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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Youth Deer Hunting

Youth Deer Hunting – A Father/Daughter Perspective

Youth Deer Hunting – A Father/Daughter Perspective Many of our family’s greatest memories are made in the outdoors. For as long as they can remember, my daughters have watched me prepare to go and return from hunting, and occasionally bring home wild game. About five years ago, my oldest daughter, Hope, asked if she could […]

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February Coyote Calling

February Coyote Calling

February Coyote Calling When the calendar flips to November bowhunters in Iowa feel the magic in the air of the whitetail breeding season kicking into full swing. The majestic bucks that dreams are made of seem to be everywhere. For coyote hunters that magical time of year is late January into February. It means coyotes […]

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Combat Cabin Fever with Outdoor Activities

Combat Cabin Fever with Outdoor Activities

Combat Cabin Fever with Outdoor Activities The winter lull has hit and those of us who love the outdoors sit there wondering, “Now what do I do?” The hunting season has closed, spring Turkey season doesn’t open for a few months, and you are itching to do something outside but you just don’t know what […]

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Fishing Late Season Ice

Fishing Late Season Ice

Fishing Late Season Ice February is the time of year when, in Iowa, most outdoor sports and recreation shows are taking place, giving reason for the thoughts of open water. Reality soon sets in as you peer out the window and see a blanket of snow covering much of the ground and fishing boats remain […]

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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.