Latest Hunting News

Governor Branstad Rescinds Iowa Shot Shell Ruling

moderator — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:20:05 +0000

Author:

The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation

Governor Terry Branstad, a member of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus, has permanently rescinded a provision of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources dove season rule that prohibits the use of traditional ammunition. The executive order was a result of the Iowa senate’s inaction on SJR 2001, a legislative resolution to rescind the ban. Although the resolution passed committee, and was joined on the Senate floor by a successful house companion bill (HJR 2001), the resolutions never came up for a full Senate vote prior to the conclusion of the 2012 legislative session.

Iowa Commission Approves Changes to Fall Hunting Seasons

newseditor — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:07:57 +0000

Author:

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Changes to Iowa’s waterfowl, deer and furbearer seasons, were approved during the April 12 meeting of the Natural Resource Commission of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The season proposals will be available for public comment in May prior to a public hearing on May 23.

Approved changes to the waterfowl regulations include a three zone, two season split with the Missouri River zone as the new third zone, and reduced Canada goose zone boundaries in some areas.

Iowa Youth Turkey Season Success

newseditor — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:05:35 +0000

Author:

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

With Iowa hunters now settling into the traditional spring turkey season, younger hunters can chalk up another season of hunting experience. The extended youth season offered a bonus for them; extra days in the woods, learning more about the outdoors….and maybe how to persuade a love-struck tom to strut within range.

Iowa State Geologist Issues Annual Report

newseditor — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:36:23 +0000

Author:

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

The DNR’s Geological and Water Survey responded to a year of weather extremes in 2011 with projects highlighted in the Iowa State Geologist’s annual report.

“During the Missouri River flood throughout the spring and summer, we were providing mapping assistance and levee examinations. But by late in the year, our staff was monitoring developing drought conditions in northwest Iowa, and the impacts that might have on groundwater, streams and water supplies,” said Bob Libra, state geologist.

Iowa's Early Turkey Season Preview

newseditor — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:04:17 +0000

Author:

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

A mild winter. A warm spring. Iowa’s turkey hunters are primed for their days in the woods. And so are the turkeys. Iowa’s expanded youth turkey hunting season gets underway April 7. The first of four regular seasons opens April 16 across the state.

Each year, gobblers start gobbling and strutting weeks ahead of the hunting season. This year has been no exception, with record and near record temperatures throughout March.

Seed Corn Available for Iowa NWTF Members

newseditor — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:05:08 +0000

Author:

National Wild Turkey Federation

The Iowa State Chapter of the NWTF is taking orders for round-up ready conservation seed corn to be used to plant wildlife food plots.

Iowa Youth Shooting Event Looking for Participants

newseditor — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:42:38 +0000

Author:

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

The Drake Sportsmen’s Club is hosting its inaugural youth shoot and education day for 20 youths age 12 and older on April 14, from noon to 4 p.m., at the Charles ‘Butch’ Olofson Shooting Range, near Polk City.

The youth shoot and education day will teach kids firearm safety from licensed instructors and college shooters and allow them to fire shotguns, .22 rifles, BB guns, and bow and arrows.

Iowa DNR to Hold Public Meetings to Discuss Fall Hunting and Trapping Regulations

newseditor — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:41:26 +0000

Author:

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hosting public meetings tonight to discuss possible changes in the hunting and trapping regulations for this fall.

The changes would affect deer and waterfowl hunters as well as hunters and trappers who pursue bobcats and otters. Proposed changes would stabilize deer numbers in some areas, potentially add a third zone for waterfowl and increase the harvest number of otters and bobcats.

Iowa Deer Harvest Lower for Sixth Straight Year

newseditor — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:23:55 +0000

Author:

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Hunters reported harvesting 121,407 deer in Iowa during the 2011-12 seasons, which is 4.5 percent lower than the 127,094 deer reported in 2010-11. To date, Iowa’s deer population has been reduced by 30 percent from its peak in 2006, and is still declining.

Iowa's Regular Deer Seasons End

newseditor — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:13:41 +0000

Author:

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

The final regular deer season ended Jan. 10 when the late season muzzleloader and the archery season closed. Deer hunters had reported taking nearly 113,000 deer at the end of the season which is about 4 percent lower than was reported last year at this time and about 21 percent below the reported harvest in 2006.

While the harvest is lower, the number of deer licenses issued during the regular seasons has stayed about the same since 2006.