iowa

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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Geographical Whitetail Hideouts and Travel Corridors (Part 1)
Geographical Whitetail Hideouts and Travel Corridors (Part 1) By Jason Smith It’s late-September. You’ve got all of your hunting gear organized and ready to go. Your clothes are clean and scent free, and your boots are well broken in and waterproofed. You’ve spent hours upon hours dialing in your bow and honing your shooting skills […]
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Trolling for Walleyes over the Weeds
Trolling for Walleyes over the Weeds By Steve Weisman 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 […]
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5 Summer Key’s to Fall Success
5 Summer Key’s to Fall Success By Kevin Sturm Over the years my wife may have mentioned to me a time or two that hunting season seems to never end, and after some reflection I would have to say she is exactly right. I have learned over the years, there is a huge difference in […]
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Time for Big Gills
Time for Big Gills By Steve Weisman If you are a kid at heart like I am, now is the time to get after those big bluegills on Iowa’s lakes. It starts a little earlier in the south because the water warms sooner, but it always happens this time of year. About the last week […]
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