Iowa Sportsman June 2018

THE IOWA SPORTSMAN • 1517 3rd Ave NW • FORT DODGE IA 50501 • 877-424-4594 Presorted Standard U.S. Postage

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FEATURES 365: SOMETHING NEW INTERIOR PLOTS AND STAND TIPS OUTDOORS 36 WHITETAILS 10 TRYIN IOWA’S A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO TECH: THE ADVANTAGE TO 14 DEER HUNTING USING ELECTRONICS IN CATFISHING 42 CATFISH IOWA 3-D ARCHERY TRAIL 46 2018 18 FISHING IOWA’S RIVERS CAMPING HACKS EVERYONE CAN DO! ATV 101 50 KEY IN ON SPRING SMALLIES 22 28 THE ART OF KILLING MATURE BUCKS 54 A STUDENT OF THE GAME 32 DO THE FISH KNOW IT’S RAINING? 58

By Troy Hoepker

By Tom Peplinski

By Jason Smith

By Brad Durick

By Ben Leal

By Joel Johnson

By Mac Chilton

By Ben Leal

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By Ricky Kinder

By Todd Reed

By Brad Durick

DEPARTMENTS 49 TROPHY ROOM 6 PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT GUNDOG CORNER SPORTSMAN INTERACTIVE 8 IOWA 61 PHASES/ SUNRISE-SUNSET 9 MOON 64 IOWA COOKBOOK 27 AROUND THE STATE 66 FISHING IOWA

By Patrick McKinney

Photos Submitted by Readers

Turkey Recipes

By Bob Jensen

ON THE COVER

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Welcome to the June issue of The Iowa Sportsman Magazine! On the cover this month is a photo of a colorful rattle trap bait. Rattle trap baits are versatile option for fishing in Iowa, but most often used for bass.

They can be fished at different depths, provide multiple color variations, and add a noise factor to your presentation.

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The Iowa Sportsman

June 2018

PUBLISHER STATEMENT

NICE LITTLE WINTER WE HAD DURING SPRING I may have cursed us Iowans a bit when I wrote about springtime being on

my mind back in the April issue. Since then Iowa has seen unseasonably low temperatures and the northern part of the state has seen as many as six snowstorms.

As the title of my column suggests, this spring has actually been an extension of winter. I think we had more snow here in northern Iowa during the first 30 days of

spring than we did all of fall and winter and a lot of normal seasonal activities we are use to were thrown off.

For example, while turkey season must go on most of us are not accustom to

hunting in snow and freezing temps. The good thing though is it looks like the

weather didn’t affect things all that much by the amount of harvest photos we have seen. Way to gut it out folks! Another thing thrown off by the winter like weather

is the morel mushroom season. Usually in Iowa you can start finding them midApril. I would bet this season will be a bit slow as the ground temps have to be a

certain degree to spur growth. Let’s hope as the temps warm the morels still pop!

I know that the farmers and kids are not too happy with the weather either. The snow and cold has pushed the farmers getting in the fields and the kids getting out of school back quite a bit.

What will probably happen is we don’t have a spring at all and go from 30

degree days straight to 80 degree summer like days. That might not sound like a bad trade off, but I for one am kind of a spring season lover. I will take mid-60 degree to low 70 degree days every time before I would 80 plus temperatures. So lets hope we have an extended spring just like we did with winter.

TWIN RIVERS MEDIA, LLC. 1517 3rd Avenue NW Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 877-424-4594

VOLUME 16 • NUMBER 6 • JUNE 2018

Gale W. McKinney II, President & CEO Patrick McKinney, Publisher Audra McKinney, VP of Finance Dustin Hector, VP of Sales Aaron McKinney, Field Editor Brandon Peterson, Art Director/Graphic Designer Teri Marsh, Graphic Designer Dawn Busse, Office Manager Shawna Nelson, Circulation Manager

OUTDOOR MARKETING SPECIALISTS

Joyce Kenney - joyce@twinriversmedia.com Ed Juncker - ed@twinriversmedia.com Kendra Sassman - kendra@twinriversmedia.com

SUBSCRIPTION SALES

Shawna Nelson - shawna@twinriversmedia.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Tom Peplinski, Todd Reed, Troy Hoepker, Mac Chilton, Joel Johnson, Jason Smith, Ben Leal, Ricky Kinder, Brad Durick, and Bob Jensen.

It is April 19th as I am writing this column, hopefully we have seen an end

to winter…fingers crossed! However, I do remember in 2013 when Iowa got

hammered with up to a foot of snow in the early parts of May! So maybe we are not done with winter just yet? Shoot! I may have just cursed everyone again…if it snows again you can send me your hate mail, I deserve it.

Depending on what season comes next this year, may it be a blessed one for

you!

Patrick McKinney

@TheIowaSportsmanMagazine

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The Iowa Sportsman

The information and advertising set forth herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable and compiled with great care. Twin Rivers Media, LLC. however, does not warrant complete accuracy of such information and assumes no responsibility for any consequences arising from the use thereof or reliance thereon. Our advertisers are solely responsible for the content of their respective advertisements appearing in this publication, and Publisher shall not be responsible or liable in any manner for inaccuracies, false statements or any material in such advertisement infringing upon the intellectual rights of others.

Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement or space reservation at any time without notice. Publisher shall not be liable for any costs or damages if for any reason it fails to publish an advertisement. This publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Copyright © 2018 All rights reserved.

The Iowa Sportsman was awarded the Niche Magazine Award for best consumer magazine in the nation!

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INTERACTIVE PAGE

WHAT AM I

IOWA SPORTSMAN ONLINE POLL WHICH WOULD YOU LEAST LIKE TO BE EXPOSED TO, A 110 DEGREE DAY WITH 100% HUMIDITY OR A -20 DEGREE DAY WITH -50 WIND CHILL? Heat/Humidity 46% Cold/Wind 44% 239 votes

CAN YOU GUESS THE OBJECT IN THE PHOTO?

Please send your guesses to The Iowa Sportsman at 1597 3rd Ave. NW Fort Dodge, IA 50501 or email to info@twinriversmedia.com. Answer will be given in the following month on the interactive page.

WHAT AM I WINNER

The winner of last month’s “What Am I” was Keri Toot.

The answer was: leaf bud.

Like us on Facebook! @ theiowasportsmanmagazine

FIND THE MISSING ANTLER We need your help readers! The antler in The Iowa Sportsman logo has come off and we need your help to bring it back! This antler could be anywhere, but most likely it will be hiding in a photo, so it will not be easily found.

If you find the missing antler in this month’s The Iowa Sportsman magazine, send in your guesses via email to info@twinriversmedia. com or by mail with the page number and a brief description of where the antler is found. A reader with the first correct answer will be listed in next month’s magazine. Good luck! The antler last month was located on page 47.

THE WINNER OF THE MAY ISSUE WAS MACK DERKS

PHOTO HUNT: CAN YOU FIND THE 12 DIFFERENCES ON THIS PHOTO?

Answers: Upper right corner lake is missing a piece,“L” is missing in the town Spirit Lake, Hwy 71 sign in the middle of the page is moved down, top middle lake is turned around, the “West” is missing from West Okoboji Lake, a notch is taken out of West Okoboji Lake, lower left lake area is bigger by West Okoboji, 202nd St is vertical, secondary road is missing in middle of page, red dot on East Okoboji, extra orange Hwy, top center lake is missing.

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MOON PHASES

May/June 2018 13 Visible: 6%

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WITH PROMISE OF a beautiful spring day, I had made plans for an all outdoors St.

fairly new to us. It still amazes me how many things there are in the Iowa outdoors to do, and see. There’s a new experience around every corner of the state. You just have to jump in and be willing to try something new. Right under our noses lie opportunities to experience things we’ve never done and some of them are unique and only found in Iowa! With spring here, it’s a great time to try one of these outdoor activities that may be new to you!

Patty’s Day a few years back for my 6-year old son Dylan and I. The plan was for us to go coyote calling together and then look for some Indian artifacts and deer antler sheds the rest of the day along with whatever else we could stumble into along the way. After setting off, we found four bald eagles sitting by the road and got in some bird watching with the binoculars and camera for a while. We then stopped by a little pond next to the road and watched some migrating ducks swimming around and playing in the water. After that it was time to get serious about some hunting, so we painted our faces NATIVE AMERICAN ARTIFACT HUNTING Maybe you’ve heard about those who with some camo face paint and headed to a hunting tower overlooking some beautiful hunt artifacts or maybe you’ve seen Indian and always wondered how to go country. Dylan ran the remote on the electronic caller as it blared out the sounds of a artifacts about finding them yourself? Becoming tormented rabbit in hopes that a coyote would soon be by. It must have been too nice of an artifact hunter is simple, you just need to do a little research, familiarize yourself a day for the coyotes to be interested but Dylan had fun hunting out of the tower. with the shapes and things to look for and After another failed attempt to call any coyotes, we stopped the truck near a small little bridge and hopped into a pretty meandering little creek to do some prospecting. After sitting still and quiet for a while this 6-year old needed to burn off some energy! I had wanted to hit this creek for a while in search of some artifacts because it had several nice gravel bars on it and was in an area that I knew was once home to local Indian tribes. We had looked over three or four gravel bars and found a couple of cool looking rocks Dylan wanted to take home when we came around the bend in the river and found a huge collection of rocks along one side.

After searching for a while, Dylan and I were crouched down together studying the shapes and sizes among a smaller patch of rocks when I said, “Look at that Dylan!” as I reached over to pick up a triangular

June 2018

shaped piece. “Is it an arrowhead?” he asked. Before answering I gave it a quick look and then said, “Dylan we just found our first point together buddy!”

We were instantly all smiles as the astonishment of actually finding one was sinking in. I’m not sure who was more excited, him or me. After a big high five to each other we each spent time carefully looking over the piece. We continued on finding what could have been a game ball used by the Indians and a couple of stones possibly used as grinding stones. After leaving the creek, we walked back to the truck through some timber and fields shed hunting and were able to pick up a couple of discarded antlers. But that perfect little arrowhead we found remains as a memento to this day for us as a memory of a wonderful day spent outdoors with my son!

At that time Indian artifact hunting was

find good areas to look. Be familiar with the shapes of arrowheads, axes, spears, drills, scrapers, game balls, birdy points, grinding stones, etc. Warning………this adventure can get quite addictive!

Iowa’s prairies were home to thousands of Indian tribes for thousands of years and they left a lot behind. Naturally, water sources were of vital importance to Indian tribes and thus our rivers and creeks hold countless hidden treasures just waiting to be discovered. But how do you know which rivers to look in? For starters, do a little research on local Indian tribe history in areas you’d like to begin your search. County history books, Iowa Indian history books, as well as multiple online sources can be attained to gather knowledge on the general areas where local Indian tribes lived for hundreds of years. Talk to landowners, other artifact hunters, and local historians to find TheIowaSportsman.com

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TRYING SOMETHING NEW IN IOWA’S OUTDOORS areas where Indians lived. Study land features once you’ve narrowed your search. Anywhere where two rivers come together is a good spot.

High ridges away from a flood plain above a river are likely good spots to find campsites.

Artifacts left behind have washed down from campsites over thousands of years into waterways. Check gravel bars in the rivers closely where rocks and debris collect in mass.

Many times some of these artifacts will collect into these gravel bars. Every time we have a heavy downpour the currents of the rivers will change the underwater landscape and move around the rock and sediment uncovering new pieces constantly.

You can also concentrate your searches on campsite locations. Farmers have moved away from the moldboard plow these days so artifacts aren’t unearthed at the pace they once were in fields but they can still be found by looking after recent rains, or after a farmer has turned over the ground by disking, field cultivating or even planting. Erosion alone unearths many artifacts. In fields look for chert and flakes left behind from the tool making Indians did while making their points. If a spot looks like a good place to camp that might have had protection from the winds, and close to a river, then it’s likely the Indians thought it was a good place too. Lastly, be patient and

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The Iowa Sportsman

stick to it! Finding your first artifact usually doesn’t come quickly, but the more you get involved in doing it, the better you’ll get and that first artifact will be worth it!

KAYAKING

One of the most relaxing, enjoyable activities that many people have never done is kayaking or canoeing down one of Iowa’s many rivers or lakes. Spend a lazy afternoon floating along and seeing the view and discoveries each bend in the river or body of water offers. Gather friends to take a trip along with you or take the family. Kids love moving along the water and discovering all kinds of things along the way. Fishing from a kayak can be a great way to hit some great spots along the river or lake where the bite is on. If you’re into exercise you can turn your kayaking trip into an intensive workout by pushing those paddles as hard as you can. Whether you’re into a peaceful, tranquil float across the water taking in the scenery or hitting some rougher currents and experiencing the rush of moving swiftly across the water, kayaking offers a little bit for everyone and Iowa has plenty of wonderful waterways to explore!

MUSHROOM HUNTING

Even though so many people enjoy

eating delicious mushrooms, actually hunting mushrooms in Iowa’s outdoors is an activity that many haven’t tried. More specifically, hunting the morel mushroom.

It’s a relaxing way to spend some time in the woods. Study up on mushroom identification so you know which types are safe to consume. When springtime rolls around and the ground temperatures begin to rise it’s time to think about getting out there. When daytime temperatures start getting above 60 and nighttime temperatures are above 45, morels should be on the rise. But they can be fickle and stump you. Seemingly one day they aren’t there and the next they are. Loamy soils are good places to look, but morels can appear anywhere. Morels like to hang around certain types of trees. Elm, hickory, ash, poplar and apple trees are good locations to look around. Try and get out there before the grasses and weeds get tall enough to hide smaller morels. Watch those south and west facing slopes early in the season.

This could be the tastiest of all outdoor activities you can do when you have luck!

GEOCACHING

An ever-increasing outdoor activity is geocaching. It’s become popular with

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younger generations and offers a good way to experience nature and exercise. What is geocaching you may ask? It’s an outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. The fun is trying to locate the hidden geocache (container) hidden near certain GPS coordinates. It can become quite addictive.

Enter a geocaching website and look for a listing of geocaches hidden by those who are active in geocaching. Enter the coordinates into your GPS device or phone and set out to look for it. This activity has become so popular that these hidden caches are all over.

State parks, public parks and almost anywhere you can think of could be places to go out and look. You might be surprised how much fun you’ll have once you try it.

TROUT FISHING

Trout fishing in Iowa??? Yep, that’s right we have it. You won’t find trout just everywhere but if you’re an avid angler who hasn’t tried trout fishing before, head to one of Iowa’s trout streams to give it a shot! Iowa has three trout hatcheries all in Northeast Iowa at Manchester, Decorah and Big Springs. Iowa trout streams offer rainbow, brown and brook trout both naturally reproducing and stocked. You can find more information about location

June 2018

of trout streams, qualities and when streams will be stocked at the Iowa DNR website.

SEARCHING FOR GEODES

Millions of years ago a shallow sea over Iowa directly contributed to one of the more productive geode collecting areas in the world and it’s right here in Southeastern Iowa. Known as the “Keokuk geodes” because of Keokuk’s location of being in the heart of geode country, these geodes can be found in specific stream drainages in Lee, Henry and Van Buren counties.

Geodes are found in limestone formations and have a hard outer shell. But inside is the treasure. Prize geodes are partially hollow with crystal like formations containing a variety of minerals but quartz and calcite are dominant in most providing a beautiful jeweled interior. Geodes can also be dug out of exposures of rock and earth where they concentrated in certain layers. Rock hounds from all over come to this area for geode hunting. There are resources in the Keokuk area to help you get started as well. A geode you find can make a beautiful showpiece once it’s cut, cleaned and displayed!

CAMPING

Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve

packed up and went camping? Or maybe you never have at all? There’s something fun about grabbing a tent, a sleeping bag, and the other necessities and hitting the great outdoors. A relaxing campfire and sunset can be just what’s needed to get away from the fast lane of life. Iowa’s beautiful state parks offer wonderful campgrounds with plenty of activities to keep you busy!

HIKING

It’s amazing just how big some of our state parks seem to be once you get deep in the heart of them. Hiking can be great exercise and you can go at the pace that you want. Explore the scenic areas, go birding, and check the wild flowers or anything else your heart desires while exploring the trails. I’ve used a good hike as a scouting tool to find good hunting areas hidden within public parks.

HUNT A NEW SPECIES

So many Iowans deer hunt or perhaps pheasant hunt, but there are so many other game animals here to pursue! Doves, Crows, ducks, geese, quail, coyote and turkeys all offer unique hunting experiences! Maybe it’s time to give a new form of hunting a try for the challenge!

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WHETHER YOU’RE FORTUNATE enough to be invited to join someone on your first deer hunt, or you’ve decided to give it a go all on your own, everybody has to start somewhere.

I was fortunate enough to join my father’s shotgun hunting party when I was 14, many moons ago. In just a few short seasons, I picked up a wealth of invaluable knowledge from that wise ol’ group of veteran deer hunters; knowledge that would have taken me a lifetime to accumulate on my own, if ever.

Archery and muzzle loader hunting are methods that have been more or less selftaught for me over more recent years. They all have their advantages and disadvantages over one another, but I love them all, and consider myself fortunate to live in a state that has a healthy deer population and provides a wide range of hunting seasons.

“My biggest fear is that when I die, my wife will sell my hunting gear for what I said I paid for it.” I laugh every time I read this saying; partially because it’s just plain funny, but mostly because it’s true. With close to three decades of deer hunting experience, I’ve bought, sold, broken, and given or thrown away more gear than I’d like to admit.

Whoever said parents have to pay for their kid’s college tuition anyway?

This article is for the beginner deer hunters though, not the seasoned ones. With that said, again, everybody has to start somewhere.

In the beginning…

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CHOOSING A DEER HUNTING METHOD

In Iowa, I suggest you wet your feet with one of these three hunting methods: shotgun, archery, or muzzle loader.

I suggest shotgun hunting mainly because it can be participated in as a group. If, for whatever reason, you don’t feel comfortable carrying a weapon initially, you can simply shadow another hunter. I suggest you shadow a more seasoned hunter versus another novice, for obvious reasons. Walking and posting, you’re right there with them step-for-step. It’s a great way to learn the physical terrain of the areas you hunt, witness deer activity, and observe the other hunter(s) react and respond. Happy hunters tend to be a chatty group when they’re hunting together.

You can also pick up pearls of wisdom from just participating in friendly conversations within the group.

If you’re lucky, a friend or family member will ask you to join them. If that’s not the case, don’t hesitate to ask if you can tag along with an established group, or start one of your own.

I suggest archery hunting mainly because the season is extremely long, and the rut falls within it. The abundance of time is always a plus, and the rut dramatically increases

daytime deer activity. Archery equipment has vastly improved over the past twentysome years too. Fast, smooth, strait shooting compound bows, with high percentage letoff’s, have opened up archery hunting for youth, women, and men alike.

Archery hunting is more of a solo and quiet practice, with lots of sitting / standing still for long periods of time. Unless you’re covering ground, archery hunting can be one of the least physical demanding deer hunting methods.

I suggest muzzle loader hunting mainly because the seasons are longer than the shotgun seasons, and because the combined range and accuracy of a muzzle loader are advantages over both shotgun and archery hunting.

Like archery hunting, muzzle loader hunting is more of a solo and quiet practice.

(Shotgun hunting too, if not party hunting.)

The increased range of a muzzy can make the difference between not being able to seal the deal with a shotgun or bow, and putting venison in the freezer.

KEEP IT SIMPLE AND BUDGET FRIENDLY

Just because so-and-so on TV gives credit for their success to all of that fancy new expensive equipment they promote for their sponsors, doesn’t mean that it’s necessary for harvesting deer.

For the beginner: high-end optics / scopes, cantilevered rifled barrels, $10 per round TheIowaSportsman.com

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A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO DEER HUNTING precious metal ammunition, $30 carbon arrows, $20 broad heads, laser rangefinders, all-terrain vehicles, etc. are not necessary to harvest deer. Expensive scent control clothing also isn’t necessary, when playing the wind is always free. A valid hunting license and tag, a borrowed or second hand firearm / bow and ammo, plus a blaze orange vest (if required), is all it takes to get started.

Not sure you’re all that serious about deer hunting just yet? Ask somebody if you can tag along and/or borrow equipment. Ever hear the saying, “The only thing better than owning a boat is having a friend who owns one.”? Well, there’s a lot of truth to that for many things in life. If you like it, chances are, you’ll buy your own. If it doesn’t blow your hair back, or you don’t care to go often, borrowing, or even renting, is much less expensive than buying and maintaining.

Seasoned hunters often have more than one firearm and/or bow. Again, don’t be afraid to ask if you can borrow. I’ve lent out one of my shotguns on several occasions, and a borrowed late model bow ignited my desire to get into archery hunting.

Late model, good condition, used gear can be picked up for a fraction of the cost of new.

Don’t be afraid to buy used. A 2014 Elite, PSE, Prime, etc. bow may not match the FPS of a 2018 model, but it was (and still is) a darn good late model bow. There’s a good chance you can pick it up all dialed in and with a few extra goodies to boot.

Craigslist and eBay are my dear friends when it comes to buying gear. They aren’t friendly toward firearm sales, so I research and shop all around for them when I’m in the market. I could go on for days about the high quality but economical makes / brands and models of equipment I suggest buying, (e.g. ammunition, arrows, broadheads, boots, etc.), however, I realize everybody’s preferences are different, so I’ll save that for another article.

When it comes to clothing, nothing special or super expensive is necessary.

Warm outdoor work cloths, that you may already have, can be used. A cheap blaze orange vest (if required). Most any type of cheap camouflage outerwear works well, as long as it breaks up your silhouette. Hardware store gloves. Work boots. I will admit that the proper footwear can make your hunt more enjoyable. Make sure your footwear is appropriate for your hunting conditions and methods. Sweaty, frozen and/or blistered feet can ruin a hunt; so can slipping and sliding / loose footing and lugging around boots as heavy as cinder blocks.

SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

Unrealistic Expectations. Setting unrealistic expectations can, and often does, end in disappointment, and turns many off from hunting early on. When I started hunting, I just wanted to see a deer. See. One. Single.

Deer. That’s it. I saw a truck load of deer and actually harvested a button buck my first season. I was hooked!

Last season, I wanted to see at least one 170-plus inch buck on the hoof. Not even in range. Just to see one… I don’t think I did. Maybe a few that came close, but probably not one that broke 170. And I’ve done this for nearly 30 years now, AND, according to my wife, I hunted WAY too much last season.

Some realistic expectations are: I want to enjoy nature today. I want to learn something new today, (e.g. the lay of the land, where deer are traveling, how and where to better setup in the future, etc.). I want to see a deer today. I want to have a deer within range today. I want to harvest a deer this season. I want to harvest an antlered deer this season. I want to see or have a ‘BIG’ buck come within range this season, (whatever ‘BIG’ means to you).

Etc.

RULES TO LIVE BY

You’re not invincible. Stay safe! When blaze orange is required, wear it and stay visible. Know what’s in the backdrop before you shoot. If you find yourself in a dangerous situation, hit the ground, duck behind a tree, or back out. Safety harnesses save lives in tree stand falls. Let people know where you are and what time to expect you back.

Practice. Practice! PRACTICE!!! Dial in your equipment and become extremely comfortable using it. Your odds of making a successful harvest increase greatly if/ when you’re proficient at using your equipment. A 20 year old, second hand bow can easily harvest a deer in trained hands. A brand new, expensive bow can easily miss a deer in untrained hands.

Take ethical shots. Proper shot placement can often make the difference between recovering your deer and feeding the coyotes.

Don’t set your expectations to anyone else’s standards. If you’re a meat hunter, or if it excites you to harvest a doe or a young button buck, don’t hesitate to take the first ethical shot opportunity. It’s your tag and your hunt.

Go out and have FUN! You don’t live to work. You work to live. Enjoy your hunt!

Or, maybe I should say, Don’t Set

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RIVER FISHING… it’s one of the best ways to enjoy the great outdoors here in Iowa.

You can find solitude, peace and quiet and amazing fishing all at the same time. As a young angler growing up in New Mexico I spent hours wading cool mountain streams chasing after elusive rainbow trout. It, at times, would take several hours to make the trip in search of rivers and streams off the beaten path.

Iowa holds some of those pristine areas as well and one of the benefits we have here is the fact that we can travel to rivers and streams in as little as a couple of hours.

Bordered by two of the most majestic rivers in the country, the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers, sandwiched inbetween are countless opportunities to chase after both warm water species as well as those that inhabit cooler waters.

We’re going to take a quick trip around the State and with the help of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources biologists, we’ll give you all a few ideas of places to visit and what species you might find.

LITTLE SIOUX RIVER

The upper portion of the Little Sioux, in my opinion, gets overlooked somewhat”, said IDNR District Fisheries Biologist Mike Hawkins. “We stock walleyes in several locations as far north as the Minnesota border.” For Northwest Iowa and the prairie landscape, the Little Sioux River Valley has some of the most scenic stretches in the State. The Little Sioux cuts back and forth along the margin of the Des Moines Lobe, so its floodplain varies from wide sweeping prairies in northern Dickinson County to steep and wooded in southern Dickinson County then back to open in northern Clay County before diving back into a rugged valley in southern Clay, northern Buena Vista, and Cherokee Counties.

The variety of fish that inhabit this river is plentiful. Some of the more popular species to chase after are largemouth bass, northern pike, three species of catfish, and one of Iowa’s favorites; walleye. There’s plenty of habitat diversity along the way and ample opportunities to lock onto your favorite quarry. For a complete list of the species of fish that inhabit this river and to access downloadable maps visit the IDNR’s website under the fishing tab and search for the Little Sioux River.

DES MOINES RIVER (CENTRAL IOWA)

Anglers in this part of the state are no strangers to the Des Moines River.

Flowing through the center of the State it helps make up Saylorville Lake, running downstream all the way to Lake Red Rock Reservoir, continuing southward until it meets the Mississippi River.

The fishery is home to almost every warm water species of fish that you can think of. “The Des Moines River for anglers in central Iowa in downtown Des Moines is one of the top producers”, said IDNR Fisheries Management Biologist Ben Dodd. “It’s a great place for a mixed bag of fish”. Anglers tend to catch both flathead and channel catfish just after ice-out below the Center Street Dam (downtown Des Moines). “We tend to see some nice northern pike caught below the Saylorville Lake dam in March”, adds Dodd. “Anglers also catch walleye from Feb - mid-April below the Scott Avenue Bridge.” White June 2018

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FISHING IOWA’S RIVERS bass are some of the feistiest fish to catch while on a lake yet alone in a river where you have a steady flow of water. Add the hybrid striped bass to the mix and you’ll end of with an exciting afternoon of fishing. “We’ll see anglers catching these two species of fish from late April to mid-May below the Scott Avenue Bridge as well”, noted the biologist.

so consider fishing during weekdays or autumn to avoid crowds.

NORTHEAST IOWA – TROUT COUNTRY

We’ve covered quite a few of the larger rivers in Iowa where warm water species have dominated the topic of discussion.

We would be remiss by not mentioning a part of Iowa where the cool streams flow and rainbow, brook and brown trout call them home. Plenty of opportunities await trout anglers in Iowa; 50 catchableThe Cedar River, Shell Rock River, stocked rainbow and brook trout fisheries and West Fork Cedar River come on publicly-accessible streams, 9 special together in northwest Black Hawk trout fisheries with restrictive regulations, County and form one of the best river 17 urban trout fisheries and over 50 wild, fishery areas in the state. “There are self-sustaining trout fisheries throughout excellent opportunities for quality northeast Iowa Schedule time during your next trip to channel catfish, smallmouth bass, and walleye”, said Dan Kirby IDNR Natural northeast Iowa to visit one of Iowa’s three Resources Biologist.

“Varieties of trout hatcheries; Manchester, Decorah, or access points are available for shore Big Springs. The grounds to each facility fishing, a boat with outboard, or canoe/ are open to the public year-round from kayak fishing.” Several larger cities sunrise to sunset. Fisheries employees are (Cedar Falls, Waterloo, and Waverly) available during office hours to answer in the vicinity provide a multitude all your trout fishing questions.

I’ve taken the drive to some of those of food, entertainment, and lodging clear cool streams and have had the opportunities for those interested in challenge of attempting to sneak up on tasty, lively, or comfortable additions to wary trout in crystal clear water. Using a the outdoor getaway. flyrod, crawling up to an area where you can make a clean cast on your knees is always fun! You just have to ignore the The upper Wapsipinicon (Black family members that are laughing as you Hawk, Buchanan, and Linn County) do so. is a regional favorite for northern pike Some of the memorable trips up to and smallmouth bass. “The northern the Northeast part of Iowa include trips pike fishing is particularly good on the to the North and South Bear Creeks Wapsipinicon for both numbers and size in the Highlandville area. There are of fish and the population in the upper campgrounds and hotel accommodations segment is entirely sustained through throughout the area. There are areas natural reproduction”, noted Kirby. where private landowners have allowed “The Wapsipinicon has been producing anglers access to portions of the rivers some “fantastic-sized” smallmouth bass that cross their land. These areas are for the past several years as well.” There clearly marked, always be conscious of are also good catches of walleye at times. your surroundings, be respectful of the There are several small walk-in public land and pack out what you pack in. areas for fishing. Canoes and flat-bottom The resources we enjoy here in Iowa boats provide better access to some of are wide and varied. The IDNR does a great the best fishing locations. job of providing information through their website offering downloadable fishing maps as well as detailed information on The Maquoketa River has a well- access and amenities available at locations deserved reputation as an excellent you’re thinking about fishing. Always smallmouth bass river. “Some of the best- remember that the resource is there for known segments include the “Bass Catch everyone to enjoy and we all need to do and Release Area” below Delhi Dam in our part in taking care of it and preserving Delaware County and the Pictured Rocks these fisheries for generations to come. segment in Jones County”, recommends Get out and enjoy some of Iowa’s rivers the biologist. There are also good this summer…Tight Lines All! catches of walleye at times. The upper Maquoketa River is also popular for other river recreation (kayaking and tubing),

CEDAR RIVER AND SHELL ROCK RIVER – TURKEY FOOT REGION

WAPSIPINICON RIVER

MAQUOKETA RIVER

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pound doe through knee deep snow and waist deep drifts, “It’s only another half-mile to the truck… Only another half-mile…”

I’m certain that many reading this story have memories of deer hunts, ice-fishing adventures, and sledding excursions that would have benefitted tremendously from one thing- an ATV. If you’re in your 40s like me, you remember the first ATVs that hit the market in the 80s. It all started June 2018

with the clumsy and dangerous threewheelers some of you probably rolled over in a ditch; evolving into the highly sophisticated four-wheelers and side-byside UTVs available today.

As technology and features have improved, the popularity of the ATV

has skyrocketed.

Fully automatic transmissions have eliminated clutches and shifting. Four-stroke engines no longer require messy gas and oil mixing.

Liquid-cooled engines have made the machines more reliable, last longer, and more comfortable to ride in warm weather.

Four-wheel independent suspension has dramatically improved ride and traction.

Power steering has made even the largest ATVs easy to handle, and shaft drive has eliminated the need to maintain greasy TheIowaSportsman.com

Photo courtesy of Kawasaki Motors Corp.

ONE THOUGHT KEPT coming to mind as my best friends and I dragged the 200

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ATV 101

chains and replace worn out sprockets.

In addition, fuel injection and engines boasting more than 50 horsepower now enable some models to tow up to 1,400 pounds! Today’s ATV is no longer just a handy tool for navigating tight spaces, checking fences, or blasting around a dirt track. Manufacturers now have units designed to meet the needs of any outdoor enthusiast!

Like buying a boat, the first thing to consider when buying an ATV is how you plan to use it most often. To make selecting one easier, ATVs can be broken down into the following categoriesyouth, entry-level, utility, sport-utility, sport, and two-up (www.ATV.com). Youth models are basically smaller, lighter, and less-expensive versions of adult models including both two and four-wheel drive.

Entry-level or “recreational trail class” ATVs are larger and more expensive than youth vehicles with easy to operate engines and tame handling. Recreational class machines are also well-suited for smaller framed adult riders.

Utility class ATVs are very capable machines designed for heavy duty applications.

These vehicles are equipped with metal racks front and back for hauling cargo and have powerful drivetrains for towing trailers, pulling farm implements, and attaching blades to push snow. The utility class is one of the most popular ATV categories for farm and acreage owners due to their size and strength. In addition, hunters and even law enforcement often choose utility ATVs for a variety of applications where excellent ground clearance, traction, and

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horsepower are vital.

The sport utility ATV class is the bestselling and most popular. These vehicles combine the best features of both utility and sport class machines; maximizing versatility for the widest range of applications. A properly equipped sport utility ATV can cultivate food plots one day and tackle the most challenging trail or sand dunes the next. These models feature faster engines than utility class machines; adding racks and trailer hitches to sport class vehicles.

ATVs in the sport class are focused on speed, acrobatics, and agility! Experienced riders can push these machines to their limits; flying through the air, popping wheelies, and speeding around dirt tracks.

These models are lightweight, twowheel drive, and equipped with manual transmissions. They have a sporty look and feel with aggressive styling a drag racer’s stance.

The two-up ATV class includes some of the largest machines on the market.

Two-up models have a longer wheel base and upgraded suspension designed to support two riders. These vehicles usually come equipped with a second set of floor boards and a raised rear seat. From a performance perspective the two-up class is aligned with utility class vehicles with powerful engines and robust transmissions.

Individuals needing to carry heavy loads, pull larger trailers, and haul up to six people should look at purchasing a UTV, also known as a side-by-side.

These vehicles are much larger than an ATV and can be thought of as golf carts To Subscribe CALL 877-424-4594

on steroids! UTVs are several thousand dollars more expensive than similarly equipped ATVs and are available with gasoline or fully electric powertrains.

Similar to ATVs, there are several classes of UTV ranging from modest work horses designed for farm chores up to extreme performance models that can be modified to conquer the deepest, darkest, mud bog or desert racing circuit.

Once you determine what class of ATV to buy, it is important to sit on as many models as possible at your local motorsports dealer or big box outfitter.

Make sure to match the ATV size to your physical size whenever possible. Buying a model that is too small will limit leg room and encourage poor posture; leaving a rider feeling cramped and uncomfortable.

The vehicle will also be more difficult to control and your backside will resent the punishment.

On the contrary, buying an oversized model will deliver similar results; compromising posture, bouncing you out of the seat, and fatiguing muscles prematurely.

The right-sized model should provide adequate leg room, generous suspension travel, and optimum horsepower to insure a comfortable and safe ride whether simply doing chores or going on an all-day trail ride.

The decision to purchase a new or used ATV depends on personal preference, experience riding, and budget. Once you’ve decided on a make and model it is always good to compare new and used prices and don’t forget to troll Craig’s List for bargains. Again, like buying a

June 2018

used boat, never negotiate price on a used model until you’ve had the opportunity to sit on it, check fluid levels, test lighting and controls, start it up, and ride it. These machines are designed for off road use in harsh conditions and they’ve often seen some abuse prior to hitting the sale block. Savings on a used model can be eaten up quickly by costly repairs and fortunately there are several ATV buying guides available online. Take one of these checklists with you when looking at a used machine and you could bring home a great deal or walk away from a lemon.

Finally, it is crucial that all ATV riders know how to safely operate these powerful machines. In Iowa, all riders from ages 12 through 17 are required to have taken and passed an ATV education course and have an education certificate in their possession when riding on public land, public ice, and designated riding areas and trails, if these areas are signed open to ATV (http://www.iowadnr.gov/Things-to-Do/ Off-Highway-Vehicles/ATV-Education).

Please make sure you visit the IADNR site for additional information, requirements, and recommendations for safely operating an ATV. Every year children and adults are injured and killed while riding ATVs, and it is critical that owners, friends, and especially children know how to ride safely. Helmets, goggles, and other protective equipment are an excellent starting point, and adding a rider-based skills course is an invaluable step to preventing a tragedy.

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AROUND THE STATE

NINE IOWA STATE PARKS TO HOST UNIVERSITY OF IOWA WILDLIFE CAMPS This summer, the University of Iowa is partnering with Iowa state parks to host Wildlife Camps for kids in

nine state parks.

“Wildlife Camps have been a popular educational and recreational experience in the Iowa City area for more than 25 years and we are excited to share this program with kids across the state,” said Jay Gorsh, program coordinator. “Campers will spend a week exploring, learning and playing – in the wild.”

The University of Iowa hosted the Wildlife Camps in six state parks last year. The camps were so successful the university is expanding to nine parks for 2018. The day camps are for students entering 3rd-7th grade and offer fun, exploratory activities focusing on the wildlife, natural habitats and unique features of each state park. Dates and locations of each day camp are as follows: Mines of Spain (Dubuque) June 11-15 Springbrook (Guthrie Center) Hawk Camp: June 11-15 and/or Eagle Camp: July 16-20(Activities will vary between Hawk and Eagle Camp. Students are welcome to join us for both weeks!)

George Wyth (Cedar Falls) June 18-22 Walnut Woods (West Des Moines) June 18-22 Maquoketa Caves (Maquoketa) June 25-29 Lake Darling (Brighton) June 25-29 Waubonsie (Hamburg) July 16-20 Ledges (Madrid) July 23-27 Viking Lake (Stanton) July 23-27 Registration is open and enrollment will be limited to 40 students per camp. Cost is $150 per week. To register and learn more about the camps visit recserv.uiowa.edu/wildlife-camps-state-parks

MAIN ROAD THROUGH MAQUOKETA CAVES STATE PARK TO CLOSE TEMPORARILY

Summer construction projects are about to begin at Maquoketa Caves State Park, forcing the closure of the main road through the park beginning on April 23, 2018.

Signs will be posted to detour traffic around the park and to the local restaurant.

Construction may continue into August 2018.

The roadway reconstruction is part of a June 2018

larger project that includes a renovation and upgrade of the campground electrical service, as well as maintenance of auxiliary park roads.

TROUT THRIVE AGAIN IN TWO NORTHEAST IOWA STREAMS THANKS TO IMPROVEMENTS

After struggling for years to sustain a population on their own, recent sampling shows native brook trout are again thriving in the Yellow River headwaters and Mullen Creek following work on the land to improve water quality.

Once, brook trout thrived in most of northeast Iowa’s clear, spring-fed streams in abundant numbers, but years of erosion and polluted runoff harmed trout habitat. Cloudy with eroded soil and manure runoff, the streams could no longer sustain the native trout.

In 1994, a genetic strain of healthy brook trout – likely there since before European settlement – was found in South Pine Creek in eastern Winneshiek County. To save this fragile native Iowa species, the DNR brought a number of the trout to the Manchester fish hatchery, raising new brookies to live in restored creeks.

Communities have come together on two of those streams, Yellow River and Mullen Creek (a tributary of Silver Creek) through the DNR-funded Yellow River Headwaters Watershed Project, led by the Winneshiek Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Silver Creek Watershed Project, led by the Howard Soil and Water Conservation District.

Teaming with Mike Siepker and Theresa Shay with DNR Fisheries to restock the streams with South Pine brook trout, the watershed projects also worked with landowners in the area to make changes on the land to protect and improve water quality.

“Everything’s worked hand-in-hand,” says Neil Shaffer, Silver Creek Watershed Project coordinator. “We had been working on the watershed for a few years, the water temperature was right and the DNR was

looking for a home for these trout.”

The ability to sustain trout indicates great stream improvement, as they’re an indicator species of northeast Iowa’s streams, demanding the coldest and cleanest waters to prosper. DNR staff consider water temperature, water monitoring results, current fish populations and streambank erosion data before stocking trout in a stream.

Farmers and landowners in the watershed – the area of land that drains into a waterway – use cover crops and grass waterways to prevent erosion and sediment buildup.

“We’ve worked with landowners to build upon keystone practices,” said Corey Meyer, former coordinator for the Yellow River Headwaters project. “This is a great example of landowners working together to improve their watershed.” Avid trout angler Sam Franzen, now coordinating the project, has an eye out for more Yellow River tributaries with the potential to host trout.

The two watershed projects are partially funded by DNR through EPA Section 319 grants, which provide financial assistance for water pollution cleanup. Landowners and the watershed projects have invested almost $6 million throughout the region to restore and clean creeks and rivers.

Since the mid-1990s, work to reintroduce brookies has resulted in four streams with self-sustaining wild populations, while eight streams have inconsistent natural reproduction that requires occasional stocking to keep the population prosperous.

Overall, the number of streams consistently supporting naturally reproducing brown and brook trout have risen from 6 in 1980 to 45 today, thanks in large part to improvements to in-stream habitat and in watersheds.

Recent monitoring shows good growth in size and population after a year in Mullen Creek and the Yellow River headwaters, with plans to stock more native Iowa brook trout in 2018 to help establish the population.

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HARVESTING A MATURE BUCK is quite the accomplishment. It takes the right combination of time, effort, strategy, and just a little bit of luck to pull off the feat.

It’s no secret that some people are rather good at the task, while many people struggle. To kill a mature buck could potentially take years of work. So, how do some people seem to do it year after year? What are they doing that others aren’t?

Read on, and learn how to better your chances of wrapping that tag around a mature whitetail this season.

GROW THE GROCERIES

If you grow it, they will come. It doesn’t matter where or what you hunt, if you want June 2018

to increase the odds of killing a mature animal, you need to have a food source nearby. In Iowa that usually includes a

corn, soybean, or hayfield. However, small plots of turnips, radishes, clover, or other mixes can be deadly (pun intended). We purchased a small farm in Southern Iowa five years ago this Spring. The farm was 85 percent timber, and the rest was small open fields and a pond. The nearest row crop field was over a mile away. We noticed when we first walked the farm, there was very little deer sign, and it didn’t show much potential. The following season, after planting a few acres of food plots, there were nights we would count 20-30 deer in the small plots. Over the years these fields have continued to produce large TheIowaSportsman.com

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THE ART OF KILLING MATURE BUCKS numbers of mature deer. This doesn’t mean disregard other food types. Mast producing trees that create nuts and berries can be a very popular food source among deer.

They will often gather in these areas before heading to open food plots or ag fields to feed. I’ve learned you don’t need the best looking timber in the neighborhood with all of the thick bedding. Not to say that bedding areas don’t help, because they do. Actually a good combination of both bedding and food sources are great at getting mature deer to your property. But if I were to choose one over the other I would opt for good food sources that allow me to get a crack at the buck coming in for a meal.

RECONNAISSANCE

Whether it’s by way of trail camera, walking your property, or watching velvet bucks in the preseason, scouting is crucial to killing mature bucks. Knowing what bucks are on your farm, where they live, and how they travel will put you on the track to success. There is no better way to scout than stepping on your farm and observing deer sign or movement first hand. However, we can’t monitor every acre 24/7/365. Trail cameras are

the next best solution. Having them allows you to monitor certain high traffic areas at all hours. From there, you can analyze the data that you get, and move the cameras accordingly to pinpoint certain bucks. I highly suggest picking quality over quantity when it comes to trail cameras. You don’t have to monitor every acre, but you do want clear images when you capture a buck on camera. Today you can get a quality camera, smaller than a cell phone, for $100-$150. The pictures and information you can receive on a trail camera are an instant return on your investment. I’m a field staff member for Radix, a trail camera manufacturer in southern Iowa, and recommend their products if you are in the market for new trail cameras.

They are new to the industry, but have made a big impact in the last year. Radix produces quality images at several price points.

claims that a whitetail deer has reached 90 percent maturity by age 4 ½ and full maturity by 5 ½. It should be noted that his studies were performed in a healthy deer herd. In some unhealthy herds, bucks may reach physiological maturity quicker.

So, if your goal is to harvest a mature buck, you should settle for nothing less than that. Easier said than done, right?

Judging and holding out for a deer of a certain age are two different things entirely. It can be tough if a 160 inch 3 ½ year old presents a broadside, 20-yard chip shot. There is no shame in killing that deer. However, if you’re setting specific goals, stick to them. There’s nothing more frustrating than being upset with yourself after walking up on a deer that you told yourself you’d let walk. Someone once told me, “Plan your work, and work your plan.” If you can apply that to your hunting strategy, it won’t be long before you’re tagging mature bucks.

GAME PLAN

MINIMIZE MISTAKES

You can stack all the odds in your favor and do everything right, but you can’t kill a mature buck if you kill the first decent 3 ½ year old deer that walks beneath your tree stand. Dr. James Kroll, A.K.A., Dr. Deer,

I know this one seems obvious, but it’s worth being mentioned. You can’t expect to harvest mature bucks if you’re blowing deer out of the woods on the way to your stand, hunting the wrong wind, or putting too much pressure on one area. Sure, we can get lucky every now and then, but the people who are harvesting mature bucks year in and year out don’t rely on luck.

Make sure you’re doing all the little things correctly. Cut entry and exit routes in the summer, hunt the correct winds, be alert in the stand, and when the opportunity arises, let your preseason practice go to work and make your shot count. A misplaced shot on a deer that you put so much time and effort into can be haunting.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This article isn’t a bulletproof system to killing Boone and Crocket deer every year, but it’s a foundation to get started.

Maximize the things listed, and you’ll be off to a great start. Remember, if your goal is deer management, don’t settle for less. Don’t settle for an immature deer on the last day of season because you have one more tag to fill. If you need to fill the freezer, shoot a doe. They taste better anyway. Let the young bucks walk, and watch them turn into giants in years to come. To conclude, find the food sources, scout early and often, stick to your game plan, and minimize mistakes. Once these are perfected, you can move on to more indepth management strategies. Good luck, and happy hunting!

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R & R Sports 3250 Fields Drive Bettendorf, IA 52722 563-243-4696 www.randrsportsinc.com Bluff Creek Archery 117 Washington Ave E Albia, IA 52531 641-932-2422 www.bcarcheryia.com Fin & Feather 125 Hwy 1 W Iowa City, IA 52246 319-354-2200 www.finfeather.com Palo Outdoors 1204 1st Street Palo, IA 52324 319-851-5290 www.palo-outdoors.com Sommerfeld Outfitters 330 N Main St Lidderdale, IA 51452 712-822-5780 www.shopsommerfeld.com The Iowa Outdoors Store 1597 3rd Ave NW Fort Dodge, IA 50501 515-955-HUNT (4868) www.iowaoutdoorsstore.com

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AS WE’RE ALL introduced to the sport of fishing our parents and grandparents would choose a day that was full of sun, a little breeze to keep us from overheating and a small body of water. And the reason is they don’t want to take us out, and quite frankly we don’t want to take our kids out when the weather is less than stellar.

The experience we hope, and I’m sure our parents hoped, should be one that leaves an impression that will last a lifetime. I mean ultimately we want our children and grandchildren to pick up the torch and pass it on down to the next generation.

As we begin the journey in our angling endeavors though we realize that the weather will not always be fair and we’ll end up fishing in less than perfect conditions. Whether its rain, snow, wind, heat or some combination thereof, we notice that the weather has had some effect on the fish. Some days, you can’t keep them off the hook. Go back to the same spot the next day and wow…you can’t buy a bite.

Why is that you ask? Well, like us, fish are affected by weather changes and it changes the mood of the fish. If I wake up one day and I want to head out for a day of chasing bass only to find that the clouds have rolled in and it looks like it might rain, my mood dampens…however, for fish it changes their behavior in somewhat of an opposite way.

We’re going to take a look at how weather is a factor we should all consider when it comes to fishing. And at times heading out on a nice sunny day may not be your best bet.

June 2018

BAROMETRIC PRESSURE

I know that most of you have experienced this…you plan a day of fishing and storms roll in and ruin your day. Forecast for the following day is clear with lots of sunshine. Rolling out early, you arrive at the lake and launch your boat. It’s a beautiful morning and

and blue.

Barometric pressure or the weight of the air decreases as a storm approaches.

It’s called low pressure. And likewise, when the storms pass, in most cases a high pressure will follow. To understand how it works, imagine the palm of a giant hand easing up as it presses on the water’s surface as the low pressure moves in. Its touch is lighter. The water isn’t as compressed as it was, and fish can move more easily through it. The mood of many fish often changes to what we might call a more ‘active’ mood. They move around more freely and feed.

A storm also brings clouds and wave-creating wind, reducing sunlight penetration. Active fish can move to shallower water. The absolute best fishing periods often occur when barometric pressure reaches its lowest point, just

ALWAYS KEEP THE RAIN GEAR IN HAND, DON’T BE AFRAID TO GET A BIT WET AND CHASE AFTER FISH EITHER DURING OR AFTER A DECENT RAIN. you just know that the fish are going to jump in the boat! An hour passes, and then two and you’ve only managed a short strike…” what’s happened to the fish?” you ask yourself. Answer is…a high-pressure system that usually follows storms, especially when skies are clear

before the front arrives.

A high pressure will have the opposite effect. It’ll be an amazing bluebird day as they say, but the fish will be tight-lipped.

When the barometer is high fish will slow down and the bite will follow suit.

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DO THE FISH KNOW ITS RAINING? High

Clear skies

Fish slow down, find cover or go to deeper waters.

Slow down lures and use baits more attractive to fish. Fish in cover and in deeper waters.

Rising

Clearing or improving

Fish tend to become slightly more active

Fish with brighter lures and near cover. Also fish at intermediate and deeper depths.

Normal and stable

Fair

Normal fishing

Experiment with your favorite baits and lures.

Falling

Degrading

Most active fishing

Speed up lures. Surface and shallow running lures may work well.

Slightly lower

Usually cloudy

Many fish will head away from cover and seek shallower waters.

Some fish will become more aggressive.

Use shallow running lures at a moderate speed.

Low

Rainy and stormy

Fish will tend to become less active the longer this period remains.

As the action subsides, try fishing at deeper depths.

throughout the year not just warm summer months. Above are some basic rules of barometric pressure:

RAIN

Well for starters fishing in the rain, if you’re not prepared for it can really dampen your day. Especially on those early outings where you’re likely to encounter cooler temps. However, being prepared for the rain and fishing in it can be a day saving event.

In the summer when the water levels are low or at normal levels, but surface temps are rather high, a nice cool rain that comes in can trigger the fish and suddenly they are more active. A good downpour on a similar day, you know, on one of those dog days of summer fishing days, can really liven up the lake.

Runoff creates turbidity and brings in nutrients to the lake in form of worms, bugs, and other crawling critters. So, the smaller bait fish will start feeding on the sudden influx of food. Predatory fish will follow in search of their afternoon meal and chase after the baitfish as they’re feeding. It can also cool the surface water temp enough to bring some of those fish in closer to shore, increasing your odds from the bank of the lake.

Rain can also bring out those fish that might typically be early evening or night feeders due to the cloud cover. It can also change the thermocline or the area where the amount of dissolved oxygen is the greatest, creating a wider region where fish become more active due to the increased levels of oxygen in the water.

Always keep the rain gear in hand, don’t be afraid to get a bit wet and chase after 34

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fish either during or after a decent rain.

Keep in mind though you are holding a fiberglass or carbon fiber rod that can act as a lightning rod…keep a keen eye out for lightning and take shelter if you can see it.

WIND

Let’s take a closer look at what causes wind. We’re going to throw a bit of science in here so there is a better understanding of the effect that wind has on our fishing. When a difference in atmospheric pressure exists, air moves from the higher to the lower pressure area, resulting in winds of various speeds. On a rotating planet, air will also be deflected by the Coriolis Effect (we’ll take a closer look at this in a minute), except exactly on the equator.

Globally, the two major driving factors of large-scale wind patterns (the atmospheric circulation) are the differential heating between the equator and the poles (difference in absorption of solar energy leading to buoyancy forces) and the rotation of the planet. Near the earth’s surface, friction causes the wind to be slower than it would otherwise be. Surface friction also causes winds to blow more inward into low-pressure areas. Wind on a lake will create current which moves downwind and to the right.

This movement to the right is called the Coriolis Effect.

Many of you reading are now scratching your head wondering…” where is this dude going with this”? I’m glad you asked! The Coriolis effect actually changes the direction of the current below the surface of the water, which in turn will change the orientation of the fish you are To Subscribe CALL 877-424-4594

desperately seeking to carefully place your bait in front of.

As the wind blows, the current at the surface will move in the same direction and confirmed by the waves you see as you fish. Due to the earth’s natural rotation, as current below the surface moves, it begins to bend up to 20 degrees to the right of the wind. Assume then that in most lakes the deflection is slightly right.

We also know that wind will push baitfish towards obstacles; be it a dam, an island or the windward shoreline.

Predatory fish will follow the food source and position themselves facing the subsurface current. As you approach the windward side of a body of water close to shore, that subsurface current may actually be in the opposite direction.

Why? It’s simply a matter of physics; currents that hit shorelines also are deflected clockwise, which affects fish position and location. All of these will play a key factor in where you aim your cast as you look for active and feeding fish.

Say the wind is blowing onto a bar that drops abruptly into 4 feet of water just offshore, then slopes to 10 feet, then plummet to 30. The tip of the 10-foot drop-off is a key area. Most fishermen consider the wind and the wind-generated current washing this bar. And because fish usually face into current, they picture them facing the wind.

Wind blowing into shore produces a right-moving current. Follow the shoreline drop-off to the right until you meet a bar. The inside-turn on the side of the bar that meets the current likely holds active fish. The tip of the point on the current side of the bar also likely holds active fish.

So it’s easy to see how important it is to understand what’s happening below the surface as wind blows across a body of water. How and where you cast or troll when it comes to subsurface current will aid in your success. One great way to learn how the Coriolis effect actually works is to stand on the shoreline on a breezy day and cast a shallow diving crankbait, something that goes to about 5 feet. As you slowly retrieve you’ll notice your crankbait not coming back to you in a straight line. The subsurface current is having an effect on the direction of your retrieve. Another example is fishing on a breezy day with a minnow suspended under a bobber. The wind blows in one direction yet your bobber is moving completely the opposite way; subsurface current carrying the minnow with it. And

June 2018

what do we do…we slowly reach down and grab that fishing pole in anticipation of a wicked strike. And then scratch our heads after reeling in only to find an unharmed and untouched minnow.

Weather does affect the fisherman, fisherlady, fisherkid, every kind of angler. Some do well as the weather

changes and adapt, others will go sit on the porch and wait. In any case, don’t count out the days that don’t appear to be a chamber of commerce day. Take someone new fishing this year, take care of the resources we enjoy here in and Iowa and pass it down to the next generation…Tight Lines All!

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THIS MONTH I have several questions coming from Dennis in southern Iowa.

His questions are “I’ve been following along the Whitetails 365 articles for quite a while now. Thank you for the information. I have several questions I was hoping you could answer. You talk about food plots in the woods, I think you have referred to them as interior plots. You say a hunter should pick the spots not just what is easy like openings but how do you do this? How do you clear away all the stumps so that you can plant without having access to a bunch of big equipment?

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I also have questions about how you set up your tree stands. How high do you hang and why? Do you use hang on stands, ladders stands, blinds, and why?

I have several good spots where I hunt but the trees are mostly smaller shingle oaks, do you have any suggestions for tree stands in smaller trees? When do you hang your stands, I’m afraid to hang mine early for fear of squirrels chewing on them, any suggestions? When do you cut To Subscribe CALL 877-424-4594

your shooting lanes? Thank you for any tips.

Thank you, Dennis, for the questions.

THE MAKINGS OF AN INTERIOR PLOT

I had often wondered what other hunters thought when I made the claim that you should indeed put your interior plots where you want them…not letting the timber dictate where you plant these small transition plots. The point is to plan these plots out so that deer move from bedding--into and through your transition interior plots---then leave them on their way out to bigger plots or agriculture fields. This makes their location more important than any other consideration including what is planted in them. The goal is to dictate or manipulate the deer into moving where you want them to move, making their travels advantageous to you…the hunter.

In this way you can take advantage of entrance routes, exit routes, different wind directions, even a nice tree you would like to hang your stand in. The problem seems to be HOW do you establish these plots and plant them in the timber where there is no natural opening?

Establishing an interior plot in the middle of the woods seems like a task you can only accomplish with huge equipment; but that’s not the case at all.

Now, when I’m planning these plots I’m picking the location at a sky view level first; meaning I’m picking the general location that I want to manipulate deer to travel through. Then, I scout the area on foot picturing in my head where a small plot would work best, how I could access the area, where my stand would get hung, etc. Because I’m picking the spot I can also move the plot to accommodate the timber to make it work…in other words, in every timber setting there are pockets or holes that make putting in a food plot easier than in other spots. In most cases, I’m still required to remove woody brush and to cut down and remove mature trees. I have never, however, removed the stumps. The key really is to cut the woody brush and trees as close to the ground as you can so that you can work around them when you go to plant.

Remember, these plots are small. In many cases, only a few trees will need to be cut and removed to open up enough canopy to make planting a green plot possible.

When creating interior plots you need not remove stumps...just cut them as low to the ground as you can. Using a disc when planting works best.

To plant these plots, I generally only use a disc because a disc won’t hook roots and will ride up and over stumps unlike a drag. This can be hard work and very labor intensive for a hunter with limited equipment, but I’ve been doing this for over 20 years with usually nothing more than a sharp chain on my saw and a well stretched back.

TREE STAND TIPS

The second line of questions is about hanging stands. I think I’ll address all the questions by just describing what process I use when hanging my stands, or maybe a better description would be when planning my sets because they aren’t always tree stands.

I like to plan out and put in all of my sets in late winter or spring before major green up occurs. I do this because late winter after the snow melts is most like fall hunting conditions. And, by doing my work during this time frame I am not disturbing the deer at all close to hunting season. Because of this, I have tried to stay away from strap on type stands because of the risk of having animals chew threw the straps. I have now transitioned to mostly chain on type stands, or ladder stands.

All of my stands are hung somewhere between 15 and 20 feet in height, and all of my ladder stands are in that same height range. In most cases the height has more to do with finding that right spot on the tree where it will be comfortable to sit for long periods of time, or where a branch could provide me with cover, or

ESTABLISHING AN INTERIOR PLOT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WOODS SEEMS LIKE A TASK YOU CAN ONLY ACCOMPLISH WITH HUGE EQUIPMENT; BUT THAT’S NOT THE CASE AT ALL.

June 2018

considering safety getting in and out of the stand. Rarely am I thinking I need to go higher for cover’s sake. 15 to 20 feet high has always seemed to get me above the normal sight line of deer as long as I’m still, quiet, and have cover around me.

In situation where I find there are just no good trees to hang in, I will double down and keep looking. Small trees, like small shingle oaks can still support a stand. In fact, I have already tipped a ladder stand into smaller shingle oaks, brushed them in, and built a great set in a tree most hunters wouldn’t consider.

Ladder stands really excel in this area, where there are small trees, crooked trees, or otherwise trees that won’t support hang on type stands…a ladder stand will usually do the trick. And, I have yet to see evidence that deer can pick out ladder stands any better than hang on or climbing sticks; especially when you hang your sets well before the season starts. In fact, as I get older, I find a comfortable ladder stand preferable to a hang on for comfort, safety, and versatility. In one case, on a farm I hunted years ago, I actually installed a 12-foot tripod stand in an area where only very small trees and brush existed. The spot was far too awesome to not hunt there, ground blinds were impossible to see out of, and hang on or ladder stands were impossible. The 12-foot tripod stand that I brushed in did just the trick!

If all else fails, or in instances where I am hunting an area with literally no trees, a well-placed pop up or other ground blind will certainly do the trick. An enclosed ground blind certainly has its benefits during late season or during nasty weather. In fact, all of my late season hunting is planned for using ground blinds that are either partially or fully enclosed.

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WHITETAILS 365

A ladder stand tipped into even a small tree works very well...a little brushing in and you have a great stand.

In terms of stand safety, I am now transitioning to the full tree length safety rope and prusik knot system. I think it’s a great idea to be attached the whole time you are elevated. This requires additional work because these systems have to be installed and then taken down each season so that they don’t get compromised by animals or weather. My system for using these fall systems is to carefully go to

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each elevated stand about September 1st of each year and inspect the stands. Then, I install both the full fall restraint system and an additional 10,000 lb. strap around each stand…even stands that are chain on.

This extra heavy strap not only makes the stand safer, but it keeps it from shifting or making noise. The addition of the safety system and heavy strap make it safer to hunt out of elevated stands. I have had

screw in steps grow into trees too and have even seen some snap, so I am also transitioning away from screw in steps and eliminating them altogether.

Rarely will I cut shooting lanes close to or during the season. I cut all my shooting lanes during late winter and I make them wide enough in anticipation of vegetation growing back in. I always carry a very small folding saw and bypass shears in my pack to quietly tweak away limbs and leaves on my first time in during the hunting season. On trees that are small, don’t offer good cover, or where the hunter could be sky-lined (something you should avoid to begin with) I’ll also brush the stands in during late winter while I’m cutting in my shooing lanes or maintaining the lanes I’ve already made.

I’m glad Dennis wrote in with questions about small interior plots and tree stand placement and maintenance.

I spend a lot of time on these two issues each season making sure I get things right while paying attention to detail.

Make sure to send in any questions or ideas for an article you would like written for the Whitetails 365 column to tapeppy@gmail.com. Thank you.

To Subscribe CALL 877-424-4594

June 2018

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June 2018

June 2018

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LET’S FACE IT, technology is everywhere these days. From smartphones to smart TVs to depth finders, technology is advancing at break neck speed and not slowing down any time soon.

So the question for you as a catfish angler is, why should you use advanced electronics for your catfishing? The real questions is, why shouldn’t you?

Advanced technology has become extremely affordable over the past five years. Technology that was once over $2,000 now starts at around $500 and if you work the used markets it can be June 2018

even cheaper.

ELECTRONICS FOR THE SHORE ANGLERS

Even shore anglers have not been left behind as electronics have progressed.

There are many options on the market for shore anglers that have a transducer that connects directly to a line and can

be cast out. They use WIFI to connect back to an app on your smart phone. You will get back information such as water temperature, depth and can even mark fish.

A few years back I had a guiding client who was a shore angler except the day he fished with me bring one of these units to show me. He hooked it to a rod and floated it next to the boat to demonstrate.

He then pulled out an Ipad to use for the screen. He also showed me a notebook he had with hand drawn maps. What he does is finds his shore spot on the river, casts out as far as he can and lets the TheIowaSportsman.com

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CATFISH TECH

transducer float with the current marking the depths in the notebook as it floats by.

He shortens each cast as he goes and after a few casts he has a detailed map drawn into the notebook for future needs.

Taking this to a new level might be printing out the Google Map of the area you are mapping and make your depth notes right on the photo so you now know the layout from above and below the surface.

ADVANCED MAPPING

Mapping has come a long way, especially over the past 15 years. Most of us who started fishing more than ten years ago were limited to paper maps if any maps at all. Most smaller rivers (like the Red) were left with nothing but the memory of what you had seen on the depth finder over the years.

When Lakemaster started putting out detailed maps of northern lakes it was like the skies opened up for anglers to be more effective. Now fish had nowhere to hide but us river guys still had nothing and the expense to making a map chip for an ever changing river was just not worth the investment. That is until 2014 when Humminbird introduced Auto Chart Live.

This software that is now available in all new units makes us able to map any water we want in detail.

I have spent literally days mapping the Red River and having that map has become a huge advantage to me. This mapping has allowed me to fine tune my existing spots and find dozens of new spots that I had been driving by for years. The best part of this technology is it is available to anyone now and very easy to use.

SIDE IMAGING

There is not a bigger advancement in

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catfishing electronics than side imaging.

Side imaging can be used for any species of fish but for catfishing it is amazing. As catfish anglers, we are always looking at structure such as snag piles and other debris that may be a hiding spot for a big catfish.

Humminbird introduced us to side imaging in 2007 and over the last 11 years has made steady advancements to the technology. In 2017 they hit a real home run with the introduction of MEGA imaging. By ramping up the power and using chirp technology you now get clearer pictures than you ever have with a side imager.

I jumped on the opportunity to get MEGA right when it came out. I quickly found out that things I thought were rocks and humps in the river were tires. I was able to identify what I always thought was an ice shack on the bottom of the river was actually a single stall garage. (We think it got there in the 1997 flood.) The greatest thing about MEGA is fish just glow when you find them. I have even gotten good enough with it that I can determine catfish from carp and avoid wasting time fishing for fish that won’t bite my cut bait.

TROLLING MOTORS

Another huge advancement in technology for catfishing is in trolling motors. It has been no secret in southern lakes and big rivers that drifting and trolling is a huge advantage. Companies such as Minn Kota have added features to their trolling motors that make them a must even in areas where anchoring is king.

Spot Lock is an anchoring system that holds your boat on a specific GPS coordinate. This has been huge for walleye anglers for years but now it is good enough that catfish anglers can hold To Subscribe CALL 877-424-4594

still enough to tight line the bottom. The beauty of spot lock is when the fish are on a fairly quick bite, instead of dropping an anchor at each stop you deploy your trolling motor and spot lock. Fish your spot for a short time then simply pull your lines and troll to the next spot to start again. This makes you extremely efficient in your time management.

In fishing today, catfishing in particular electronics can make us much more efficient and better anglers. No matter what level of angler you are or what information you desire there is a level of electronics that can assist you in catching more fish. Just remember, the best electronics in the world are not near as effective as they can be if you understand the fish you are targeting and fish where the fish are.

June 2018

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2018 IOWA 3-D ARCHERY TRAIL

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Club Name/Destination

Contact Information

1

Allamakee Co. Sportsman Waukon, IA

563-568-1107

2

Ames Izaak Walton Ames, IA

515-298-0750

3

Anamosa Bowhunters Anamosa, IA

319-721-6297

4

Black Hawk Archers La Porte City, IA

319-415-2964

5

Border Brigade Archery Webster City, IA

http://bbaclubwix.com/borderbrigade

6

Buck Ridge Bowhunters Fostoria, IA

712-330-4042

7

Clayton County Archers Elkader, IA

www.claytoncountyarchers.net

8

Davenport Valley Archers Long Grove, IA

www.davenportvalleyarchers.com

9

Davis Co. Izaak Walton Bloomfield, IA

641-226-0129

10

Double C Archery Charles City, IA

319-290-0698

11

Dubuque Field Archers Dubuque, IA

www.dubuquefieldarchers.com

12

Echo Valley Archers West Union, IA

www.echovalleyarchers.blogspot.com

13

Emmet Co. Izaak Walton Estherville, IA

712-320-4599

14

Flint Rivers Bowhunters Mediapolis, IA

www.flintriverbowhuntersclub.com

15

Golden Arrow Archery Omaha, NE

www.archeryclub.com

16

Hickory Ridge Pella, IA

www.hickoryridge3d.com

17

Humboldt Archery Club Humboldt, IA

515-368-4032

18

Iowa County Archers Millersburg, IA

319-430-7632

19

Johnson County Archers North Liberty, IA

www.johnsoncountyarchers.com

20

Little River Archers Leon, IA

641-344-3055

21

Mid Iowa Archers Indianola, IA

www.midiowaarchers.com

22

Mohawk Archery Mason City, IA

www.mohawkarchery.org

23

Osage Conservation Club Osage, IA

641-220-6025 Outdoor Range

24

Pine Lake Archers Eldora, IA

641-858-5886

25

Pottawattamie Bowhunters Honey Creek, IA

www.pbhc.net

26

Poweshiek Co. Sportsman Montezuma, IA

641-260-1400

27

Riceville Archers Club Riceville, IA

641-257-9488

28

South Central Bowhunters of IA Lucas, IA

www.scbi3d.com

29

Stateline Archery Kieler, WI

30

Tri-County Sportsmen Club Holy Cross, IA

563-258-2715

31

Waltonian Archers Toddville, IA

www.waltonianarchers.net

32

Wapello Chiefs Bowmen Ottumwa, IA

www.wapellochiefsbowmen.com

33

Wapsie Bowhunters Independence, IA

www.wapsiebowhunters.com

34

Waverly Archery Club Waverly, IA

641-857-6664

35

Washington Co. Archers Washington, IA

319-653-7302

36

Webster Co. Bowhunters Fort Dodge, IA

https://www.facebook.com/ WebsterCountyBowhunters

37

Wild Rivers Archery Denison, IA

712-269-6764

June 2018

Events & Dates 6/3 TBD TBD 6/2-3, 7/28-29, 9/8-9

7/28-29, 9/8-9 6/17, 8/19, 9/16 5/19-20, 6/17, 7/15, 8/11-12, 9/16 TBD 6/10, 8/26 5/19-20, 6/30, 7/1, 7/4, 8/25-26 August 17-19 Rinehart 100 TBD 6/10, 7/8, 8/5, 9/16 5/4-6, 5/19-20, 6/16-17, 7/14-15 6/16-17, 7/21-22, 8/19 6/16-17, 7/28-29, 9/8-9 5/27-28 6/9-10, 7/14-15, 8/25-26, 9/23 5/12-13, 6/9-10, 7/14-15, 8/11-12, 9/8-9 6/23-24, 7/28-29, 8/25-26 5/20, 6/24, 7/22, 8/12, 9/8-9 7/10, 7/15, 8/19 7/8, 8/3-5 8/19, 9/9 5/19-20, 6/9-10, 7/7-8, 8/11-12 7/8, 9/2 TBD

7/28-29 5/19-20, 7/21-22, 8/11-12, 9/15-16, 12/8 6/2-3, 6/30-7/1, 7/28-29, 8/25-26 TBD 5/5-6, 6/9-10, 9/15-16

TBD 6/17, 8/12, 9/16

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Palo Outdoors

1204 1st Street Palo, IA 52324 319-851-5290 www.palo-outdoors.com

R & R Sports

3250 Fields Drive Bettendorf, IA 52722 563-243-4696 www.randrsportsinc.com

Southern Archery 325 11th St SW Spencer, IA 51301 712-262-7213

Fin & Feather

125 Hwy 1 W Iowa City, IA 52246 319-354-2200 www.finfeather.com

Sommerfeld Outfitters 330 N Main St Lidderdale, IA 51452 712-822-5780 www.shopsommerfeld.com

The Iowa Outdoors Store 1597 3rd Ave NW Fort Dodge, IA 50501 515-955-HUNT (4868) www.iowaoutdoorstore.com

48

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TROPHY ROOM

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS!

TROPHYROOM BRADY RISH

ALAN KRIEGERMEIER

Want to share a photo of your recent harvest or catch?

Submit your hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor photos to The Iowa Sportsman Trophy Room and you could be in an upcoming issue!

To Submit: E-mail a high-resolution photo along with your name and where you are from to: patrick@twinriversmedia.com or directly mail them to: The Iowa Sportsman, Attn:Trophy Room, 1597 3rd Ave NW, Fort Dodge, IA 50501.

ASHLEY & LAINEY S HELANGOSKI Show

Off Your TROPHY!

AARON LINDHOLM AIDEN RIGGERT

TO SUBMIT, SEND TO: PATRICK@TWINRIVERSMEDIA.COM * Photos are placed in the order they are received

June 2018

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49

THE BEST smell in the entire world? I know that is an argumentative question, but I would have to put the smell of an open campfire up towards the top. There is something special about that scent. It is almost like once it hits your nose it draws you in and makes you want to come closer and closer. If the scent of the camp fire wasn’t enough once you sit down the flames draw the attention of our eyes and soon we are staring aimlessly into its magical powers.

It won’t be long now folks and we get to experience the bliss of another Iowa camping season. I know we talk a lot about hunting and fishing in the magazine, but we thought it was time to do something that a lot of us probably cut our teeth on in our younger days. For a lot of us it is a tradition we still carry on today. That is correct, camping season is right around the corner!

To get the season started we thought it would be fun to share with our readers some simple “hacks” that anyone can do.

Camping is about getting away from it all, yes even if you have a camper the size of a house you are still roughing it…a bit.

Camping is also about being creative and showing a little ingenuity. We did some research for our readers and found some great tips, tricks, and hacks that you can do this season that can make your camping adventures less stressful, more efficient, safer, and more fun.

• Use an empty laundry detergent dispenser as a hand washing station – even though you are roughing it you still need to wash your hands. Rinse out an old nozzle style laundry detergent bottle. Then fill it June 2018

up with water and set it on the picnic table.

Place a catch bucket below it and you have a ready-made hand washing station.

• Pack a mini first-aid kit into an old prescription bottle or Altoids tin. – Cuts, scrapes, slivers, and bruises are common around the campsite. Having a simple first aid kit in your pocket can help with relief when needed. Pack a few small items that can help with minor injuries.

• Doritos, hand sanitizer, lint for

natural mosquito deterrent.

• Scavenger hunt – kids and adults can get bored sitting around a campfire.

Add some fun and adventure into the mix and plan a scavenger hunt party. Give away prizes for the winners to add some competition to the mix.

• Cold feet? Fill up a hot bottle of water and put it in your sleeping bag – nothing is worse than a night of cold feet.

This is a good hack to start off on the right “foot”.

• Deodorant for bug bites – if you are out of bug bite ointment a brush of deodorant on the bite will take away that annoying itch, as well as improve your scent.

• Bread bag tags make great clothes pins – those pesky little things actually have a secondary use at a campsite and make great hangers for light weight objects you need to hang.

DON’T TAKE THE ENTIRE MEDICINE CABINET – ORGANIZE YOUR MEDICINE INTO A SPACE SAVING CONTAINER. ONLY PACK WHAT YOU NEED INTO SMALLER CONTAINERS (UNLESS PRESCRIBED) AND LABEL ACCORDINGLY. kindling – when sticks and twigs are not readily available a number of other things work as fire starters. Doritos, the new food of life!

• Sage to campfire keeps mosquitos away – while not widely available here in Iowa this plant when burned will emit a

• Bust a grommet on a tarp? We have all been there, an inferiorly built tarp grommet breaks making it useless to use as intended. Problem solved when you wrap a rock into the corner and attach your strap around the rock.

• Wax your tent zipper – most zippers TheIowaSportsman.com

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CAMPING HACKS EVERYONE CAN DO! have a short life span or so it seems. To improve the quality and life of your zipper apply wax to it when needed.

• Pool noodles for tent stake lines – how many times have you seen someone run into stakes around the campsite? It is a common occurrence so take some annoyance out of the problem by placing cut off pool noodles around them. The brightness of the noodles will make people aware of their location.

• Pack Your Cooler Smartly – coolers are essential to camping and keep things safe and cold from the outside environment.

The problem is you only have so much space. Make sure and have an organized cooler. This will allow you to pack as much as possible while keeping everything chilled.

• Keep ants off of picnic table with trays filled with water under legs – ingenious! One of those things that you think “why didn’t I think of that before.” It may look silly, but there is nothing funny about ants all over your picnic table.

• Tinfoil meals – quick, easy, versatile, and yummy. Nothing says camping better than a mixture of food wrapped in tinfoil and place over an open fire. Plus the cleanup is quick!

• Foam floor tiles – these things are normally seen in kids’ playrooms, but they make a great base layer for campsites. Put them in your tent for added comfort or place them outside to keep your feet off the dirt.

• Carpet remnants – these things are a great addition to campsites as well. They add some area around the campsite to get off of the dirt.

• Head lamp into a jug of water makes a lantern – if you are the type of person that likes to get creative this one is for you.

A simple head lamp duct taped onto a jug of water gives you an instant lantern.

• Natural tick deterrent 1 part tea tree oil 2 parts water – We have yet to meet anyone that likes ticks. The shear thought of them gives people the creepy crawlies.

Make your own deterrent with some tea tree oil and water!

• Put matches into a waterproof container and glue sandpaper on top. – 52

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matches and moisture don’t mix, nor do the containers they come in. To keep matches useful put them into a plastic waterproof container and then put a strike on top by gluing a piece of sandpaper to the top of the container.

• Pre-make coffee balls – place single servings of coffee into a coffee filter and tie off at the top and you have instant single serve coffee.

• Single use soap – shave off shards of soap from a full bar and you have a piece of soap good for one shower, instead of carrying a full bar back and forth each time.

• Use an old coffee jar and put TP in it to keep it from getting wet or damp – Cut a slot in the side of the jar, run the TP end through the slot, put the lid on and you will have dry toilet paper at all times.

• Pre-scramble eggs and put them into a used water bottle – transporting eggs is risky business with their fragility. Instead, scramble the eggs ahead of time and pour the mixture into a plastic bottle. If you need a certain amount of eggs make sure and mark the bottle every time you add another egg.

• Hanging shoe organizers make great campsite kitchen organizers – everything you need hanging in one spot. Makes kitchen duty much easier.

• Know your basic knots – specific duties sometimes call for specific knots.

Make sure you are efficient in the basic knots.

• Lint roller after being in the woods for tick removal – The ticks like anything will stick to the lint roller and remove them from your clothing, giving you a sense of comfort.

• Don’t take the entire medicine cabinet – organize your medicine into a space saving container. Only pack what you need into smaller containers (unless prescribed) and label accordingly.

• Duct tape around a water bottle – Duct tape is the savior of all things and you never know when you might need it.

If you are out on a hike, instead of packing a whole roll, wrap tape around your water bottle several times.

• Fresh smell for water bottles and coolers – Mix 3 teaspoons baking soda and To Subscribe CALL 877-424-4594

some water, scrub a little and let dry. You have a fresh smelling bottle and/or cooler.

Use more mixture for larger containers.

• Knife holders– Cut some PVC pipe down to the size of your knives, put some cork in the bottom, mark the end where the point goes, label what knife goes in each, and you have great knife holders.

• Wire of different gauge – while not a necessity it is always nice having wire handy. Pack several different pieces of gauge so you have the right wire for the job.

• Kitty litter toilet bucket – Hey, when nature calls for you tent campers it is nice to have a spot to go in a pinch. The kitty litter will make clean up easier. No one said camping has to be glamorous.

• Extra tarps – there is never such a thing as too many tarps. They have dozens of uses from a wind block to keeping things dry and everything in between.

• Solar lights – put a few around the campsite and you give instant light to your area.

• Egg carton coal fire starter – place charcoal into an egg carton and you have a ready-made fire starting kit.

• Ratchet straps for everything – they are worth their weight in gold!

June 2018

• Plan your meals in advance for the entire trip – make the days easier for yourself. Have a pre-set meal plan ready to go.

• Roll your clothes – stack your daily outfits on top of each other and roll them. It is a great way to stay organized and save packing space.

• Red light for headlamp – give your camping friends a break, don’t blind them by wearing a traditional yellow light, and switch to a red bulb.

• Packing list – never go camping without checking off the items you need. The moment you forget something is when you will need it.

• Dryer sheets to improve odors and keep bugs away – Dryer sheets are a great way to keep living quarters odors at bay, not to mention bugs tend not to like them.

• Label everything – label every piece of luggage you take with you. It will save you a bunch of time

searching.

• Collapsible buckets these things are great and do not take up near the amount of space as traditional buckets do.

• Make holders for playing cards – make a wind proof card holder. Grab a piece of 4x4 about a foot long and cut a ¼ inch notch into it. Place the cards into the notch and they are safe from the wind. You can also use a shallow container with some weight to place your cards into when you play them. This will keep them away from the wind as well.

• Let the kids get dirty – it’s camping, not glamping (glamorous camping), let kids be kids. You can give them a shower at night.

• Stainless steel mugs – by now we probably all have one.

They have no better use than a camping trip. They keep hot, hot and cold, cold for hours on end.

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SPRING IN IOWA is full of temptations; morel mushrooms, turkeys, walleyes, and my favorite, the smallmouth bass. Spring is a sportsman paradise here in Iowa, each day of the week you could enjoy something different in the outdoors. It is truly a magical time, and even more magical if you can find some river smallies to put a bend in your rod!

Typically May is the month of the year when we will see a dramatic increase in water temperature. This gets every species of fish in the mood to feed up, especially smallmouth bass.

Smallies will also have spawning on their minds as well, making them more likely to strike baits that are moving quickly. There are a few key locations in our rivers where these smallies will be feeding. A top location this time of year is secondary current. On the big rivers this is pretty easy to find, however not all are productive. Smallmouth can be very picky to how much current they want, and of course how much bait is available for their liking. Experimentation and moving quickly if you don’t get bites is June 2018

key to any smallmouth adventure. You can find secondary currents in areas just off the main channel where the current is directed into backwater sloughs. This creates a secondary current that flows through these sloughs and gives the smallies ambush points to feed up on shad, minnows, and crawdads. If rock, log jams, and other underwater structure are present, your odds of catching smallies will increase.

Another key area is finding sandbars with bait. These can be found on the big river and all interior rivers as well. Smallmouth bass will hang around sandbars due to the current located around them and the abundance of bait; minnows and shad like the current for

their never-ending food source and the smallmouth follow. Finding the correct sandbar and current could lead you to your best smallmouth fishing ever. Light current with food is a paradise for spring smallies!

The next key area is really an interior river location that is hard to beat day in and day out. It may not hold the numbers of smallies that a minnow filled sandbar might, but the action is pretty consistent. Deep channel banks where the river current has carved out deeper holes over the years is a go-to anytime of the year. This allows the smallmouth to stay in deeper water or come up shallow to those sandbars, which are most likely just across to the other riverbank. These deep holes will hold food under any circumstance of weather or current.

Most of these channel swings will be littered with fallen trees, just another top spot for these smallies to hide and ambush prey swinging down river. When fishing deeper water on the interior rivers pay close attention to your weight size.

This depicts how fast or slow your bait TheIowaSportsman.com

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KEY IN ON SPRING SMALLIES

retrieve to hit different depths as well, these small changes can determine a bad day of fishing, or a great day of fishing. It is critical when fishing any current in any river to fish “up current” and let the bait naturally go with the river current. This is how fish set up to eat, and will look the most natural to them.

Any fishing article in the spring months typically ends up talking about weather... yes, like any species the smallmouth

is moving through the current, and of course how high or low the bait is moving. Don’t just try one size of jig head, try numerous before moving on when fishing these deeper holes. If you are fishing with crankbaits or another faster moving bait, change up your 56

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bass is dependent on the weather patterns. Cold fronts will often whip into Iowa during the spring, so playing the weather patterns will definitely increase your chances into hooking up with a great day of smallmouth fishing. If you have limited time and can only get out on the weekends, you must make adjustments to find those smallies. First, making a shift away from heavy current will be key.

During cold fronts fish will not feed up as usual and will slide away from current areas to feed. A smaller presentation will help you get bites during cold fronts as well. Small crankbaits, 3-inch tubes or twister tails can really trick them during cold times of the month. Fish always eat, but when the weather turns cold we have to make “small” adjustments to entice them into biting.

Spring is a fabulous time to fish for river smallmouth, watch the water levels of the areas you fish as rising water will push smallies away from high current this time of year and falling river levels will get the smallmouth right in the heaviest current available. Typically where there is current, their is food, and smallies love to eat!

Enjoy your springtime fishing, and if you haven’t tried for smallmouth bass lately, you should put it on the top of your to-do list. Enjoy and please practice CPR, Catch, Photograph, and Release.

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I RECENTLY READ an article about one of my favorite hockey players, Mark Schiefele. The article talks about his upbringing in the sport of hockey and how even as a now established professional in the NHL he is always trying to learn more about the game and how to make himself better and more competitive.

If you are not into hockey, how about football? NFL quarterbacks, at least the good ones, are often considered true students of the game. They always talk about when they experience or fail at something on the field they go back and study it to correct the problem or improve to make themself a better player.

This desire to learn and be better is a trait that can help us all in anything we do, even fishing. I have been preaching for years that we must learn and do our homework to be better anglers. In every seminar I give I discuss understanding and being better mentally will help you see more success on the water with time on the water being the best teacher. Time on the water for a serious angler, especially the tournament angler as practice. Even the famous Kevin Van Dam of BASS fame does not say pre-fishing before a tournament but “practice”.

As catfishing has exploded over the past decade and more tournaments pop up every year I have been critical of many new anglers who are looking for that next great product or easy cure all tip on the web to be competitive. I contend that to be better there has to be practice time to hone the skills and develop the ability to react on a fundamental level to changes.

It is true that you learn a lot in tournaments (God knows I did) but to truly learn the craft and master the art you have to just fish without the pressure of deadlines and payouts June 2018

looming over you. You have to allow the time to experience the failures, learn from the mistakes and enjoy the success. Extra time spent learning about the bait, the seasons, and the patterns as well as taking good notes will make you a better angler.

While being critical of the catfish industry, I also see a lot of new people coming into the catfish world who are quickly swept up in the sponsor and jersey game, putting more pressure on themselves to fish more tournaments and be seen with the jersey for photos to make social media. Going back to the NHL, Schiefele had to endure years of practice and minor leagues. He had to study to become a professional, all we see are the games and not the hard work that goes into the final product. First comes the becoming an expert, then the “pro” status.

In my own way I am a student of catfishing. I have told the story many times about how I thought I was a good catfish angler when I became a guide. It took one hard smack down from Mother Nature to tell me I didn’t know anything about catfishing. I was a one trick pony so to speak. I took it upon myself to learn as much as I could about rivers and about catfish. Once I started finding answers I also had more questions.

Here I am 10 years later, still trying to refine my skills as an angler, trying to get better at putting fish in the boat for my

guests. I still have my bad days but one thing my catch records have shown over the past eight seasons is that I have become much more consistent in number and average size.

I can confidently give my guests what an average day should look like.

I have also become fairly good at understanding seasonal patterns and how the patterns change with weather fronts and environmental changes that happen.

This ability to adjust on the fly is where the consistency comes into play. I am no longer that one trick pony but have established the fundamental ability to identify changes in conditions or patterns and make adjustments as needed.

How have I done this in my fishing?

First, I spend a lot of time on the water.

Second, I have good records dating back 11 years now to refer to. Third, I have a solid method to gain information. This is all due to practice.

Catfishing is important to all of us and society tells us that everything must happen NOW. We must fish all the tournaments NOW and be the pro NOW. Think back for a moment to all the greats in sports, it did not come over night but yet with much study, practice and determination.

Lastly, this is fishing and it is supposed to be fun. Don’t make something that is fun into work until you are ready. Fishing, learning and honing your skills should be fun. Being in the occasional tournament to test those skills should also be fun.

Don’t forget to have the fun and enjoy the moments of success, failure and just being there at the time. The rest will fall into place with time.

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GUNDOG CORNER

ALLERGY SEASON IS HERE! By: Ryan Eder – President, Southfork Retrievers, Avery Outdoors

With Old Man Winter finally releasing us from a brutal first part of spring, warmer temps are here.

Along with those warmer temps comes allergy season. Many of us suffer when pollen counts increase and have to endure itchy eyes, runny noses, and scratchy throats. It is a very annoying time for us humans. Believe it or not, our canine friends are not immune to allergies as well. Allergies to grass, pollen, mold, fleas, and other environmental particles are very common in canines and can be just as debilitating to dogs as they are to humans‌if not worse because a lot of times owners simply avoid the warning signs of allergies and leave them untreated.

Dogs tend to exhibit symptoms in many different ways, from obsessively licking their paws to scratching and rubbing their faces on the floor (all night long). Generalized itchiness and red skin are the most common complaints noticed by owners. Repeated ear and or skin infections can be an indication of underlying allergies. Unfortunately, many dogs develop multiple allergies and become hypersensitive to almost everything; this is when the diagnosis changes from allergies to atopy or atopic dermatitis.

There are several strategies used to deal with redness and itching, some of which include diet, oral, and topical medications, shampoos, supplements and allergy testing.

Allergy testing leads to the creation of a desensitization serum, which is administered to the patient over the course of several months. Usually a combination of therapies is used to treat the problem.

Antihistamines are often the first line of therapy attempted. Most people are familiar with many of these drugs as they are the

June 2018

same kind humans take too‌with Benadryl being a common choice. This type of drug has relatively few side effects and is, for the most part, inexpensive. For mild itching they can be a great help and are often used with other treatments. Unfortunately for many dogs, this is not enough.

The next step is the use of topical or oral steroids. These are very effective in making the dog more comfortable but must be used correctly to minimize effects.

The use of steroids, such as prednisone, can lead to serious health problems if used long term or incorrectly. There are several medications out there that may be an option. As always it is best to discuss a course of action with your vet.

Another option is Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. They relieve inflammation of the skin, there are many commercially available supplements containing these essential fatty acids. Many pet foods contain increased levels to help with coat and skin health. There are several prescription diets that are useful with very

high levels of fatty acids as well. These diets not only provide fatty acids to the patient, but also are used when an allergy to food is suspected. About 1 in 10 allergy dogs has a food allergy. Even animals without a primary food allergy can benefit from a hypoallergenic diet.

Many affected dogs also have secondary bacterial or yeast infections of the skin and ears. These need to be addressed with the appropriate antibiotic and/or antifungal medicine before improvement occurs.

Allergies in dogs can be very frustrating to deal with. Often a multi-pronged approach is needed to improve the health of the skin and a great deal of commitment by the owner is needed. Many dogs with allergies require life-long management of their symptoms. If your dog has signs of allergies, discuss it with your vet before starting any treatment or supplementation.

He or she will explain the pros and cons of the medications and set up the best treatment plan for your dog.

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DOG BREEDERS

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IOWA SPORTSMAN COOKBOOK

CAMPFIRE MEALS GRILLED PIZZA BREAD INGREDIENTS

• 1 large loaf, halved • 1 15-oz. jar pizza sauce • 3 c. shredded mozzarella

• 1/3 c. pepperoni • 1/4 c. black olives • 1/2 red onion, cut into thin half moons

• 1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped • Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes • Add or subtract toppings to your liking.

DIRECTIONS • Scoop out the middles from both bread halves to create shallow boats. Spread pizza sauce onto each half then top with mozzarella, pepperoni, black olives, red onion, green bell pepper, and red pepper flakes.

• Wrap bread loosely with aluminum foil and place over campfire (or on a hot grill) and cook until the cheese is melty and the crust is toasted, 10 to 15 minutes.

• Let cool for about 10 minutes until slicing. Serve warm.

ROLO STUFFED BANANAS INGREDIENTS

• 4 bananas, peeled • 1 c. Chopped Rolos • 1 c. mini marshmallows

• 1/4 c. crushed graham crackers • Caramel, for drizzling

DIRECTIONS • Make a crosswise slit in each banana, then stuff with Rolos and marshmallows.

• Wrap bananas in foil then place over a campfire (or on a hot grill) and cook until the candy and marshmallows are melty and the bananas start to caramelize, 10 to 15 minutes.

• Remove from heat and carefully unwrap foil. Sprinkle with crushed graham crackers and drizzle with caramel. Serve warm.

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HAM AND CHEESE BREAKFAST PACK INGREDIENTS

• 6 large eggs • 1/2 c. milk • Kosher salt • Freshly ground black pepper

• 1 lb. refrigerated hash browns (thawed if frozen) • 1 c. chopped ham • 2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese • Butter, for foil

INSTRUCTIONS • In a large resealable plastic bag, crack eggs, add milk, and season with salt and pepper. Stir in hash browns, ham, and cheese.

• Butter four squares of aluminum foil and divide mixture among foil. Fold tightly and seal.

• Place packets over campfire or grill and cook until eggs are cooked and hash browns tender and crispy, about 10 minutes.

CAMPFIRE MONKEY BREAD INGREDIENTS

• 1 can buttermilk biscuit dough (keep cold) • 1/2 cup cinnamon sugar mix.

(A little bit of cinnamon goes along ways)

• 1/2 cup brown sugar • 1 stick salted butter

DIRECTIONS • Pack all of your ingredients pre-measured. It will make life easier. Line an old cake pan with heavy duty aluminum foil. Use a little of the butter to grease the foil as well.

• Open the biscuits and cut each one into quarters.

• Pour cinnamon mixture into a plastic bag and add biscuits a few at a time. Shake to coat, then add the coated biscuit bits into your pan. Repeat until all the biscuits are in the pan.

• Melt the butter over the fire and stir in the brown sugar. No need to dissolve or cook, just melt the butter and add the sugar.

• Pour butter and sugar mix over the biscuits.

• Wrap pan thoroughly in foil to make sure everything is sealed in tight.

• Bake in dying coals (350°-375°) for 5-10 minutes or until puffed up and center is cooked through. Be careful to avoid direct heat on the bottom, as it might scorch • Remove from the heat and let cool enough to pull apart and enjoy!

WE WANT YOUR RECIPES!

We want to see what our readers are cooking up, more importantly we want to taste what you are cooking. Please send us some of your most tastiest wild game recipes and we will publish them in the Iowa Cookbook Section. You can send recipes to info@twinriversmedia.com or mail them to The Iowa Sportsman, 1517 3rd Ave NW, Fort Dodge, IA 50501.

June 2018

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FISHING IOWA

FISH WHERE THEY ARE FOR MORE FISHING SUCCESS

By Bob Jensen

In many parts of the Midwest, we’re in that “in-between” time of the year. This “in-between” time happens twice a year: As the ice is melting in the spring, and as it’s forming in the fall. During both times, it’s hard to go fishing.

There isn’t enough ice to support our weight to walk on it, and there’s too much ice to put a boat in the water. At these times, I think either about the upcoming ice-fishing season, or, right now, I’m thinking about the upcoming open-water fishing season. I think about different bodies of water to try, different tactics, new lures, whatever: I’m thinking about how I can catch more fish this year, and one constant always remains: To catch fish, you’ve got to be fishing where the fish are. Following are some ideas about fishing where the fish are for the duration of the open-water fishing season.

Fish are interesting creatures. They do two things their entire life: They eat and they reproduce. Depending on whether they’re in the eating mode or the reproducing mode determine where they will be in a body of water.

Right now in the Midwest, most fish are in some phase of the reproduction period, or spawning period. In other parts of the world they could be done spawning, or they might still have a layer of ice over them and haven’t even thought about spawning. For now though, in the Midwest, most fish are either getting ready to spawn, they are actually spawning, or they’ve recently finished with this ritual.

Most spawning for most fish takes place fairly close to shore or in shallow water. For that reason, we’ll want to concentrate our efforts close to shore or in shallow water: That’s where the fish 66

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are.

After the spawn, the fish take a few days to recover. Then they go on a feeding binge. They’ll be wherever the food is, and they’ll continue to follow the food the rest of the year. After the spawn, all fish do is eat. If what they’re eating moves, the predator fish will follow close behind.

Fish don’t always do what we think they should do. In many areas, walleyes are thought to be a bottom-hugging fish, and, in many areas they are. If the food they’re eating is near the bottom, the walleyes will be near the bottom.

But in a good number of waters, more than you might think, walleyes eat baitfish that suspend. These baitfish might be fifteen feet above the bottom.

When the walleyes want to eat, they have to move to where the baitfish are.

Some lakes have bug hatches, and a

variety of fish eat these bugs. The bugs hatch on the bottom of the lake and drift toward the surface. As the bugs move up, so do the fish that are eating them.

If you want to catch these fish, you need to keep your bait at the depth where the fish are.

Because the fish are changing their location, a successful angler needs to change lure presentation also. If the fish are off the bottom, you’ll want to select a lure that runs off the bottom. A jig crawled along the bottom is great if the fish are on the bottom, but it isn’t much good crawled along the bottom if the fish are fifteen feet up.

If you want to catch more fish during this open-water fishing season, you need to follow them throughout the fishing season. Find the food they’re eating, put your bait there, and you’ll increase your odds for fishing success.

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Lake of the Woods

June 2018

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Marketplace

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Resorts

We have 9 fully furnished cabins available for rent year round!

Located on North and South Bear Creeks where some of the best trout fishing in Iowa takes place.

We are also surrounded by several acres of public hunting land.

The Highland General Store offers many unique gifts and everything you could ever need for a great day of fishing and/or hunting. Beautiful campground with trout stream running through it.

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Highlandville, Iowa Hours are: Mon-Sat 8-7 Jan-March Mon-Sat 8-8 and Sun 10-4 April-December Call for a Reservation Today!

563-546-7722

www.bearcreekcabinsia.com

June 2018

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Marketplace

4TH ANNUAL

2-DAY EVENT

On Friday, August 17th from 4pm-10pm

In downtown Osceola, we will have the Bacon & Bluegrass Festival. This will include the BBQ contest (including chicken and pork), community sampling with purchase of wristband, and live music.

On Saturday, August 18th Lakeside Casino

Is hosting the 4th Annual Car Show at 777 Casino Drive.

Registration will be at 8am-11am; Show will be from 11am-2pm; and the awards will be at 4pm. This will include food & vendors on site, Dash Plaques, Goodie bags, Door Prizes, and specialty awards. Pre-registration will be $15 until July 27, 2018 and $20 the day of the show.

Contact Derek Lumsden | 641-342-4200 | ocms@iowatelecom.net

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Marketplace

June 2018

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Marketplace

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Marketplace

Lake Fireplace & Spa 1604 Highway 18 W Clear Lake, IA 50428 641-357-3325 lakefireplace@cltel.net www.lakefireplace.com

Adel & Winterset TV & Appliance Co. 916 Main St. Adel, Iowa 50003 515-993-4287 tammy@adelwintersettv.com www.adelwintersettv.com https://www.facebook.com/adtv4287/

Send Your Trophy Photos To info@iowasportsman.com Or log on to www.iowasportsman.com June 2018

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Becker Ag Sales 1034 Hwy 169 Bode, IA 50519 (515) 379-1360 www.beckeragsales.com “Since 1954”

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Northern Minnesota

Central Minnesota

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Northeast Minnesota

Classifieds

DEER PROCESSING/ MEAT LOCKER

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