A central Iowa man may face stiff fines after killing six trumpeter swans. Acting on a tip, the Iowa DNR sent a conservation officer to Paul Errington Marsh, near Ankeny, on Friday where the officer witnessed a man shooting a trumpeter swan. As the officer approached, the man shot a second … [Read more...]
DNR asks hunters for deer samples to continue CWD monitoring
The first shotgun deer season opens Saturday in Iowa and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is again asking hunters for samples to test for Chronic Wasting Disease. CWD was first confirmed in wild deer in Allamakee County in 2013 and has since been found in Clayton, Dubuque and Wayne … [Read more...]
Sample from Woodbury County deer shows signs of CWD
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says a tissue sample from a road killed deer collected on the south side of Sioux City shows a high likelihood that the deer was infected with Chronic Wasting Disease or CWD. The DNR's Tyler Harms says that first test is enough for them to take additional … [Read more...]
Deer hunters preparing for shotgun opener
Many thousands of deer hunters will be combing Iowa's fields and forests this weekend as the first of two shotgun seasons will open Saturday. Tyler Harms, a wildlife biometrician with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, expects it to be a busy weekend and he reminds hunters to wear their … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving pheasant hunt is a tradition for some families
Thanksgiving brings family members together for the big meal -- and for some it's also a time for a family pheasant hunt. DNR wildlife biologist Todd Bogenschutz says it is something to consider. "Everybody comes back and visits the family for the holiday and the biggest issue is -- can you … [Read more...]
Men charged with shooting a trumpeter swan while duck hunting
Three men are charged with illegally shooting a trumpeter swan at the Cedar Bottoms Wildlife Management Area in Muscatine County. Conservation officer Derrick Slutts says he investigated after getting a tip that the swan had been shot Sunday. "I was able to collect some evidence at the scene -- … [Read more...]
State increases bobcat bag limit in some counties as population increases
The bobcat comeback in Iowa continues and that's led the Iowa DNR to raise the trapping limit in the area where they are most prevalent in the state. DNR wildlife biologist Vince Evelsizer, says they are moving from a one bobcat limit up to three across the southern three tiers of counties in … [Read more...]
Coyotes remain a popular draw for Iowa hunters and trappers
Iowa saw a record number of coyotes taken last year and a DNR furbearer biologist says they remain the hot animal to hunt and trap. Vince Evelsizer says there were more than 18,000 coyotes taken last year. "Typically it's been 12 to 13 thousand in recent years, which is higher than recent years … [Read more...]
Birds should be abundant as hunters open pheasant season
The man who tracks pheasant numbers in the state is expecting a good season when hunters take to the fields this weekend. DNR wildlife biologist Todd Bogenschutz says the roadside survey in August usually gives him a good idea of what to expect. He says the counts were down a little bit … [Read more...]
Glidden father and son charged with illegally taking deer
A father and son from Glidden in Carroll County are accused of several deer hunting violations. DNR Conservation officer, Andrea Bevington, says the charges came after an on-line tip. Thirty-nine-year-old Joshua Snyder and his 59-year-old father Kenneth Snyder are charged in the case. "This all … [Read more...]