Although Iowa’s spring turkey seasons are still a few weeks away, local gobblers are already strutting their stuff.  By the sounds of it, this morning would be no exception.  In spite of chilly temperatures and a brisk northwest wind, turkeys had begun sounding off at the first hint of dawn.  As daylight increased, the gobbling

For Iowa outdoor enthusiasts, the sighting of a seldom seen bird is a rare treat.  And when it comes to birding in the Tall Corn State, the sightings don’t get much rarer than when focusing your binoculars on a wild gyrfalcon.  The species is such an infrequent visitor, in fact, that most birders – even

Iowa bucks are suddenly losing their heads -- or at least the showiest parts of them. By the time mid-February rolls around, North Iowa’s white-tailed bucks will have begun dropping their antlers.  For outdoor enthusiasts, it’s an annual Call to Arms as a willing legion of shed hunters invade local woodlands in search of lost treasure. 

On February 23, 1994, United States Congressman, John Porter [R-Il] officially proclaimed February as National Bird Feeding Month.  Reading his proposal into the Congressional Record, Porter noted that February is the most difficult month for wild birds.  Expounding the educational, entertainment, and ecological values of wild birdlife, the Congressman encouraged an increased public participation in providing

We’ve all heard that oft repeated ditty -- How much wood can a woodchuck chuck?   Well, maybe it’s time to put a new spin on that old line by begging the question -- How much corn can a greenhead guzzle? The question came to mind while recently enjoying a late January falconry duck hunt along a partially

Winter Adventures Provide Both Fond & Not So Fond Memories Frostbite Creek got its name when my friend Ross Dirks, almost lost his hand there.  The incident occurred during a 2019 falconry duck hunt.  Environmental conditions were downright polar that day; an unbearable blend of howling wind, blowing snow, and a wind chill that had dropped

Iowa goose hunters are feeling a bit down this week.  As of sunset January 22, hunting seasons are now closed in all of the state’s three-tiered goose zones.  This year’s goose chase is over.  Time to clean the shotguns, stow the decoys and begin dreaming of next season. For Canada goose enthusiasts, there is good reason

I love bow hunting – especially during the November rut when big Iowa bucks are on the move.  In spite of some close calls, I don’t necessarily bag a buck, of course.  In fact, on most years I don’t, which is why I find myself returning to the woods in January.  Subzero white-tail – Although most

If you’re feeding backyard birds, you’ve probably noticed a significant increase in activity during the past few days.  With double digit below zero temps and wind chill values plunging to minus forty, it’s little wonder that our feathered visitors are busily cramming down every bit of food they can find. Providing a variety of foods will

The waterfowl season ended December 7th in Iowa’s North Zone.  And although the peak of this year’s waterfowl migrations had occurred by mid-November, there were still some mallards and Canada geese clinging to local refuge areas.  Since there was no open water, I spent the last couple of days hunting in corn stubble near Clear Lake. 

Following an extended stretch of abnormally mild temperatures, the summery atmosphere ended abruptly as a fast-moving Canadian cold front invaded Northern Iowa December 6.  By sunrise Monday, temps were headed for the basement as thermometers plunged to the lower single digits.  Northwest winds -- gusting to as high as 50 mph -- effectively dropped wind

Sometimes The Greatest Treasures Are Found In The Most Unlikely Places                    It was late fall, 1981.  The skies were dark and ominous, and there was a distinct feel of winter in the North Iowa air.  Gusting autumn winds made it feel even colder.  In other words, it was the kind of day that every duck hunter