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DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: Wildlife AreaReturn

Refuge portion of the Hawkeye Wildlife Area changes designation to waterfowl refuge, restricting access until after duck season

• 8/15/2022 2:03:00 PM
• View Count 3789

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has changed the designation for the existing refuge on the southeast section of the Hawkeye Wildlife Area, in Johnson County, from a “Wildlife Refuge” to a “Waterfowl Refuge.”

Martens Lake not open to boat traffic for hunting this fall

• 7/26/2022 12:49:00 PM
• View Count 4272

Tripoli, Iowa - Waterfowl hunters scouting shallow lakes and marshes ahead of the season should be aware that Martens Lake on the Sweet Marsh Wildlife Area is in the process of a dike repair and channel excavation project and will not be open to boat traffic for hunting this fall.

Grasslands, wetlands showcased at Lower Morse Wildlife Area

• 7/19/2022 12:22:00 PM
• View Count 4024

Walking south past the sunflower field to the crest of the gently rolling hill provides visitors of a view with a diverse 1,850-acre wetland and rolling prairie complex in northern Wright County. As far as the eye can see, its rolling hills, prairie and small wetlands that make up the popular Lower Morse Wildlife Area.

Elk Lake Wildlife Area renovation is already paying dividends

• 7/12/2022 1:41:00 PM
• View Count 3905

Ruthven, Iowa – Rolling in to the parking lot on this early July morning, Elk Lake is barely recognizable from the brown, open water shallow lake that it was just two short years ago.

DNR to host an open house on the Tomahawk Marsh Wildlife Area

• 7/5/2022 2:16:00 PM
• View Count 3573

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is holding an open house on July 19, from 3-6 p.m., at the Speaker Park Shelter House, 418 Blossom Street, in Lake View, to discuss the habitat management, recreation use, wildlife populations and other topics of interest for the Tomahawk Marsh Wildlife Area.

Round Lake Wildlife Area is a gem hidden in plain sight

• 6/28/2022 3:11:00 PM
• View Count 4219

MONDAMIN - Round Lake has to be the easiest wildlife area to get to in the state. Sitting one mile east off of I-29 at the Hwy. 127 Mondamin exit, is the 430-acre mix of wetlands, timber and prairie in western Harrison County.

M. U. Payne Wildlife Area is a great place for water bird watching, duck hunting, and hiking often with little competition

• 6/14/2022 2:23:00 PM
• View Count 3197

Hidden behind a levee paralleling I-29, six miles northwest of Hamburg in the Missouri River floodplain, is the nearly 1,300-acre M. U. Payne Wildlife Area.  

Wolf Hollow Wildlife Area forest wildlife stewardship plan open house rescheduled for April 18 in Corydon

• 3/24/2022 1:53:00 PM
• View Count 1239

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public open house on April 18, at 6 p.m. at the Wayne County Iowa State University Extension office, 220 East Jefferson Street, Suite 1, in Corydon, to discuss the history of the Wolf Hollow Wildlife Area and the proposed forest wildlife stewardship plan developed specifically for the area.

Open house to discuss Wolf Hollow Wildlife Area forest wildlife stewardship plan

• 2/14/2022 10:05:00 AM
• View Count 1524

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public open house on March 8, at 6 p.m. at Pin Oak Lodge, 45996 State Hwy. 14, south of Chariton, to discuss the history of the Wolf Hollow Wildlife Area and the proposed forest wildlife stewardship plan developed specifically for the area.

DNR to host open house to discuss Wolf Hollow Wildlife Area forest wildlife stewardship plan

• 1/13/2022 2:54:00 PM
• View Count 1766

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public open house on March 8, at 6 p.m., at Pin Oak Lodge, 45996 State Hwy. 14, south of Chariton, to discuss the history of the Wolf Hollow Wildlife Area and the proposed forest wildlife stewardship plan developed specifically for the area.

Hawkeye Wildlife Area as refuge reopens to the public Dec. 17

• 12/14/2021 2:58:00 PM
• View Count 1931

The 1,800-acre refuge section of Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County will reopen for public use on Dec. 17, for trapping and hunting game species, including hunting for geese.

DNR to host open house to discuss Loess Hills Wildlife Area forest wildlife stewardship plan

• 11/23/2021 2:30:00 PM
• View Count 1595

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public open house on Dec. 2, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Turin Community Center, at 310 Hwy 175, in Turin, to discuss a proposed forest wildlife stewardship plan at the Loess Hills Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

Open house to discuss Ram Hollow Wildlife Area forest wildlife stewardship plan

• 10/22/2021 2:10:00 PM
• View Count 1642

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public open house on Nov. 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Colesburg Community Center, 220 Jackson St., in Colesburg, to discuss a proposed forest wildlife stewardship plan for the area.

Restored Lizard Lake bustling with wildlife

• 10/5/2021 2:13:00 PM
• View Count 2442

Lizard Lake Wildlife Area’s resurgence began 10 years ago, when the 270-acre shallow lake was drained to rid itself of an unwanted carp population and to get vegetation established as a way to improve its poor water quality.

Waterfowl refuge at Hawkeye Wildlife Area closed until mid-December

• 9/28/2021 9:36:00 PM
• View Count 1679

SWISHER, Iowa - The waterfowl refuge at the Hawkeye Wildlife Area is currently closed to hunting all species to allow waterfowl and other birds a place to rest during the fall migration. The refuge closed Sept. 24, and will reopen to hunting mid-December.

Open house to discuss Sunken Grove Wildlife Area forest wildlife stewardship plan

• 9/23/2021 9:16:00 AM
• View Count 2049

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public open house on Oct 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the scenic overlook of the Sunken Grove Wildlife Area, to discuss a proposed forest wildlife stewardship plan for the area

Often overlooked, Eagle Lake is a high quality North Iowa wild place that's ready for prime time

• 9/14/2021 2:50:00 PM
• View Count 3889

Eagle Lake Wildlife Area is a 960-acre high quality natural marsh within a 2,000-acre complex that is an important stop for marsh birds on the migration route and home to unique plant and animal species not found in many places around Iowa.

Arson investigation leads state conservation officers to Williamsburg man

• 9/9/2021 7:10:00 AM
• View Count 5794

Jereme Goltz, of Williamsburg, faces charges including two counts of third-degree arson, felony possession of a controlled substance- methamphetamine (3rd or subsequent offense), and littering following a two-month long investigation by Iowa Department of Natural Resources conservation officers.

Drought impacting Iowa’s shallow lakes and wetlands

• 8/25/2021 8:21:00 AM
• View Count 2939

Parkersburg, Iowa - With much of Iowa currently under drought conditions, many shallow lakes and wetlands will either be dry or nearly dry, making scouting an important part of hunter’s preparation ahead of the 2021 waterfowl season.

Wapello Bottoms Wildlife Area adding to southeast Iowa’s recreation options

• 8/25/2021 8:17:00 AM
• View Count 2929

Sometimes, it seems when the stars are aligned, big things can happen. In this case, repeated flood events on the Iowa River in the early 2000s culminating with the flood of 2008 was the thing that allowed farmers who were tired of battling wet farmland to unload that headache and create a 2,800-acre public area.

Sedan Bottoms Wildlife Area offers outdoor recreation on a scale rarely found in Iowa

• 8/10/2021 1:14:00 PM
• View Count 4056

Exline, Iowa - Heading east for two miles on gravel from the Appanoose County town of Exline leads to the 7,300-acre Sedan Bottoms Wildlife Area, an important birding spot that is popular for duck hunting and home to legendary Iowa stags.  

Open house to discuss Augusta Wildlife Area forest wildlife stewardship plan

• 8/5/2021 2:00:00 PM
• View Count 1585

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public open house on August 18, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Cottonwood Loop shelter house of the Welter Recreation Area, to discuss a proposed forest wildlife stewardship plan at the Augusta Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

With its prairie established, Wapsi Flats Wildlife Area is starting to attract attention

• 8/3/2021 1:53:00 PM
• View Count 1872

Heading north on the Asherton Avenue just before the Howard-Chickasaw County line, is a mile-long prairie covered with yellow flowers. The prairie replaced the "Swamp Farm," as it was referred to by its former owner due to its almost constant wetness, and is now the Wapsi Flats Wildlife Area.

Goose Lake Wildlife Area has been a destination for Eastern Iowans for more than 70 years

• 7/13/2021 1:12:00 PM
• View Count 3799

Goose Lake, Iowa - Sitting on the west edge of the town of Goose Lake is a 1,300-acre public area that started as a soggy marsh that no one could tame but has become one of the more popular spots in the region, attracting visitors from Clinton, the Quad Cities and out of state.

Green Hill Wildlife Area won’t remain a secret for long

• 6/23/2021 6:58:00 AM
• View Count 5648

One of Iowa’s newest public wildlife areas is in the backyard of Council Bluffs and outside of a few keen-eyed hunters who noticed the green signs last fall, not many people know about it.

Hunting restricted at Otter Creek Marsh, Hawkeye Wildlife Area refuges to non-waterfowl species

• 12/8/2020 7:08:00 PM
• View Count 2598

The 450-acre wildlife refuge section of Otter Creek Marsh Wildlife Area in Tama County will open for public use on Dec. 9, including for trapping and hunting game species other than waterfowl.  

DNR to present plans to address derecho timber damage at Dec. 10 virtual meeting

• 11/30/2020 10:44:00 AM
• View Count 2533

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hosting a public meeting at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 10, to discuss a timber salvage project at three public wildlife areas in east central Iowa. The areas were all damaged by the derecho in August.

Forest wildlife stewardship plan for Tyrone Wildlife Area topic of Oct. 13 virtual public meeting

• 9/29/2020 2:19:00 PM
• View Count 2310

RUSSELL, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a virtual meeting on Oct. 13, beginning at 6 p.m., to discuss the recently completed forest wildlife stewardship plan for the Tyrone Wildlife Area.

Vern and Wilmer Petersen Wildlife Area is bringing in visitors year-round

• 9/29/2020 1:12:00 PM
• View Count 3306

Manilla, Iowa – Just southwest of Manilla on the Crawford-Shelby County line is a 450-acre gift to Iowans who love to be outdoors.

Union Hills checks all the boxes as a destination area

• 9/8/2020 3:09:00 PM
• View Count 4330

Union Hills Wildlife Area’s network of wetlands and prairie has that been-here-forever kind of feel to it.

Maturing prairie, improving wetlands make Kiowa Marsh popular for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds, and out of state pheasant hunters

• 8/25/2020 1:12:00 PM
• View Count 3670

Rich Feilmeier traces his family connection to Kiowa Marsh back to before WWII when his father purchased the land to farm and have a small cow calf operation. As a kid, he recalls hunting ducks and geese off the pond where they watered their cattle.

Remnant prairie is the jewel of Blackmun Prairie

• 8/4/2020 11:38:00 AM
• View Count 2922

Ackley, Iowa - Two miles northeast of Ackley off 320th Street blacktop is one of the rarest of Iowa’s habitat - roughly 60 acres of high-quality remnant prairie that is part of the Blackmun Prairie Wildlife Area – and is a popular site for prairie enthusiasts.

Hawthorn Wildlife Area is emerging as a must visit place for birders, hunters, anglers

• 7/14/2020 12:33:00 PM
• View Count 6073

Barnes City, Iowa - The change going on at Hawthorn Wildlife Area has been nothing short of extraordinary. Gone are hundreds of acres of non-native invasive brush and in its place is reconstructed prairie using local native prairie grass and wildflowers.

A quiet wild place

• 6/30/2020 2:42:00 PM
• View Count 3664

Mt. Sterling, Iowa - The Fox River Wildlife Area is about as far off the beaten path as person can get without getting totally lost. The public hunting area in southern Van Buren County is on the way to nowhere and except for some nonresidents who show up each deer season, it doesn’t get too many visitors.

Heritage Hills is developing into a destination public area 45 miles south of Des Moines

• 6/16/2020 1:47:00 PM
• View Count 5862

It’s not often that the opportunity to build a large wildlife area from the ground up comes along, but that’s what’s happening right now at Heritage Hills Wildlife Area on the Madison and Clarke County line. 

Forney Lake Wildlife Area offers outdoor recreation all year long

• 6/9/2020 3:21:00 PM
• View Count 6019

Thurman, Iowa - Sitting 30 miles south of Council Bluffs is a been-here-forever, old school kind of place that has been attracting duck hunters from across southwest Iowa for more than 100 years. Forney Lake Wildlife Area, acquired by the State of Iowa from the Forney family in 1943, has become a 1,317-acre public land mix of natural wetlands and Loess Hills bluffs, bisected by Bluff Road, in northwest Fremont County.

Lost Grove Wildlife Area is living up to high expectations

• 6/2/2020 11:42:00 AM
• View Count 7234

Eastern Iowa’s newest public wildlife area is also one of its most popular.

Volunteers step in to clean up popular shooting range

• 4/21/2020 12:42:00 PM
• View Count 2784

Swisher, Iowa - One of Iowa’s most heavily used shooting ranges was the recipient of a cleanup project led by volunteers who stepped in after the local range manager was sidelined with a non-work related injury.

Hunting restricted at Otter Creek Marsh Wildlife Area refuge to non-waterfowl species

• 12/16/2019 1:08:00 PM
• View Count 2808

The 450-acre wildlife refuge section of Otter Creek Marsh Wildlife Area in Tama County is open for public use, including for hunting game species other than waterfowl, and for trapping.

Otter Creek Marsh Wildlife Area refuge opens Dec. 13

• 12/5/2019 9:00:00 AM
• View Count 2447

The 450-acre wildlife refuge section of Otter Creek Marsh Wildlife Area in Tama County will be open for public use, including hunting and trapping, beginning Dec. 13. 

Hunters, birders are taking notice of the new Willie J Suchy Wildlife Area

• 10/22/2019 3:33:00 PM
• View Count 3495

Heading north off U.S. Hwy 63 east of New Sharon, it’s less than a mile before the gravel road dead ends in the west parking lot at the 225-acre Willie J Suchy Wildlife Area.

Turin Wildlife Area is another Loess Hills treasure

• 10/15/2019 11:32:00 AM
• View Count 4484

Turin, Iowa - Just north of the small town of Turin in central Monona County is a place where the threatened plains pocket mouse lives with legendary Iowa stags, rare plants and animals can be found, and volunteers come to help restore the landscape to more closely resemble what was here when western Iowa was settled.

Rice Lake use soars after lake renovation

• 9/17/2019 1:25:00 PM
• View Count 4317

LAKE MILLS, Iowa - Trevis and Kris Erickson saw as business opportunity emerge 150 feet from the front of their new home.

Green Island Wildlife Area battles through flooding

• 9/10/2019 2:19:00 PM
• View Count 4405

MILES, Iowa - Life along the Mississippi River is rarely boring. Case in point: the 4,000-acre Green Island Wildlife Area, in Jackson County.

Water pump repaired at Riverton Wildlife Area

• 9/3/2019 12:23:00 PM
• View Count 2468

Riverton, Iowa - The main pump at the Riverton Wildlife Area began pumping water again to the wetland on Aug. 27, after staff with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Nishnabotna Unit was able to clear the pump intake and get it running.

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