Iowa’s Venom, Oil and Toxic Sap
Iowa’s Venom, Oil and Toxic Sap

I once struck up a conversation with a man from Australia and while talking I asked him the question most people want to know about Australians, “how many times have you been bitten by one of your crazy spiders you have down there?” His answer was shocking, “Oh not many, probably less than 20 times.”

I once struck up a conversation with a man from Australia and while talking I asked him the question most people want to know about Australians, “how many times have you been bitten by one of your crazy spiders you have down there?” His answer was shocking, “Oh not many, probably less than 20 times.” My coworker and I laughed in horror and amazement and counted our blessing of living in the relatively venom free state of Iowa.

I once struck up a conversation with a man from Australia and while talking I asked him the question most people want to know about Australians, “how many times have you been bitten by one of your crazy spiders you have down there?” His answer was shocking, “Oh not many, probably less than 20 times.” My coworker and I laughed in horror and amazement and counted our blessing of living in the relatively venom free state of Iowa. But only relatively venom free, within Iowa’s borders there are a handful of flora and fauna that if encountered can leave an unlucky Iowan itchy, burning, swollen, scarred and in the worst of scenarios, permanently incapacitated or dead.

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Dangerous Plants and Animals in Iowa

Check Out Our Current Issue!

The Triton Buck – a Rut Story 

The Triton Buck – a Rut Story 

The Triton Buck – a Rut Story  “What is your favorite time of year?” this question has rang out many times throughout my life. I’ve had the same answer since I was 10 years old—late October/early November, aka the rut. I have been fortunate enough to experience many incredible moments from a tree stand this […]

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Optimal Stand Placement

Optimal Stand Placement

Optimal Stand Placement  As one season of hunting ends, most hunters begin to think of the next season within a few short days.  That’s just what hunters do.  It’s built-in.  We are always looking ahead to the next hunt, the next season, the next opportunity to do the same thing all over again! Moreover, within […]

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Saddle Hunting For Those Who Say They Never Will 

Saddle Hunting For Those Who Say They Never Will 

Saddle Hunting for Those Who Say They Never Will  “I’m all about mobile hunting, but I ain’t wearing a diaper.” This is a statement I once heard on a hunting podcast and the sentiment stuck with me as I watched other hunters on TV and YouTube channels who included saddles in their mobile hunting setup. […]

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The Status of Mountain Lions in Iowa 

The Status of Mountain Lions in Iowa 

The Status of Mountain Lions in Iowa  The definition of an enigma is a person or a thing that is mysterious, puzzling or difficult to understand. Perhaps one of the greatest enigmas Iowans puzzle over is the mountain lion’s population within our borders at any one time. From local coffee shop banter all the way […]

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Featured Story

Springtime Panfish-Perch, Crappie, and Bluegill

Spring is in full swing here in Iowa, and what can be more pleasant a reminder than the sound of birds, the sight of flowers blooming, and the feel of a warm afternoon? I can think of at least one more thing…Panfish!

I can remember it like yesterday, our family would all meet up at the lake house. There was work to do. The yard was to be picked up, the cabin cleaned, and the dock had to be put in. But then, after the work was finished, it was time for all of us cousins to fish! We would all go out to the garage to pick out a few old rods and tie on a hook and sinker as best we could.

The next order of business was to hunt for worms. Flipping anything that we could find stuck in the ground in hopes of just finding a few crawlers. Once the bait was secured, we were ready to fish. We would go out on the dock and cast, vertical jig, and even troll along the side of the dock. We usually did pretty well use those tactics, but my all-time favorite was walking along the rocks on shore and dropping the bait down every little crevice, not knowing what was going to come up next.

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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.