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Steve Weisman

A deep look into Iowa’s 2023 roadside count, one of the best for pheasants in years

Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, Iowa, National Hunting, National News, News /

Iowa’s 2023 August Roadside Count data is out, and pheasant hunters across the Hawkeye state received excellent news relating to this year’s pheasant season. The statewide survey showed the highest statewide counts since 2015. The survey is conducted by Iowa DNR staff between Aug. 1-15, as they drive 218, 30-mile routes on gravel roads at dawn on mornings with heavy dew.
The statewide average was 22.5 birds per route, which is an increase of 15% over 2022 (19.5 birds) and also 17% above the 10-year trend.
“The bird counts were better than we thought in northwest and northeastern Iowa,” said Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife research biologist with the Iowa DNR. “In the northeast, that is the highest that region has seen in 24 years.”

A deep look into Iowa’s 2023 roadside count, one of the best for pheasants in years Read More »

Iowa Great Lakes conservationist Terry Wilts recognized with Ace Cory Conservation Award

Featured, Iowa, Nature Page & Night Sky, News /

Terry Wilts recently received the Ace Cory Conservation Award at the annual Okoboji Protective Association’s annual meeting. The award was presented by Mary Skopec, OPA board member and Executive Director of the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory.
The inscription on the plaque reads…To Terry Wilts: For being TENACIOUS in protecting and improving the Iowa Great Lakes. Terry acts as the “go-to person” in curly-leaf pondweed control and more recently led the efforts against Eurasian Watermilfoil. Terry is an active person in water quality efforts.

Iowa Great Lakes conservationist Terry Wilts recognized with Ace Cory Conservation Award Read More »

West Okoboji bluegills are on the move: Here’s how to stay on the bite

Featured, Features, Fishing, Iowa, National Fishing /

It seems to happen every year about the time the Iowa State Fair comes around. The bluegill bite, which has been so consistent for the past couple of months on West Okoboji, always seems to change. From mid-August until mid-to-late-September, the bluegills are deep and on the move. Here’s how to stay on them.

West Okoboji bluegills are on the move: Here’s how to stay on the bite Read More »

Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club has a clear mission; getting youngsters involved in the outdoors

Featured, Fishing, Iowa, National Fishing, News /

Kids under the age of 16 may fish Iowa waters without a fishing license in an attempt to make it easier for young people to be introduced to fishing. That’s the good news.
The bad news? A lot of youngsters never get the chance to fish because they don’t have an adult to take them fishing. Many youngsters are missing the chance to enjoy the outdoors and have a chance to watch a bobber go down and feel the tug of a fish pulling on the other end of the rod. In northwest Iowa, there is an organization doing its part to change that: The Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club (IGLFC).

Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club has a clear mission; getting youngsters involved in the outdoors Read More »

Upgrades to electric barrier continue to help protect Iowa’s Great Lakes from Asian carp

Featured, Fishing, Iowa, National News, Nature Page & Night Sky, News /

The electric fish barrier to keep Asian carp from entering the Iowa Great Lakes through the Lower Gar Lake outlet has been in place and operational for the past 11 years.
Over that time, it has done its job in keeping Asian carp from entering the Iowa Great Lakes as they make their way up the Little Sioux River during high water situations.

Upgrades to electric barrier continue to help protect Iowa’s Great Lakes from Asian carp Read More »

Iowa’s 2023 Okoboji Blue Water Festival hits a home run

Featured, Iowa, Nature Page & Night Sky, News /

Against the backdrop of the beautiful waters of Iowa’s West Lake Okoboji with a bright sunny sky and a gentle breeze, the 8th annual Okoboji Blue Water Festival held on Aug. 12 at Preservation Plaza continued to provide the public with both a celebration of clean water efforts and challenges to continue to address clean water issues.

Iowa’s 2023 Okoboji Blue Water Festival hits a home run Read More »

Eurasian watermilfoil, brittle naiad found in areas of West Lake Okoboji: What’s the next step?

Featured, Iowa, National News, Nature Page & Night Sky, News /

Nearly a year ago, the exotic invasive plant Eurasian watermilfoil was discovered on East Lake and other areas of the lower chain of lakes during yearly surveillance monitoring by the Iowa DNR at 153 sites twice a year at the Iowa Great Lakes.
Just a week ago in early August, Eurasian watermilfoil reared its ugly head again when DNR personnel found areas of the invasive plant in three different backwater areas that access West Lake Okoboji: Millers Bay Canal, the Harbor and the Triboji Lagoon.

Eurasian watermilfoil, brittle naiad found in areas of West Lake Okoboji: What’s the next step? Read More »

Trees on Iowa’s landscape: when to cut and when to grow

Featured, Iowa, Nature Page & Night Sky, News /

Want to get a controversy started? Let’s talk about cutting trees on Iowa’s public lands. You are going to get a whirlwind discussion for and against.
Why is it such an emotional topic? We see people planting trees in their yards and shelterbelts around farmsteads. While at the same time, we see landowners razing old farmsteads and leveling the trees that have stood there for generations.

Trees on Iowa’s landscape: when to cut and when to grow Read More »

Iowa’s public lands: A limited but appreciated resource for outdoor users

Featured, Fishing, Hunting, Iowa, National Fishing, National Hunting, Nature Page & Night Sky, News /

The state of Iowa has nearly 36 million acres of land, but only approximately 1% (owned by the State of Iowa and under Iowa Department of Natural Resources jurisdiction) is public land that Iowans and visitors can access.
According to the U.S. Census, Statistical Abstract of the United States, that places Iowa 47th in the nation for fewest acres for public use. This 1% amounts to 390,706 acres, which are managed by the DNR.

Iowa’s public lands: A limited but appreciated resource for outdoor users Read More »

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