Spring is a busy time for Iowa wood ducks.  The season moves quickly; finding a safe place to lay and incubate eggs becomes a top priority.  Observing cavity searching pairs never fails to entertain.  This morning, the birds were out and about as soon as it was light – thoroughly scouring the woodlands in search

  As predictable as April showers and May flowers, Iowa’s Baby Bird & Bunny Season is about to begin. From early May until mid-summer, wildlife babies from dozens of species will be leaving the protection of their nests and learning the outdoor skills critical to their survival. Before the season ends, Iowa DNR and County Conservation

When It Comes To Hunting The Elusive Wild Mushroom –                  Timing is Everything   April showers may bring May flowers, but they also produce mushrooms. And there’s just something about the mushroom that makes people go absolutely crazy. Succulent and elusive, the morel mushroom is Iowa’s most coveted wild edible. Hunting for these tender taste treats can

    Following weeks of anticipation, the Opening Day the Iowa turkey season has finally arrived. Even more incredible was the fact today's sunrise was both windless and cloudless -- amazing! Early season hunters took full advantage of the idyllic conditions and it didn't take long for social media to come alive with gobbler success photos --

The wake-up calls come way too early in spring turkey camp. Today was no exception and I must admit that rolling out of a warm and cozy sleeping bag and into the damp night air presented somewhat of a challenge. But the initial discomfort soon vanished due to the comforting effect of a heavy wool

This year’s spring migration of bald eagles will certainly qualify as one of the best in our lifetimes. Observing our national emblem never grows old and the majestic birds are certainly creating a lot of statewide excitement. It seems that no matter where you happen to go these days, people are talking about eagles. Everyone

  North Iowa’s March weather has been typically unstable. But there are some undeniable signs that spring is in the air. And perhaps nowhere is the impending change of seasons more dramatically obvious than in the skies above our natural wetlands. Following months of ice and snow, area ponds and marshes are beginning to thaw; some wetlands

Everyone loves to share good photos -- the duds not so much. Thought I’d make an exception on this one though, and have attached one of my most recent heart breakers.  I took the shot on Wednesday afternoon while sitting in the decoys and enjoying  an incredible spring waterfowl migration.  I didn’t have any snow

    The spring migration of lesser snow geese represents one of the world’s most dramatic natural spectacles. An epic journey of sight and sound, the magnitude of the flight cannot be fully appreciated until witnessed firsthand. Six million strong, the white birds become a feathery spring blizzard as they marshal their legions to communally march more

Rabbit hunting is just one of those things that I can’t seem to outgrow. But then, I guess I’ve never really put much effort into quitting the pastime. For me, chasin’ rabbits has been a long running endeavor. I became hooked on the sport at an early age when, as a .410 toting fifth grader,

A real Jack Hammer of a winter snowstorm rolled across the northern half of Iowa Tuesday night.  By the time daylight arrived Wednesday, my truck roof was covered with just over a foot of beautiful new snow and the white    was still coming down at a pretty good clip.  In north central Iowa – where

Local coffee shops don’t seem quite as cheery as they did a couple weeks ago.  Following several days of dark and gloomy overcast, folks are getting grouchy.  People are apparently in need of some sunlight; or at least should consider some vitamin-D supplements.    No change in weather is predicted.  By the time daybreak arrived this