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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Ice Fishing Destinations in Iowa 

Ice Fishing Destinations in Iowa

Ice Fishing Destinations in Iowa  The ice cracked beneath my boots as I took my first step onto the frozen lake, the sound echoing across the quiet winter landscape. My daughter had been excited about this trip all week, as it would be her first time ice fishing, and I was secretly just as eager […]

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How to Process Deer Meat

How to Process Deer Meat

How to Process Deer Meat Processing Equipment  For many deer hunters, the experience of the hunt goes beyond the thrill of the chase and extends into feeding ourselves and our families. Venison is a prized staple in hunters’ diets, and can be enjoyed in many forms throughout the year. From jerky and burgers to roasts […]

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Steps for Maintaining Firearms Long-Term 

Steps for Maintaining Firearms Long-Term 

  Steps for Maintaining Firearms Long-Term    As hunters hang up their gear and reflect on the memories of another successful season, it’s essential to turn our attention to the crucial task of caring for our firearms. Cleaning and storing your guns correctly is not just a matter of maintenance; it’s a responsibility that ensures […]

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Choosing your New Puppy

Your New Puppy Part 3

Your New Puppy Part 3 In the third article of this series we will continue to focus on basic obedience but also build upon our bird and gun introduction that we discussed in part 2. At this point we have a dog crate trained, well socialized, well started on basic obedience (here, heel, sit or […]

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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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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.