Iowa Sportsman
The Iowa Whitetail Rut Arsenal
The Rut Arsenal The whitetail deer can be illusive, stealthy, and undoubtedly a challenge. However, we have many products to make hunting deer a bit easier. Whether it is scent covers and attractants, realistic calls, or visually accurate decoys, we have an arsenal at our fingertips to bring whitetails straight to us. Knowing when and […]
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Yellow Bass: Iowans Hate to love Panfish
Yellow Bass: Iowans Hate to love Panfish Iowa has a love-hate relationship with the yellow bass. On one hand they’re plentiful, fun to catch and make delicious table fare. On the other hand, in many instances, they’re an invasive species and out-compete other panfish like crappies and bluegills…even largemouth bass. They are prolific breeders so […]
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Tactics for Targeting Trophy Walleyes in the Fall
Targeting Trophy Walleyes in the Fall There is an old fishing adage that fall is prime time to catch trophy walleyes! For Shane Akin, full time guide in northwest Iowa and owner of Great Lakes Guide Service, that old adage is the truth. “There is no doubt that all gamefish put on the feedbag in […]
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The Cost of Getting into Ice Fishing
The Cost of Getting into Ice Fishing Last year’s pandemic was a boon for people heading to the outdoors. It was the one place that was safe. Fishing numbers and licenses in the state of Iowa were up by over 50 percent. Some were anglers getting back into the sport of fishing, while others were […]
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Importance of Harvesting Wisely
Importance of Harvesting Wisely Growing up, my deer hunting experiences consisted of the same group of guys gathering early at a farm for opening day of shotgun season. We’d plug in crock pots in the garage which would become the gathering area for the next four or five days as we hunted. A variety of […]
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On The Hunt For Quail
On The Hunt For Quail As my hunt for a covey came nearer to its conclusion, I noticed the sky beginning to clear to the west under the overcast blanket of clouds above me. Just then, the sun’s powerful rays peeked below the cloud line as it came closer to setting and merging with the […]
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Thinking Small
Thinking Small Hunting in Iowa has changed significantly during my lifetime. Four decades ago wild turkey and deer were scarce or non-existent in much of the state. Most hunters started out shooting squirrels and rabbits before moving on to pheasants and/or waterfowl. Only then did they graduate to larger game, if they had access to […]
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What Would You Do? Bow Hunting Questions Answered
What Would You Do? Bow Hunting Questions Answered It is time for our annual questions and answers article geared around bow hunting here in Iowa. Normally we answer questions from our readers on hot topics in the deer hunting realm. For example a question we always get is “Should I hunt stand “X” before the […]
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Voyageurs National Park Is A Winter Wonderland
Voyageurs National Park Is a Winter Wonderland Voyageurs National Park cloaked in its winter array is a beautiful, dramatic landscape of glistening snow, frozen lakes and frost-glazed pines. There are few places to experience a winter vista largely free of roads and buildings, and it’s worth a trip to Voyageurs, along Minnesota’s northern border, to […]
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Whitetails 365 – Aim Small/Miss Small
Whitetails 365 – Aim Small/Miss Small If you’ve never been there, you’re lucky! But most archery hunters have experienced that deep guttural feeling when you release an arrow only to see it drive into a deer way off mark. That sick feeling knowing you didn’t make a good shot. Will you find the deer? Will […]
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