Thousands of hunters in blaze orange will take to the fields when Iowa’s pheasant season opens Oct. 27. And with the second highest pheasant population in a decade, hunters can afford to be optimistic.
Numbers increased in every nine-county region except northwest, where it was similar to last year. The survey counted a state average of 21 birds per 30 mile route, which translates to a statewide harvest estimate of 250,000 to 300,000 roosters this fall.
WATERLOO – The Iowa DNR Law Enforcement Bureau was contacted by the Waterloo Police Department after they conducted a traffic stop earlier this month of two males who had illegally killed two antlered deer that were still in velvet. A DNR Conservation Officer responded and charged Paul Lu, 31, and Kyaw Wahny, 19, both of Waterloo, with a total of 14 charges…
This would be the first increase in the price of an annual resident hunting license since 2002 and of an annual fishing license since 2004.
Michigan-based Hebert family agrees to pay more than $51,000 in fines and forfeit 17 deer mounts. Iowa landowners supplied them with lodging and tags for any deer that were harvested by the group in exchange for fishing opportunities in Michigan.
An early look at the 2018 pheasant forecast begins with nesting success, which is likely a mixed bag.
(Photo by Bob Drieslein)Turkey hunters reported harvesting 11,700 Iowa birds this spring, which is 100 birds fewer than were harvested in 2017. Iowa’s spring turkey seasons began April 7 with the youth season and ended on May 20. Hunters purchased nearly 50,000 spring turkey tags. Hunters can help the DNR with its annual population estimates by reporting all turkeys seen…
(Iowa DNR)The Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium has set a goal of acres devoted to monarch butterfly habitat in the state by 2038. “The consortium has worked collaboratively with diverse stakeholders to develop a comprehensive plan to expand habitat on our agricultural land, urban areas, roadsides, and other public land. We appreciate the many partners that have been involved and are…
Bluegills, a favorite among ice anglers, were among the dead fish at Terry Trueblood Lake – about 1,000 bluegills were winter-kill victims at the lake.SOLON, Iowa — The Iowa DNR received reports of dead fish in Terry Trueblood Lake in Iowa City, and Mohawk Park Lake and Cedar Lake in Cedar Rapids, on Feb. 27. DNR fisheries staff found about…
Nicholas Slater of Glendale, Ariz., was found guilty following a trial on Feb. 12, 2018 for charges related to poaching a whitetail deer. The poaching incident occurred at Lake Manawa State Park in Council Bluffs on Nov. 19, 2016. Slater was found guilty on seven charges, including hunting on a game refuge, not having a valid nonresident hunting license and…
The hunter-harvested adult doe was taken in southeast Wayne County during the first shotgun deer season. There have been seven additional CWD positive tests so far from deer in northeast Iowa from 2017.
Deer collection underway to sample for CWD in Allamakee, Clayton counties.
(Photo by Bill Diers)Hunters reported harvesting 105,544 deer in Iowa for 2017, which is an increase of more than 4,100 deer from 2016, the Iowa DNR said in a news release Tuesday, Jan. 16. Iowa’s deer seasons closed on Jan. 10. Most deer were harvested during the shotgun seasons. Shotgun 1: 26,546 deer – 13,804 antlerless, 12,742 antlered. Shotgun 2:…
(Iowa DNR)Starting Jan. 13, the Iowa DNR will release trout in seven locations this winter in areas that would not support them during warmer months, the DNR said in a news release. The popular winter urban trout stocking program is supported by the sales of the trout fee. Anglers need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for…
The 2017 Iowa deer harvest is running less than 1 percent ahead of the 2016 totals, according to a news release by the Iowa DNR. So far this fall, 76,204 deer have been reported, compared to 75,909 for the same period last year. Iowa’s second shotgun season ends Dec. 17. Iowa’s deer seasons conclude with the late muzzleloader season and…
DYERSVILLE – The Iowa DNR received laboratory results last week confirming that ammonia toxicity in runoff from a dairy was responsible for an October fish kill in Dubuque County. The DNR fisheries report shows 60,278 fish were killed along nearly seven miles of stream, including an unnamed tributary of Hickory Creek, Hickory Creek and Hewitt Creek. More than 42,000 were…
(Iowa DNR)Iowa’s furbearer season opens Nov. 4, and the outlook for 2017 is good as populations are stable to increasing statewide, according to a news release Tuesday, Oct. 31 from the Iowa DNR. Vince Evelsizer, furbearer biologist for the DNR, said that while prospects for a good season are there, the number of participants usually follows the fur market. “When…
The water level at Lake Odessa is managed to mirror Mother Nature. Summer drawdowns expose mudflats that immediately vegetate with moist-soil plants. Water is allowed to gradually return to the newly established vegetation, creating a buffet for migrating birds. (Photo courtesy of the Iowa DNR)Sitting along the west bank of the Mississippi River in Louisa County, Lake Odessa, with its…
The first zebra mussels in the Iowa Great Lake chain were discovered in the fall of 2012 and have increased in numbers since.
SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa — The Iowa DNR reported that it discovered 26 3- to 5-inch gizzard shad in East Okoboji Lake as part of routine sampling last month. “We don’t know how gizzard shad got into the lake,” said Mike Hawkins, fisheries biologist for the Iowa DNR at Spirit Lake. “It is possible that someone intentionally put them in the lake.”…
Tieville Bend has a high level of plant diversity, including wild licorice. (Photo courtesy of the Iowa DNR) The parking lot of the Super 8 at Interstate 29 and Highway 175 fills each fall with trucks pulling boats covered with duck blinds. For hunters, the bread and butter at Tieville Bend is the fall duck migration and if you want…
State wildlife experts are crediting a series of mild winters and an abundance of meadow vole prey in grasslands.
Water is being added to a 25-acre wetland complex on the Buffalo Creek Wildlife Area ahead of the duck season. The wetland has a nicely developing crop of smartweed, which is favored by ducks. Hunters like it, too, for cover. (Photo courtesy of the Iowa DNR) COGGON, Iowa — Word is starting to spread through hunting circles in east central…
But state wildlife biologist says he expects almost a repeat of 2016 pheasant season, where hunters harvested about 250,000 roosters.
(Photo courtesy of the Iowa DNR)Squirrel hunters should expect to find an average to above average squirrel population over most of the state, with higher squirrel numbers in areas with quality oak and hickory trees, according to the Iowa DNR. Squirrel season opens Sept. 2. Fox squirrels can be found anywhere there are a few acres of trees, but gray…
Mount Ayr Wildlife Area has a mix of forest, prairie and shallow lake habitats. The forested area has a series of firebreaks that helps with timber management and is often a welcomed sight to successful hunters when packing out their game. (Photo courtesy of the Iowa DNR) Mount Ayr, Iowa – The Mount Ayr Wildlife Area is a 1,500-acre outdoor…
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