Iowa Sportsman
Simple, Effective Sets for your Trapline
Simple, Effective Sets for your Trapline By JD Rogge One common factor to most successful trapping lines is the ability to deploy a variety of simple yet very effective sets quickly, and with minimal equipment. Trappers at times tend to overcomplicate our craft, as is evident by some of the instructional material in print and […]
READ MORE
Deer Hunting 101: Mentored Deer Hunts
Deer Hunting 101: Mentored Deer Hunts By Ben Leal Alarm clock rings in the background…its 4AM on a Saturday and 10 hunters from Central Iowa are getting up and preparing for their very first attempt at harvesting a deer. Camouflage clothing…check…hunting license…check…extra cloths for warmth…check…okay, time to head on out for a 6AM breakfast and […]
READ MORE
Decoying Waterfowl – Costly Mistakes
Decoying Waterfowl – Costly Mistakes By Nick Johnson Waterfowl hunting as a whole is a pretty straightforward concept. It is the different variables that factor in given the time of season that make it challenging and rewarding, maybe even frustrating. The variables that we cannot control such as weather, migration patterns, hunting pressure and even […]
READ MORE
Something to Consider Before Using an Electronic Collar
Something to Consider Before Using an Electronic Collar By Ryan Eder When it comes to electronic collars for training your dog, there are all kinds of resources available to help you select the right product. Electronic collars come in several different varieties, from several manufacturers and can vary quite a bit in cost as well. […]
READ MORE
The Poor Man’s Bucket List
The Poor Man’s Bucket List By Earl Taylor It is easy to get all juiced up about hunting out west after watching a half hour hunting show where a celebrity hunter whacks a monster bull, buck or ram. Just as in ancient mythology where the Sirens called out to Oedipus to come to their beautiful […]
READ MORE
Icy Water Divers
Icy Water Divers By Nick Johnson The air was frigid…so crisp and so cold that my breath froze to my facial hair in little icy droplets. The only sounds were the gentle gurgling of the river and the occasional crash of a floating ice chunk meeting a brief stopping point on its way down stream. […]
READ MORE
Successful Party Hunting Techniques
Successful Party Hunting Techniques By Jason Smith In the great state of Iowa, we have what is referred to as ‘Party Hunting’, for deer Shotgun 1 and Shotgun 2 seasons. The 2017-18 Iowa DNR Hunting Regulations, Pages 30 & 36, describes ‘Party Hunting’ as: Helping other Hunters Resident and nonresident deer hunters with a valid […]
READ MORE
Purchasing Your Next Camper
Purchasing Your Next Camper By Jessica Graham In 1872, the United States congress recognized the beauty and importance of the nature surrounding us and set aside land which would later be used to establish the world’s first national park, Yellowstone National Park. Since the establishment, thousands of other parks have been established for tourists and […]
READ MORE
Snowmobiles: The New Rage?
Snowmobiles: The New Rage? I am amazed how far snowmobiles and the sport of snowmobiling have come in the 40-ish years since I first threw a leg over one. I remember our old Ski-Doo and Rupp sleds fondly. At the time they seemed powerful, comfortable and agile. Fast forward 40 years and the performance improvements […]
READ MORE
Habitat and Hunting Tools Wishlist: Whitetails 365
Habitat and Hunting Tools Wishlist: Whitetails 365 I know the season isn’t over quite yet, but I’m already looking forward to next year once December comes around. Not that I don’t have big plans most years for late season hunting, but because I’m always looking forward to improve for next year. It’s the exciting thing […]
READ MORE