Check Out Our Current Issue!
In this issue of the Iowa Sportsman October 2025
- 5 Easy Mistakes to Make Fly Fishing for Trout in the Fall
- 10 Beginner Tips for Hunting Iowa Geese
- Deer Scents and Lures
- Early October Hunting Strategies
- Training your Dog to Blood-trail Deer
- Planning a Weeklong Pheasant Trip
- Shooting Optics for the Iowa Hunter
- Top 10 Bowhunting Destinations
- Whitetails 365: Mastering Scent Control
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Training Your Dog for Shed Hunting: Similarities to Your Bird Dog Program
Training Your Dog for Shed Hunting: Similarities to Your Bird Dog Program By Ryan Eder I wanted to continue on the article I submitted last month regarding shed hunting and what it brings to the table for sporting dog owners seeking new activities to do with their dog. Shed hunting is a great sport to […]
READ MORERaps for Trout: Strategies Through the Ice Using Hard Baits
Raps for Trout: Strategies Through the Ice Using Hard Baits By Nick Johnson Two years ago I became acquainted with a method for catching trout through the ice that quickly developed into a go-to strategy. I found success not only locating active fish but tempting skittish biters into taking the bait. I’ve watched a fair […]
READ MORESight For Sore Eyes….
Iowans have a lot to be thankful for. Of course, being a native Iowan, I may be a little biased. Even as ice anglers, Iowans have lots to be thankful for. While Iowa isn’t the “Land of 10,000 Lakes”, we do definitely have some great hardwater fisheries. Probably at the top of my list is […]
READ MOREThe Two “C’s” of Hardwater Fishing
Anyone that has bought a diamond engagement ring is probably familiar with the four “C’s” of diamond grading: cut, clarity, color & carat. These four items are what determine the overall quality of each individual diamond, so diamond shoppers pay very close attention to them. Similar to diamond grading, color & clarity are two very […]
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Featured Story
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 that in the last 40 years, there has been quite a bit of advancement when it comes to hunting whitetails. Knowing more about deer behavior, hunting scents, better tree stands, better bows, guns, and so much more.
I fear that somebody desiring to get into hunting in the current culture could be a bit overwhelmed with all the information and tools that are out there on the market. We must remember that man has been chasing deer for thousands of years. The art of hunting is not new. It’s the methods that are ever-changing.
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.
