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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America’s Duck Factory Host's Cast and Blast

America’s Duck Factory Host’s Cast and Blast

America’s Duck Factory Host’s Cast and Blast Last year hunters and fishermen from 46 states traveled to Woodland Resort on Devils Lake to enjoy morning waterfowl hunts and spectacular walleye fishing. Several area guide services offer similar packages. Some notable observations and predictions from Kyle Blanchfield, 36-year North Dakota waterfowl guide, follow. Non-Resident waterfowl season […]

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Upgrading to a Straight Walled Cartridge

Upgrading to a Straight Walled Cartridge

Upgrading to a Straight Walled Cartridge I was 8 the first time I got to tag along with my dad for the most exciting day of the year: opening day of Iowa’s first shotgun season. This was the day I became hooked on deer hunting. I loved it from the sitting in freezing temperatures in […]

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October Bowhunting Backpack Essentials

October Bowhunting Backpack Essentials

October Bowhunting Backpack Essentials When I hunt, I want to be prepared. There is nothing worse than ending your hunt, not because you are ready, but because you didn’t have a piece of gear to get you through the sit. In October, I’ll bring a pack along to keep my hands free. I used to […]

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Leveraging Conditions for Bowhunting

Whitetails 365: Leveraging Conditions for Bowhunting

Whitetails 365: Weathering The Hunt: Leveraging Conditions for Bowhunting October holds so much hope and excitement for Iowa bowhunters. Finally, the season has opened. You no longer have to scout from afar and can make a plan to hunt. With the transition towards fall, comes a unique set of weather patterns that can significantly impact […]

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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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Created By Iowans, For Iowans

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.