Volunteers with keen ears are needed to help the Iowa Department of Natural Resources track the state's populations of frogs and toads -- as another way to monitor water quality. Graduates of the DNR's so-called Frog and Toad School learn to identify the critters by their calls, like the Boreal … [Read more...]
Volunteers needed to clean up tornado debris in Red Haw State Park
Volunteers are needed this weekend to help restore a state park that was heavily damaged in a tornado just over a year ago. One camper was killed when the powerful EF-3 twister cut across southern Iowa’s Lucas County on March 5th of 2022, destroying much of the infrastructure and foliage at Red … [Read more...]
Series of DNR town hall meetings begin Monday
The Iowa DNR will start a series of series of town hall-style meetings Monday where local staff provide updates on the recently completed hunting seasons and possible changes to hunting rules and regulations. Wildlife Biologist, Todd Gosselink, they hope for some good interaction. "We want to … [Read more...]
Three counties see first cases of CWD in deer
DNR state deer biologist, Jace Elliott, says testing during the recent season found more cases of chronic wasting disease. "Unfortunately, about 84 deer tested positive across the state this year. Now keep in mind, that's out of about 5000 deer that were sampled statewide this year alone," … [Read more...]
New filter system approved to help Spirit Lake hatchery raise muskies
The Iowa Natural Resources Commission has approved spending $75,000 on a filter system for the Spirit Lake fish hatchery in Dickinson County to improve the production of muskellunge or muskies. DNR fisheries supervisor, Jay Rudacille says the system is needed to obtain better water to raise the … [Read more...]
Number of deer taken by hunters increased this year
DNR state deer biologist, Jace Elliott, says hunters reported taking more deer this year. "We saw about 109,600 deer harvested across the state throughout all of our regular seasons, which represents about a seven percent increase to the harvest that we saw in the prior year," Elliott says. That … [Read more...]
Judge orders Marengo facility to comply with clean up order
An Iowa District Court judge has granted the state’s motion for a temporary injunction and issued a consent order requiring the cleanup of hazardous waste from the C6-0 facility in Marengo. C6-0 and its owner Howard Brand agreed to pay $330,000 to a consultant to get rid of the soil and water … [Read more...]
DNR hoping more people will use Chickadee checkoff when filing Iowa taxes
An Iowa tax checkoff that sends money to the Fish and Wildlife Fund has seen some ups and downs in recent years. DNR wildlife biologist, Stephanie Shepherd, oversees what's called the Chickadee Checkoff. "During tax year 2020, folks were especially generous. So we did see a big drop in donations … [Read more...]
Legislators consider rules for a black bear hunting season
Black bears would become a protected species under legislation working its way through the Iowa House. Representative Dave Jacoby of Coralville says the goal is to let state officials regulate hunting if the black bear population grows. "I think it's important for Iowans if we do see a shift or a … [Read more...]
Elk sightings were more common in Iowa last year
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says elk sightings are becoming more common in Iowa as the number of trail and outdoor cameras has increased. The DNR's Tyler Harms says the source of the elk is not as certain as it used to be. "You know, we'd always presume that they were coming from … [Read more...]