Swift of wing and unique in profile, the regal canvasback is duck hunting‘s greatest treasure. No species is more thrilling to observe. No species is more thrilling to hunt. No species provides finer dining. It’s little wonder that the mighty ‘can has enjoyed a long term standing as the King of Ducks.                          Long Live The
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Winter bird feeding brings countless hours of pleasure to thousands of Iowans statewide. Observing our backyard visitors becomes even more interesting whenever a rare or unusual species makes a surprise appearance. The red-breasted nuthatch is a species currently filling that bill. A resident of northern and western mountain pine forests, the red-breasted nuthatch is an energetic,
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November is the month deer hunters live for. And for those who thrill to the sight of wide beamed heavy antlered bucks, November is the gateway to all things good. For Iowa’s 60,000 archery hunting enthusiasts, the time to be in the woods is now. The annual rut is swinging into overdrive and heavy tined
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The annual fall rut is picking up steam across the state and with mild weather and colorful fall foliage living on borrowed time, there’s no better time to begin hunting Iowa white-tails.  But although bow hunters will be seeing a good number of deer when they take to the early woodlands,  most will be reluctant
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  If I were to choose a single month as my favorite, I’d pick the month of October – hands down. Here’s some of what I like about October. Fall foliage is at its colorful peak, and the early autumn weather seems to agree with just about everyone. Generally speaking, October mornings are crisp and cool;
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  The October bird migration is one of the most interesting and exciting aspects of fall. Some migrations are hard to miss -- the noisy arrival of wild geese, the large soaring assemblages [kettles] of broad-winged hawks or turkey vultures, the sudden appearance of ducks and coots on local wetlands. Other aspects of the annual migration
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  It’s Been An Incredible Goose Season So Far But I Seriously Doubt That Any Future Hunts Will Be Able To Top The Canada geese presented a classic example of pure contentment. While some birds preened their feathers, others gossiped among themselves or quietly napped on one leg. To even a casual observer, it was more than a
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  Few wildlife events have created more excitement than the well-publicized invasion of wild mountain lions into Iowa. So much so, that the excitement has, at times, bordered on near hysteria. In reality, it isn’t likely that Iowa will ever harbor a viable population of free roaming cougars – even a small one. But it is probable,
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Starry Nights, Crisp Mountain Meadows, Bugling Bulls All The Necessary Ingredients For Enjoying A Colorado Rocky Mountain High Participating in a high country, muscle pulling, lung busting public lands do-it-yourself wilderness elk hunt is one of bow hunting's great challenges. Colorado, the state harboring more elk than any other, is as good a place as any to attempt
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  Most of the doves left early. The annual flight of blue-winged teal is running late. But the fall migration of ruby-throated hummingbirds is right on schedule. Urged south by shortening photo periods, tens of thousands of hummingbirds are currently passing through Iowa and there's no better time to enjoy some close up viewing than right
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  Viewing Can Become A Dangerous Obsession The American bison is the largest land animal in the western hemisphere. I've never heard of anyone who didn't find the giant prairie icons fascinating, and some 'buffalo watchers' enjoy the creatures to the point of obsession. I fall into the latter category. When it comes to bison, I can
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  CUSTER, SD----If you drive through the western edge of South Dakota’s Black Hills, you’re likely to see some brightly painted yellow road signs that read: Bighorn Sheep Crossing – Be Prepared To Stop. Unfortunately, the colorful steel billboards are mostly wishful thinking. And if you suddenly do have to slam on your brakes, it will likely
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