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 Must-haves

Ice Fishing Must-Haves

Ice Fishing Must-Haves What do you consider are some of the most essential ice fishing items needed for your fishing excursions? As you prepare for a day out on the ice or even a trip to an ice fishing destination, there are items on your packing list that, in all likelihood, are always on the […]

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Expert Advice for Bowhunting November

Expert Advice for Bowhunting November

Expert Advice for Bowhunting November November marks what could be called the most special month of the year in the deer woods. The rut comes into full swing and love crazed bucks can find themselves throwing caution to the wind. The opening for breeding seems to be fairly short for bucks so asserting dominance over […]

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2024 Rut Forecast

2024 Rut Forecast

2024 Rut Forecast As bowhunters, we live for the month of November! The rut, though unpredictable, kicks up and our chances of seeing elusive bucks goes up dramatically as they start becoming more active in the daylight hours. The whitetail rut is a complex and dynamic process, and the timing can vary slightly from year […]

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Basic trapping tactics

Basic Trapping Tactics

Basic Trapping Tactics I remember those days. Thirty years ago, everyone was trapping. It was a way of life, a tradition passed down from generation to generation. Every morning, I’d wake up with a sense of anticipation. The thrill of the chase, the excitement of the unknown. Would I have fooled an animal? Would I […]

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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.