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

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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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Favorite May Tackle

Favorite May Tackle 

Favorite May Tackle  May is a great time to get out on the water to chase your favorite species of fish.  May is also a great month to fish if you do not own a boat, as most species can be caught from the shoreline easily.  The cooler water temperatures keep fish coming shallow throughout […]

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Puppy Nutrition

Puppy Nutrition: What you need to Know

Puppy Nutrition  Oxford defines nutrition as “the process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth.” As a dog breeder, I divide puppy nutrition into phases (gestation, milk-only, weaning, and post-weaning). During each phase, a puppy has different nutritional needs and/or nutrition methods.  GESTATION  It might go without saying, but it’s important […]

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Make the most out of Spring Turkey Season

Make the Most of Spring Turkey Season

Make the Most Out of Spring Turkey Season  Turkey season in Iowa is just around the corner, and for hunters, it’s one of the best times of the year. Make sure to make the most of spring turkey season this year. The weather’s warming up, the trees are starting to bloom, and we can see […]

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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.