Following a year of presumed absence, highly pathogenic avian influenza [HPAI] is sweeping through Iowa waterfowl populations.  This time, the outbreak is occurring due to a new and lethal [D1.1] variant of the avian influenza virus.  As wintering ducks and geese concentrate into remaining areas of open water, the escalating effects of the deadly flu
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It was Mid-May, and spring birding was at its peak.  With sunrise still a half hour in the offing, I was standing in a narrow strip of public timber extending from the western edge of Clear Lake’s Lekwa Marsh.  Although the predawn light was dim, the woodland was already bursting with song.  In addition to
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After providing good to excellent duck hunting during September and October, the Iowa migration pretty much shut down in early November.  As the doldrums continued into mid-month, hunters were becoming understandably impatient.  Some were even discouraged to the point of stashing the decoys to pursue locally abundant pheasant populations. Finally, on November 19th, the weather took
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I love the Thanksgiving holidays.  I say holidays [plural] because, on most years, I get to celebrate by enjoying four separate turkey dinners.  The first takes place during the official Thursday holiday where I spend the day with around forty or so relatives.  Turkey Master, Paul Beatty supplies the birds for that event.  Beatty has
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For Iowa outdoor enthusiasts, the month of November is one of the most exciting times of the year.  November has so much to offer that making a list of all the things to do would fill pages.  One of the things I most look forward to each November is the annual migration of blackbirds.  Yea,
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For an Iowa waterfowler, few events spark the imagination or bring a higher level of anticipation than the arrival of October’s full moon.  The night air is crisp, humidity is dropping, a rising breeze is shifting to the northwest.  By the time midnight rolls around, it’s becoming downright chilly, and the landscape becomes covered in
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When the sun sets and evening stars shine bright, the night sky quickly becomes a busy place as millions of southbound songbirds take to the flyways.  And of all the feathery families cruising the moonlit flyways, few are more intriguing than the grouping of birds collectively known as wood warblers.  Listed among the smallest of
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Phenomenal!  Absolutely incredible!  Have never seen anything like it! Mild temperatures combined with the blue-wing’s preference for frequenting small, easy access wetlands, make Iowa’s special teal season a favorite with outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Those are typical hunter comments regarding the September 1st opening of this year’s special teal season.  According to DNR Conservation Officers and
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The results of this year’s recently completed August roadside game surveys have been analyzed and released.  According to DNR Wildlife Research Biologist, Todd Bogenschutz, Iowa hunters can expect to see a 14 percent decrease in statewide pheasant numbers during the upcoming 2024 hunting seasons.   The annual cycle began on a high note with statewide winter
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When leaves fall and autumn winds blow, Iowa duck hunters can anticipate a strong migration of southbound waterfowl during 2024.  That’s the official assessment from this year’s North American Breeding Duck and Habitat Survey released earlier this week by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Conducted every year since 1955, the continent-wide annual survey measures trends
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The slow-moving cold front that swept into Iowa during the second week of August offered some much-needed relief from the stifling heat and humidity of late summer.  The temporary change of weather also provided a sharp reminder that fall hunting seasons are just around the corner. For Iowa waterfowlers, the fall seasons begin with the September
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Although hunting for summer mushrooms may be a lot different than searching for spring morels, it can be just as rewarding.  Despite the fact that summer foliage is generally much denser than spring ground cover, finding woodland mushrooms can actually be easier in August than it was back in April or early May.  Spring morels, for
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