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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Late Season Ice Fishing Tips

When the going gets Tough on the Ice

When the going gets Tough on the Ice The weekend is upon us and we have the green light for a trip to the ice.  The feeling can be magical on a Friday afternoon. As you drift off in your mind you can see the bluegills piled up beside your bucket, and those big crappies […]

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The Versatility of Retrieving Gun Dogs

The Versatility of Retrieving Gun Dogs

The Versatility of Retrieving Gun Dogs Roughly twenty-five years ago, I made a sales pitch to my parents, asking them if I could purchase a Labrador. To my surprise, they gave me the green light with the condition that I: find a trusted breeder, pay for the dog, and take full responsibility for training the […]

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How ATVs and UTVs Revolutionize Food Plots

How ATVs and UTVs Revolutionize Food Plots

How ATVs and UTVs Revolutionize Food Plots Ask any private-land hunter about the most used tool, there will be several different answers, but without a doubt, an ATV or UTV will be at the top of the list and for a good reason. They are so versatile, and can be used for a myriad of […]

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Supplemental Strategies for Antler Development

Supplemental Strategies for Antler Development: Whitetails 365 

Supplemental Strategies for Antler Development: Whitetails 365 We’re going to head away from January and get ready to enter February. In Iowa, the temperatures can be pretty low, ice and snow storms are still popping up, and can have a detrimental impact on the survival of deer in Iowa. Deer rely on their fat reserves […]

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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.