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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Best Tips to Catch More Spring Bass You want to be a Fishing Guide

Best Tips to Catch More Spring Bass

Best Tips to Catch More Spring Bass Spring bass fishing can present its challenges, especially for northern states, like Iowa, which tend to experience a wide range of temperature swings coming off ice-out into mid-spring. Those anglers that get out and really look for them, however, are often rewarded with some of the heaviest bass […]

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Essential Equipment for Iowa Acreages

Essential Equipment for Iowa Acreages A few years ago, my husband and I finally made the move to a small acreage. Our property has about half pasture and half timber ground. We had big plans to transform it into a wildlife mecca. As an Iowan, it’s essential to have the right machinery and equipment to […]

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Is Trail Camera Technology Ethical

Is Trail Camera Technology Ethical: Whitetails 365

Is Trail Camera Technology Ethical: Whitetails 365 The use of trail cameras in hunting raises ethical considerations. Some argue that trail cameras can give hunters an unfair advantage, as they allow hunters to monitor game movement and behavior in a way that would not be possible without the camera. Another ethical consideration is the impact […]

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Tactics for Calling Shy Toms

Tactics for Calling Shy Toms This hunt is going to be over before even starts! One of the best feelings is when the tom in the tree a hundred yards in front of you is hammering at everything from songbirds to the soft tree yelps you are throwing at him. Ten minutes later, you hear […]

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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.