Hunters take about 14,000 less whitetails in 2019 than the previous year. Wildlife experts say that while there are a number of factors that likely contributed to the decline, the most prominent is the outbreak of hemorrhagic disease that killed thousands of deer across the state.
New test results bring the total number of counties in Iowa where wild deer have tested positive to eight.
(Iowa DNR)Guttenberg, Iowa — Kevin Hanson had to throttle back his heavy flat-bottomed aluminum boat as he began to break up a thin layer of ice that had formed overnight on the slack water in Pool 11 of the Upper Mississippi River. Hanson, fisheries technician with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Guttenberg station, was on his last run…
And quail numbers drop 36 percent from last year.
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.
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.
About 223,000 people in Iowa held hunting licenses in 2018, a 14 percent decrease from 1988.
Results pending on two suspect samples.
He denied a salvage tag to man who called in the car-deer collision and sawed off antlers for himself.
Nonresident deer hunters fined, busted.
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…
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…
Bears, bobcats, gray wolves and mountain lions expanding into some areas they have not inhabited in years.
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 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.
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,…
(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…
Shop our online store for products and gear: Print of the Year, Outdoor News History Book, Outdoor News Clothing and more!
