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
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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,
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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
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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
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  Iowa waterfowl hunting is done for the year. The late archery season for deer and turkeys ended January 10. Ditto for pheasants. Time has arrived for hunters to clean the shotgun and stow the rifle. Or has it? For those willing to pursue a somewhat less glamourous species, Iowa’s squirrel hunt is still on -- runs
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The final segment of this year's deer season presented hunters with a brutal variety of environmental challenges. With scant exception, Iowa's late December/early January weather scene was dominated by below zero temps, minus double digit wind chills, and relentless winds. But that wasn't the real issue. Even with minus twenty-degree or colder wind chills, you
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  Turkey & dressing. The words go together like a hand and glove. Although normally associated with Thanksgiving, turkey & dressing is a great stick to your ribs taste treat anytime you can get it. At our home, roast turkey has become a New Year’s Day tradition. The feast has only two hard and fast requirements.
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Turkey Hollow – Late last week: The arrow was launched and my New Year’s Day turkey dinner was in the bag. In prime condition, I was amazed – as always -- at just how much fat the winter turkey was carrying. The bird’s gizzard, for example, was completely engulfed in a thick layer of bright
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  Procuring the perfect Christmas goose is an annual priority of my winter agenda. This year’s honored entree arrived during a cold and blustery afternoon when nearly two dozen hog fat Canada geese decided to investigate my decoys. With the beautiful Christmas goose plucked and on ice; there only remained a single uncompleted item on my
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A spectacular winter storm system is currently careening across the upper mid-west – including Clear Lake – today.  Snow is coming down in huge clumps of clean white flakes; 3 to 5 additional inches is expected.  This photo includes two of my favorite subjects – new snow & Canada geese.  I think this one comes
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  Notes on Goldeneyes – Shotguns – and Eagles For Iowa duck hunters, the appearance of migrating goldeneyes is a bittersweet moment. Although a prime goldeneye drake is regarded as a waterfowling trophy, the species’ arrival signals the beginning of the end. Make no mistake. Open water has been officially put on notice. Freeze-up is at hand.
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  By the second week of December, there remained little question that winter had arrived. In northern Iowa, marshlands were frozen solid. At Clear Lake [where I live] more than 3,600 acres of open water had been reduced to two small air holes. But although local weather conditions had turned frigid, the late season bird show was
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