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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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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Taxidermy Field Tips for Better Mounts The Dangers with Being too Good

Taxidermy Field Tips for Better Mounts

Taxidermy Field Tips for Better Mounts Undoubtedly, over a lifetime of angling or hunting, you will haul in that trophy. That could be a once-in-a-lifetime fish, or a giant whitetail buck will fall to your arrow. It could be your first turkey or the first for your son or daughter. Or it could be something […]

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Freedom Rock Destinations

Freedom Rock Destinations

Freedom Rock Destinations With the original Freedom Rock, south of Interstate-80 off the Greenfield exit, Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II, strives to give Veterans a unique recognition. The idea was inspired by both Senator Grassley and journalist Kyle Munson. Sorensen has traveled the state of Iowa the past decade or so, to put a (smaller and […]

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2023-24 Iowa Whitetail Report

2023-24 Iowa Whitetail Report

2023 Iowa Whitetail Deer Report The 2023/2024 whitetail deer season would be considered by man to be nothing but ordinary. On opening day, October 1, 2023, central Iowa was greeted with an 88-degree day. That warm trend continued with high temps ranging from the 50s to the mid-70s. On the 27th of the month, 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.