The Art of Persuasion: Deer Scents, Rattles, and Bleats 
The Art of Persuasion: Deer Scents, Rattles, and Bleats 

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 […]

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Mastering the Fall Fishing Game

Mastering the Fall Fishing Game

Mastering the Fall Fishing Game Fall is quickly approaching, and we feel it all around us. From the shortening of the days to the cool mornings, to the leaves beginning to change on the oaks and the maples. The fish can feel it too. Fall is prime time to catch trophy fish. The fish have […]

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Trout Fishing in Northeast Iowa

Trout Fishing in Northeast Iowa

Trout Fishing in Northeast Iowa Some call it Little Switzerland, others call it river Bluff Country. Apparently, the correct name for it nowadays is The Driftless Region, or more colloquially, The Driftless. Regardless of what you call it, there’s no denying that it is a very special place. It’s a place where it’s very easy […]

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Using Trail Cameras to Target Whitetail

Using Trail Cameras to Target Whitetail

Using Trail Cameras to Target Whitetail If you have read many articles or listened to many podcasts that have featured yours truly, then you have likely heard the story of a buck that was hunted who was affectionately nicknamed “Coondog.” There was nothing super special about this particular buck outside of the fact that he […]

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Should you Hunt in a Tree Sadd;e

Should you Hunt in Tree Saddles

Should you Hunt in Tree Saddles Tree saddles have become a popular choice for hunters seeking a more mobile and versatile way to get elevated in the woods. Here’s a breakdown of their advantages and disadvantages, along with a look at traditional tree stand setups for comparison. Why Hunters Choose Tree Saddles One of the […]

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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.