Check Out Our Current Issue!
In the May 2026 Issue of the Iowa Sportsman
- Chase the Bite: Early Season
- Calming A Hyper Gun Dog
- Perfecting Your Turkey Setup
- Summer Work That Pays Off in Bow Season
- Artifact Hunting in Iowa
- Wild Edible Foraging
- Tactics for Late-Season Toms
- Iowa’s Venom, Oil and Toxic Sap
Click Here To View This Issue Now!
Wastewater discharge in Fort Dodge reaches Des Moines River
Wastewater discharge in Fort Dodge reaches Des Moines River Article courtesy of Iowa Department of Natural Resources MEDIA CONTACT: Jeremy Klatt, DNR, at 641-425-8042, or Jeremy.Klatt@dnr.iowa.gov DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a wastewater discharge at the City of Fort Dodge in Webster County. On August 28, the DNR Field […]
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How to Make Your Child’s First Hunt a Success
Your Child’s Premier Outing What to think about and consider before you go So the time is finally here! You’re thinking the kids are old enough to go on their first hunt or fishing trip. Or so you hope! Just remember, their first experience might make or break any future times in the timber. If […]
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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
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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Springtime Panfish-Perch, Crappie, and Bluegill
Spring is in full swing here in Iowa, and what can be more pleasant a reminder than the sound of birds, the sight of flowers blooming, and the feel of a warm afternoon? I can think of at least one more thing…Panfish!
I can remember it like yesterday, our family would all meet up at the lake house. There was work to do. The yard was to be picked up, the cabin cleaned, and the dock had to be put in. But then, after the work was finished, it was time for all of us cousins to fish! We would all go out to the garage to pick out a few old rods and tie on a hook and sinker as best we could.
The next order of business was to hunt for worms. Flipping anything that we could find stuck in the ground in hopes of just finding a few crawlers. Once the bait was secured, we were ready to fish. We would go out on the dock and cast, vertical jig, and even troll along the side of the dock. We usually did pretty well use those tactics, but my all-time favorite was walking along the rocks on shore and dropping the bait down every little crevice, not knowing what was going to come up next.
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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.










