Iowa Sportsman

History of the Iowa State Fair

History of the Iowa State Fair

History of the Iowa State Fair How Do You Fair? In 2021, the question begs an answer for many Iowa State Fairgoers – what do they want to eat, see and watch at the internationally-acclaimed event? After postponing in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Iowa State Fair is planning a comeback summer event […]

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Targeting Shallow Weed Walleyes

Targeting Shallow Weed Walleyes Over the 40 plus years that I have lived in northwest Iowa, I’ve enjoyed fishing walleyes on the Iowa Great Lakes. My target lakes have included Big Spirit, East and West Okoboji. For many years, however, I missed a real opportunity during the summer months. After fishing the weed edges in […]

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Jugging for Catfish

Jugging for Catfish “FISH ON! FISH ON!” That phrase struck an adrenaline rush that only two things could ignite, a first kiss and “juggin” for catfish. At that moment every head in every boat turned like a top trying to find that one Gatorade bottle creating a wake across the waters of the Des Moines […]

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A Place For Family and Friends: The Outdoors

A Place for Family and Friends: The Outdoors As a young man growing up in the Loess Hills of western Iowa, I was too busy pursuing teenage interests to realize the beauty the hills had to offer. It wasn’t until I was older and a college student at Mankato State University that I found myself […]

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Deer Scouting 101

Deer Scouting 101 August is here and the impending deer season is rapidly approaching for you! The seconds can’t pass fast enough for us as we await the sunrise of that treasured date. However, there is a lot to do if you are going to enter into the deer season prepared. There is more to […]

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Overseeding Grain Plots: Whitetails 365

Overseeding Grain Plots: Whitetails 365 For the past 30 years or so, I’ve always tried to plant some sort of grain food plot. It has always been my experience that when late season hits, deer will navigate toward standing grain food sources if available. If none are available, then just about any food plot they […]

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Summer Whitetail Food Plots

Whitetails 365 – The Dog Days of Summer

Whitetails 365 – The Dog Days of Summer There is honestly very few things that get me excited about managing my farm in July. Spring planting of food plots and spraying has been completed. Stands are already hung for the most part. Everything is growing in the deer’s realm including fawns and antlers. These are […]

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Wolves in Iowa Then Now

Wolves in Iowa: Then and Now

Wolves in Iowa: Then and Now Minnesota and Wisconsin wolf populations have grown to numbers not seen in over a century when they were nearly hunted and trapped out of existence in the lower 48 states. Each of our neighbors to the north had their first controversial wolf hunting seasons in 2012 since the delisting […]

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Trolling for Walleyes over Weeds

Trolling for Walleyes over the Weeds

Trolling for Walleyes over the Weeds Last August, I had the chance to listen to Jon Thelen, walleye guide and host of Lindy’s Fish Ed Television Series, give a fishing seminar at the Okoboji Blue Water Festival. His topic was “Walleyes in the Weeds,” and I was excited to hear what his thoughts were on […]

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Improving Walleye and Musky Fishing in Iowa Project Update

Improving Walleye and Musky Fishing in Iowa Project Update

Improving Walleye and Musky Fishing in Iowa Walleye always seem to be at the top of our favorite fish to chase here in Iowa. March begins the Walleye spawning run in many rivers and lakes, tempting fishermen and women out of hibernation to chase after them just after ice-out. Musky…the elusive yet hard fighting predatory […]

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