Iowa
Know your oaks: Increase your acorn IQ to become a better deer hunter
You don’t have to hunt deer long to realize that oak trees, and the acorns they drop each fall, are hugely important to whitetails. And many hunters know that most oak trees fall into one of two main families: red oaks and white oaks.
Both tree types are critical sources of deer food, so being able to identify tree species and their acorns can result in better deer hunting and more venison on your table. Here’s what you need to know.
For those willing to hike, Iowa’s South Skunk Wildlife Area offers off-the-beaten-path experience
A 40-foot strip of wild plum-lined land leads from the one-and-only parking lot on the
Iowans say camping is their favorite outdoor activity in state fair survey
Camping is the outdoor activity of choice for Iowans.
That’s the opinion of visitors who
Know your oaks: Increase your acorn IQ to become a better deer hunter
You don’t have to hunt deer long to realize that oak trees, and the acorns they drop each fall, are hugely important to whitetails. And many hunters know that most oak trees fall into one of two main families: red oaks and white oaks.
Both tree types are critical sources of deer food, so being able to identify tree species and their acorns can result in better deer hunting and more venison on your table. Here’s what you need to know.
Top Regional Stories
MN Daily Update: Hunters can help with prairie chicken and grouse research
WI Daily Update: Flamingos draw onlookers at Lake Michigan beach
Setting sights on a waterfowl hunt at Michigan’s Nayanquing Point
Pennsylvania Sportsman Profile: Shippensburg conservationist works for clean water
From a modest start, steelhead fishing gets in the blood of Ohio angler
Know your oaks: Increase your acorn IQ to become a better deer hunter
More Top News
Can’t find the deer you shot? A new tracking group in southeastern Minnesota is part of a growing network
Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever receive contracts with Iowa DNR to improve habitat
Iowans invited to help set priorities for important outdoor projects through state’s REAP program
Trail-camera traps: Try these three early-season, off-the-path ideas
Eurasian watermilfoil treated in Iowa’s West Okoboji canals
Mississippi River boat ramp extensions in Guttenberg, Iowa, await permit approval
IA Fishing News
Fishing Reports
Iowa’s statewide fishing report for Sept. 21, 2023
Iowa’s statewide fishing report for Sept. 14, 2023
Iowa’s statewide fishing report for Sept. 7, 2023
Iowa’s statewide fishing report for Sept. 1, 2023
Lake Profiles
Many options await anglers on Iowa’s Black Hawk Lake in Sac County
Bass bite going strong on Lake Miami in Iowa’s Monroe County
Bite for multiple species still going on Iowa’s Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County
Crappies, catfish and bass good options on Hawthorn Lake in Iowa’s Mahaska County
Fishing News
Pay attention to sub-surface currents to put more walleyes in your boat
With the correct gear, the big pike of fall can be had
Iowa’s West Fork Wildlife Area emerges from historic flood of 1993
Opinion
Commentary: Exploring the connection between invasives and climate change
Commentary: New research looks at why wild turkey eggs aren’t hatching and impact it has on population decline
Commentary: Ducks Unlimited leads partnership in $3 billion conservation initiative
Outdoor Insights: A duck stamp created by artificial intelligence?
Commentary: Archery, hunter ed threatened by Biden administration action
All About Hunting
Know your oaks: Increase your acorn IQ to become a better deer hunter
You don’t have to hunt deer long to realize that oak trees, and the acorns they drop each fall, are hugely important to whitetails. And many hunters know that most oak trees fall into one of two main families: red oaks and white oaks.
Both tree types are critical sources of deer food, so being able to identify tree species and their acorns can result in better deer hunting and more venison on your table. Here’s what you need to know.
For those willing to hike, Iowa’s South Skunk Wildlife Area offers off-the-beaten-path experience
A 40-foot strip of wild plum-lined land leads from the one-and-only parking lot on the north end of the South Skunk Wildlife Area, to a large remote floodplain grassland in southern Jasper County.
“If you want to hunt, this area is two miles to the south end,” said Casey Trine, wildlife technician with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Red Rock Unit. “The limited access has made this a unique place to hunt.”
The South Skunk Wildlife Area arose from the major flood of 2008. It was enrolled in the Wetland Reserve Program in 2010, and purchased by Pheasants Forever’s national office in 2018.
Iowans say camping is their favorite outdoor activity in state fair survey
Camping is the outdoor activity of choice for Iowans.
That’s the opinion of visitors who participated in a poll Aug. 10-20 at the Iowa State Fair. The survey offered participants a chance to vote on one of nine options as part of the exhibit, “How Do You Outdoors?” Camping received the largest number, 370, or 18%, of the votes cast. Following closely behind were hiking and fishing, at 353 and 347 votes, respectively, or 17% each of the total.
Podcasts
Episode 455 – Federal duck stamp winner Chuck Black, an excellent Minnesota duck report, early bowhunting tactics with Tony Peterson, and flamingos in Wisconsin
Minnesota waterfowlers are reporting one of the best openers in recent memory
Episode 454 – A new federal duck stamp, Minnesota wildlife observation study, DNR K9 units afield, and trail-cam chatter at the AGLOW conference
This week, Managing Editor and Host Rob Drieslein and Editor Tim Spielman
Episode 453 – Analyzing the federal waterfowl survey with John Coluccy from Ducks Unlimited, a wild rice report, plus a big hunting opener weekend forecast, and the DNR on special fishing reg proposals
Outdoor News Radio devotes an extra-long segment to chatting with DU scientist
Episode 452 – Solid forecast for Minnesota pheasants, brook trout stocking in Minnesota, moose research, and a new record coho salmon
We kick off this week’s show with host and Managing Editor Rob
All Iowa Articles
NDA report: Bucks most susceptible to CWD, but does remain important part of management equation
White-tailed bucks are more susceptible to chronic wasting disease (CWD)
Star Watch: The ‘Ring of Fire’ coming Oct. 14
The big news in the heavens this month is the
Secluded Winford Wildlife Area supports quality deer and pheasant populations
That narrow access lane off a dead-end road is the
Iowa DNR to host open house to discuss Loess Hills State Forest wildfire restoration plans
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a
Iowa’s State Preserves Advisory Board to meet Sept. 26
The State Preserves Advisory Board of the Iowa Department of
Discounted trees available at distribution events in Iowa this fall
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), through a partnership
Fishing and wildlife operations top Iowa DNR status quo budget request
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will present a stand-pat
Iowa communities hit by emerald ash borer get a boost of tree plantings this fall
Grants totaling more than $78,000 were recently awarded to 22
