Iowa Sportsman

Conquering Coyote Hunting Scenarios

Conquering Common Coyote Hunting Scenarios A coyote’s notorious ability for escaping trouble is somewhat legendary and if you hunt them very long at all you’ll witness their gifted talent over and over. But the more experience you get at seeing coyotes approach and knowing their habits, the less they will escape. Whether you’re a regular […]

Weather the Ice: How Weather affects Ice Fishing

Weather the Ice: How Weather affects Ice Fishing Most of us only think of weather and how it affects fish behavior in terms of open water. Up until recent years I gave little to no thought about weather patterns and fishing strategies on the ice. Shame on me for neglecting such factors because weather does […]

Trapping Ol’ Bucktooth

Trapping Ol’ Bucktooth Beaver, by far, are some of my favorite animals to trap. For the most part, they aren’t that difficult to locate. They leave quite a bit of tell-tale signs. I have yet to have a farmer tell me that he didn’t want beaver removed from his property. So getting access to trap […]

Using a camera to down-view

Using a camera to down-view By Steve Weisman Yes, it’s true. During the winter, I am a sight fishing fanatic. To me, it’s part of the rush: to suddenly see a fish or several fish come toward the bait. Plus, sight fishing helps me to see exactly what my presentation is, so I can get […]

Using Your Eyes to Catch Fish

Using Your Eyes to Catch Fish My favorite ice fishing occurs when I can sight fish, actually watch the action below the ice with my own eyes. To me, it’s the ultimate. To be able to watch the fish approach the lure, to see its response to the presentation and then (hopefully) the resulting strike […]

Winter Training Drills for Gundogs

Winter Training Drills for Gundogs Do not let the winter season be an excuse to not train your dog. Are you catching onto my theme this year? There are several things we can do with our dogs during the winter months (aside from hunting) to not only keep our dogs sharp, but continue to advance […]

Winter Panfish Preview on the Iowa Great Lakes

Winter Panfish Preview on the Iowa Great Lakes With the entire open water panfishing so outstanding on the Iowa Great Lakes, ice fishermen can hardly wait to see what the hard water season will bring. Big Spirit, East Okoboji, Upper Gar, Minnewashta and West Okoboji consistently produced excellent panfishing action all summer. From perch, to […]

Waterfowl Biologist Orrin Jones – Podcast

For the Love of the Hunt

For the Love of the Hunt One of the most enjoyable parts of hunting pheasants is hunting with a good hunting dog. Without one, it’s like trying to find the proverbial “needle in a haystack,” especially when hunting some of the massive public hunting areas around here. Filled with lots of good habitat, I’ve often […]

Key In On These Coyote Habits

Key In On These Coyote Habits Coyotes are mysterious creatures certainly! The subject of folklore and myth, they represent the very epitome of stealth and sly. As secretive as they are however, they have routines and habits just like all animals that make them vulnerable to the hunter and trapper alike. Consistently taking coyotes by […]