Iowa Sportsman

Reflections on Deer Season

Reflections on Deer Season Hunting season, for us, is more than just chasing whitetails or birds; it’s our escape button. It gives us a much-needed chance for escape and an opportunity to connect with God, nature, as well as friends and family. Hunting is how we finally slow down, take a solid break from the […]

Ice Fishing Rivers in Iowa

Ice Fishing Rivers in Iowa There are only a couple of rivers in Iowa that you might consider ice fishing; those along the east and west borders of our state. Including, the Mississippi River along the eastern border and the Missouri River along the west. “There really isn’t the habitat for ice fishing on the […]

Hunting Late Season Roosters

Hunting Late Season Roosters The diesel pickup rumbled down the county road, snow swirling in the headlights. December in Iowa meant the end of the season was coming, and the weather had finally turned nasty Beside me sat Gunner, my two-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer vibrating with energy in the passenger seat. Now, it is about […]

Beginner Mistakes in Coyote Trapping

Avoid These Mistakes Made by Beginning Coyote Trappers Coyote trapping is both a challenge and an art that it seems fewer and fewer people tackling. To coyote trap, you need a few supplies as well as some woodmanship skills, patience, and meticulous attention to detail. For the new trapper, it can be tough to outsmart […]

Late Season Hail Mary

Late Season Hail Mary Late season whitetail hunting in Iowa can be incredibly productive, and for me, this is when I see the big bucks. The ones that have eluded myself and the neighbors, the ones that seemed nocturnal now are moving during the day. This is the time when you can get that trophy […]

Late Winter Gun Dog Care

Late Winter Gun Dog Care Call me crazy, but I prefer cooler weather over hot weather. Unless I’m at the beach on a winter vacation. Before you start hating on me, I don’t like days where the temps consistently hang below freezing. I definitely don’t like the week-long below-zero cold snap Iowa seems to bring […]

Muzzleloading in Cold Temperatures

Guide to Shooting Your Muzzleloader in Cold Temperatures Muzzleloaders were one of our earliest guns, and they still have a special place in the hunting community. The muzzleloaders most of us use today, are in-line and much more accurate than the traditional flintlock muzzleloaders. However, you still need to consider how the colder weather will […]

Ice Fishing for Pike in the Iowa Great Lakes

Ice Fishing for Pike in the Iowa Great Lakes The Iowa Great Lakes are a group of water bodies located in the Northwest part of the state. Seven lakes in this region comprise the IGL, totaling 12,687 surface acres, with three of these lakes being the principal members of the group. Big Spirit Lake, West […]

Winter Wonderland in Iowa

Winter Wonderland in Iowa In Iowa, we’re blessed to get to experience all four seasons. Right now, Iowa undergoes a stunning transformation when snow blankets the ground. Winter in Iowa creates a magical, quiet “winter wonderland,” where adventures await. The state’s extensive network of parks, trails, and lakes, managed by both the Iowa DNR and […]

Ringnecks Rise from the Ashes

Ringnecks Rise from the Ashes By Troy Hoepker I can still see that bird spinning straight upward into the blue sky like it was yesterday. I thought it might never come down! It was hit and sent into a spin yet it continued to gain elevation. If it hadn’t been for my good buddy and […]

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