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 […]

Read more

Check Out Our Current Issue!

Turkey Taking Tips: From some “Not-so-Pro” Hunters! Reasons why you won't Harvest a Turkey this Year

Reasons why you won’t Harvest a Turkey this Year

Reasons why you won’t Harvest a Turkey this Year I’m already playing the hunt over and over in my mind. Knowing that in a few short months, I will be back in the timbers coaxing a big Iowa Eastern steadily towards me as he continues to thunder his call over and over in response to […]

READ MORE
Creating a Thriving Deer Food Plot in the Timber

Creating A Thriving Deer Food Plot in the Timber: Whitetails 365 

Creating A Thriving Deer Food Plot in the Timber: Whitetails 365  As hunters, some of our favorite stands are in the timber, and most of us would rather be in the timber, right in the middle of a deer’s habitat. The crunchy fall leaves and the scent of acorns falling draw both hunter and deer. […]

READ MORE
Exploring Iowa's Waterways Overlooked Fishing Destinations in Iowa

Exploring Iowa’s Waterways

Exploring Iowa’s Waterways Iowa, the “land of rolling hills and friendly smiles,” also boasts a hidden gem – a network of water trails waiting to be explored. These marked and maintained routes navigate rivers, lakes, and canals, offering paddlers, canoers, and other boaters a unique perspective on the state’s natural beauty and history. Whether you’re […]

READ MORE
Habitat for the Birds Comparing Pheasant Hunting Opportunities: South Dakota Public or Iowa Private

Habitat for the Birds

Habitat for the Birds How was your pheasant and quail season? Great, mediocre, disappointing? If you were disappointed, I’m guessing, it’s because you only flushed a few birds or because you should’ve dusted off your wingshooting skills a little better before the season. Practicing with some clays in the offseason is up to you, but […]

READ MORE

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. 

READ FULL STORY

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.