thought it might never come down! It was hit and sent into a spin yet it continued to gain elevation. If it hadn’t been for my good buddy and […]

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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.