Pheasant, quail, rabbit, dove and partridge harvest all down in 2019 8/25/2020 1:21:00 PM View Count 3081 Pheasant hunters harvested nearly 284,000 roosters in Iowa during the 2019 season, which was the second highest harvest in the last decade. In 2018, hunters harvested an estimated 320,000 roosters.
Iowa’s dove season begins Sept. 1 8/25/2020 1:17:00 PM View Count 5230 Iowa’s sunflower and wheat fields will be popular places on Sept. 1, when thousands of hunters slip into the standing flowers and field edges in the early morning darkness for the opening day of dove hunting season.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides guidance related to waterfowl hunting in damaged crop fields 8/19/2020 7:17:00 AM View Count 5799 Hunters planning to hunt waterfowl in fields damaged by the derecho storm on Aug. 10 need to be aware of what has taken place in the field after the fact to stay in compliance with the regulations.
DNR reopening Banner and Olofson shooting ranges 8/19/2020 7:11:00 AM View Count 2908 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will begin a phased in reopening of the Banner and Olofson shooting ranges with new social distancing protocols customers will need to follow.
Learn to Hunt program opens registration for virtual waterfowl hunting workshop 8/19/2020 7:00:00 AM View Count 2147 DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a free virtual workshop to teach skills needed to hunt, field dress and cook waterfowl to individuals who have little to no waterfowl hunting experience.
Iowa offers She Goes Outdoors subscription boxes 8/4/2020 11:42:00 AM View Count 2818 A project between natural resources agencies in Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas, Becoming an Outdoors Women, and Women in the Outdoors have created an opportunity for ladies to purchase outdoor subscription boxes.
Learn to Hunt program opens registration for virtual dove hunting workshop 7/28/2020 12:38:00 PM View Count 1959 DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a free virtual workshop to teach skills needed to hunt, field dress and cook mourning dove to individuals who have little to no dove hunting experience.
Iowa’s 47th spring turkey season is one for the records 5/19/2020 1:25:00 PM View Count 4786 Iowa hunters reported harvesting more than 14,600 turkeys during the spring season, which is the highest spring turkey harvest since mandatory harvest reporting began in 2007. The previous high was 12,173 in 2016.
Iowa’s final spring turkey season begins April 29 4/28/2020 3:18:00 PM View Count 5793 Iowa hunters have reported harvesting nearly 8,600 turkeys so far this spring, making the 2020 season one of the more successful seasons to date, with the fourth – and longest – season still to come.
Iowa deer application opens May 2 4/23/2020 1:44:00 PM View Count 3842 The time to apply for your 2020 Iowa deer tags is less than two weeks away!
Iowa fishing and hunting regulations not affected by COVID-19 3/24/2020 12:01:00 PM View Count 8762 Iowa's hunting and fishing regulations are not affected by the current COVID-19 health emergency in Iowa. Despite rumors on social media channels, the DNR has no plans to eliminate seasons, relax regulations or change license prices.
Hunting turkeys is the topic of upcoming Learn to Hunt workshop 3/3/2020 12:02:00 PM View Count 2666 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is offering a three part Learn to Hunt series this spring focusing on hunting turkeys. The workshops will be held at Butch Olofson shooting range, 11652 NW Nissen Dr., Polk City. Attendees may attend any or all of the workshops. A light dinner will be available at each session.
New collectible hard card now available 2/18/2020 11:38:00 AM View Count 10989 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources 2020 collectors’ card featuring wildlife artwork by Iowa-native Larry Zach is on sale.
Public meetings recapping hunting, trapping seasons, and possible rule changes start Wednesday 2/18/2020 11:35:00 AM View Count 2786 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) town hall-style meetings on recently completed hunting and trapping seasons, and possible changes to hunting and trapping rules and regulations, start Feb. 19.
2019 hunting, fishing license sales 2/18/2020 11:33:00 AM View Count 3639 In 2019, Iowa residents purchased…
Public meetings recapping hunting, trapping seasons, and possible rule changes start this week 2/17/2020 3:05:00 PM View Count 3764 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) town hall-style meetings on recently completed hunting and trapping seasons, and possible changes to hunting and trapping rules and regulations, start Feb. 19.
Space available in upcoming hunter education classes 2/11/2020 2:06:00 PM View Count 5137 Hunter Education Classroom courses are offered by knowledgeable and certified volunteer instructors and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers. Classroom courses are typically 12-15 hours in length and are held over 2 to 3 sessions (days). In order to receive certification, a student must attend all sessions and pass the final exam.
Iowa hunters harvest nearly 95,000 deer from the 2019-20 seasons 2/11/2020 1:48:00 PM View Count 7074 Hunters reported harvesting nearly 95,000 deer during Iowa’s 2019-2020 hunting seasons, which is a decline from 2018-19, when hunters reported nearly 108,000 deer.
Proposed waterfowl rules available for public comment 2/9/2020 2:48:00 PM View Count 3122 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting comments on proposed waterfowl and coot hunting seasons and bag limits, which includes 2021-22 season dates, and the proposed restructuring of the hunting zones and seasons for 2021-2025.
DNR finalizes public meeting locations to recap hunting seasons, discuss possible rule changes 2/4/2020 12:36:00 PM View Count 5830 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a series of town hall-style meetings where local staff will provide updates on recently completed hunting seasons, discuss possible changes to hunting rules and regulations, and address other topics as requested.
DNR to recap hunting seasons, discuss possible rule changes at public meetings across the state 1/30/2020 12:51:00 PM View Count 9439 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a series of town hall-style meetings where local staff will provide updates on recently completed hunting seasons, discuss possible changes to hunting rules and regulations, and address other topics as requested.
DNR investigating two hunting incidents 12/26/2019 10:12:00 AM View Count 3069 WARREN COUNTY – On December 22, 2019, around 10:30am, Austin Pontier of St. Charles was shot by a member of his hunting party while participating in a deer drive south of St. Charles.
DNR conservation officers respond to hunter shot, property damage during opening weekend of shotgun deer season 12/10/2019 12:00:00 PM View Count 8124 LOGAN, Iowa - On December 8, 2019, DNR conservation officers were notified about a property damage incident in Logan and later determined a hunter in hunting party was shot during a deer drive.
2020 hunting, fishing licenses on sale Dec. 15 12/10/2019 11:59:00 AM View Count 7128 Iowans can buy 2020 resident hunting, fishing and other licenses on Dec. 15. Licenses purchased for 2019 expire on Jan. 10.
DNR conservation officer and park ranger rescue duck hunters 11/29/2019 2:40:00 PM View Count 2974 MONONA COUNTY, Iowa - DNR Conservation Officer Gary Sisco and DNR Park Ranger Katie Hoeppner responded to a stranded boat with duck hunters on West Blue Lake, a marsh off of Blue Lake in Monona County in the evening hours of November 26.
IHAP sites help meet the demand for public hunting areas 11/26/2019 11:54:00 AM View Count 4789 WEST UNION, Iowa - The winding roads of Fayette County, east of Eldorado, lead to a 130-acre area split by the Turkey River that could be a sneaky-good spot for hunting deer in a part of the state known for its deer hunting.
DNR and several agencies find missing deer hunter 11/25/2019 3:07:00 PM View Count 2761 MONROE COUNTY, Iowa – Iowa Department of Natural Resources conservation officers and park rangers responded to a report of a missing deer hunter on November 24 at the Tyrone State Game Management Area in Monroe County.
Basic firearm rules are important for a safe hunt 11/19/2019 2:07:00 PM View Count 4877 The first of Iowa’s two shotgun deer seasons opens on Dec. 7, and while optimism for a successful hunt is the primary focus, hunters are encouraged to brush up on safe hunting practices.
For Iowa’s deer hunters, the wait is nearly over, shotgun deer seasons begin Dec. 7 11/19/2019 2:02:00 PM View Count 20160 Heading into Iowa’s busiest outdoor ‘opening day,’ shotgun deer season hunters should expect to see about the same number of deer in the timber as last year – with the possible exception for hunters in southcentral Iowa, where local deer populations were impacted by an outbreak of hemorrhagic disease.
Pheasant hunting on Thanksgiving as traditional as pumpkin pie 11/19/2019 2:00:00 PM View Count 3225 For many Iowans, a Thanksgiving Day pheasant hunt is as much a part of the holiday tradition as football, battling over the last turkey leg and an afternoon nap, and this year’s outing may be one of the best.
Carroll County father and son charged with several deer violations 10/23/2019 8:58:00 AM View Count 4253 CARROLL COUNTY, Iowa – Iowa Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers have charged two Glidden men with numerous deer hunting violations, including poaching, from an investigation stemming back to November 2018.
The wait for November is nearly over - for Iowa deer hunters, this is prime time 10/22/2019 3:49:00 PM View Count 4801 Iowa’s deer hunting intensity will ratchet up in the next few weeks as the peak of the rut approaches and archery hunters cash in vacation days to spend as much time as possible in the timber.
Iowa’s furbearer season begins Nov. 2 10/22/2019 3:43:00 PM View Count 6153 Furharvesters take note: the outlook is pretty decent for most of the commonly targeted species ahead of Iowa’s furbearer hunting and trapping season.
Pheasant hunters hoping for a repeat of 2018 season 10/22/2019 3:40:00 PM View Count 5923 Last year, Iowa pheasant hunters bagged more roosters than they had in the last decade. With that fresh in their memory, how will the 2019 pheasant season measure up?
Duck hunters are optimistic with the main season underway 10/22/2019 3:37:00 PM View Count 2852 The September rain was a game changer for Iowa duck hunters, improving habitat conditions across most of the state by creating a number of shallow water areas where food is available.
Body of missing kayaker, hunter recovered 10/20/2019 4:20:00 PM View Count 2528 HARRISON COUNTY, Iowa – On Saturday, October 19, at approximately 9:13am, divers with the Midwest Regional Dive Team recovered the body of a Nebraska kayaker and hunter that was missing since Friday evening.
Waterfowl hunters reminded of rules for hunting in flooded crop fields 10/15/2019 11:45:00 AM View Count 2692 Iowa’s unusually wet spring and fall has created a unique situation in certain parts of the state where floodwaters are reaching crop fields and causing issues regarding what waterfowl hunters can and can’t do in these areas.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Media Advisory Highlighting hunting access at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge and across the country 10/8/2019 11:51:00 AM View Count 2882 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are proud to expand access to quality hunting and fishing at national wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries across the country. Please join us on Thursday October 10, 2019 as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Principal Deputy Director Margaret Everson and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon highlight recent successes in expanding hunting and hunter retention in Iowa and across the country.
Hunting pheasants is the topic of upcoming Learn to Hunt workshops 10/8/2019 11:48:00 AM View Count 2618 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is offering Learn to Hunt Opportunities and Mentored Hunts around the state.
5 ways to celebrate hunting and fishing this fall 9/26/2019 11:20:00 AM View Count 2958 Discover new and exciting ways to enjoy Iowa’s outdoors this fall with these simple suggestions. Invite someone to come along to share the fun and memories.
Successful turkey hunters encouraged to participate in disease monitoring study 9/24/2019 12:52:00 PM View Count 3904 Attention turkey hunters – the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for a few good turkey legs. Well, actually, any wild, lower turkey leg will do.
Hunting near collapsed grain bins is not allowed 9/5/2019 8:43:00 AM View Count 6810 Waterfowl hunters take note – hunting near grain bins in western and southwestern Iowa that collapsed from the spring flood is considered hunting over bait and is against the law.
Iowa’s pheasant population steady, quail down 8/27/2019 11:48:00 AM View Count 9294 Iowa’s pheasant hunters should expect to find a similar number of birds as last year, with the exception of south central and southeast Iowa, where the pheasant population decline was more significant.
Iowa’s rabbit, squirrel season opens Aug. 31 8/20/2019 12:22:00 PM View Count 15993 The good news for Iowa’s cottontail rabbit hunters is that Iowa has a strong population of rabbits, similar to last year, with only the east central part of the state seeing a decline in numbers. The better news for hunters is Iowa’s cottontail rabbit season begins Aug. 31 statewide.
Iowa’s September teal hunting season begins Sept. 1 8/20/2019 12:19:00 PM View Count 4023 Iowa’s 16-day statewide teal-only hunting season begins September 1 and all indicators are pointing towards hunters having a good year in Iowa.