Pheasant numbers dip in Iowa
And quail numbers drop 36 percent from last year.
Iowa DNR
Iowa DNR: ‘We’ll see significant declines’ in pheasant, quail numbers following recent winter storm
What will the impact be on northern Iowa’s pheasant population and southern Iowa’s quail? A quick survey of area wildlife biologists settled on one theme: Not Good.
In Iowa, pilot program utilizes invasive tree species to build furniture
Program at state park gathers interested locals to learn about Black Locust trees, which are considered an invasive species, and at the same time, learn how to utilize the wood that is produced by them.
Iowa hunters pass on tradition amid hunting decline
About 223,000 people in Iowa held hunting licenses in 2018, a 14 percent decrease from 1988.
CWD confirmed in 14 Iowa deer, including first positive in Dubuque County
Results pending on two suspect samples.
In Iowa, sheriff’s deputy busted for unlawful possession of whitetail antlers
He denied a salvage tag to man who called in the car-deer collision and sawed off antlers for himself.
In Iowa, major hunting violations cost group of North Carolina, Louisiana hunters – to the tune of nearly $24,000
Nonresident deer hunters fined, busted.
Standing crops aside, increased harvest predicted for Iowa pheasant season
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.
Iowa’s pheasant population second-highest in a decade
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.
Two Waterloo men charged with illegally killing antlered deer
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…
Investigation: Michigan family poaches nearly 20 deer over 16 years in Iowa
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.
Iowa pheasant harvest dips to about 221,000
An early look at the 2018 pheasant forecast begins with nesting success, which is likely a mixed bag.
Iowa hunters harvest 11,700 spring turkeys, down 100 from last year
(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…
Parts of the Midwest seeing a resurgence of predator animals
Bears, bobcats, gray wolves and mountain lions expanding into some areas they have not inhabited in years.
As funding cuts loom, Iowa state park operations in jeopardy
MASON CITY, Iowa — In 2009, following one of the worst floods in recent state history, the state allocated about $22 million for the Iowa DNR. Now, the DNR has around $11.17 million in state funds to work with, and officials say any further cuts could drastically impact the operation of state parks, including those locally. According to the DNR’s…
Iowa Monarch Conservation Strategy: upward of nearly a million acres for monarch habitat by 2038
(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…
Thousands of fish dead after winter kill in three eastern Iowa lakes
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…
Arizona man found guilty of deer poaching in Iowa
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…
In Iowa, CWD confirmed for first time outside of northeastern part of state
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.
Iowa deer collection, CWD effort: ‘We want the tradition of hunting to continue’
Deer collection underway to sample for CWD in Allamakee, Clayton counties.
Officials say cuts hurt Iowa DNR’s ability to protect environment
DES MOINES, Iowa — A state commission has told lawmakers that repeated cuts to the Iowa DNR threatened its ability to protect the state’s air and water as the reductions have forced the agency to leave more than 100 positions vacant. The Environmental Protection Commission’s annual report to the Legislature noted the DNR’s budget had been cut nearly in half,…
Iowa sees deer harvest grow
(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 winter stocking effort puts trout in fisheries that wouldn’t support them during warmer months
(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…
Erie walleye fishing: The perfect (winter) storm?
Combination of first Erie December freeze-over since 2000 and a surging walleye population in the lake could make for a fishing season to remember. But with great ice-building weather comes First Day Hikes cancellations.
Iowa hunters, landowners see benefit from urban bowhunt
Program began in 1998 because of an overpopulation of deer in the city.
Iowa deer harvest pushes past 90,000
To this point, that’s more than 5 percent ahead of last year’s totals; and elusive elk put down by wildlife officials to protect deer herd, domestic livestock from disease potential.
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