Warmer weather early in the winter raised concerns that ice on the state's rivers and lakes would not be strong enough for ice fishing. That has turned around to where the DNR is concerned conditions could make it tough on the fish to survive in the water. Fisheries Biologist, Mike Hawkins in … [Read more...]
Sales of fishing licenses dropped slightly in 2018
A spokesman for the Iowa DNR, Mick Klemesrude says the sale of fishing licenses was down a bit in 2018. "I think if you look back we had kind of a really strange spring where I think we had snow all the way into middle April," Klemesrude says. "And when you have some of those crazy fluctuations … [Read more...]
Family lobbying for ‘Logan’s Law’ to promote organ donation
A Charles City family is urging legislators to honor their son's memory by promoting organ donation. They call it "Logan's Law" and it would let people sign up as organ donors on Iowa hunting and fishing licenses. Wendy Luft's 15-year-old son Logan died in an ATV accident on July 4th, 2017. "What … [Read more...]
North Bulter and Clarksville students now taking hunter safety courses
Hunter safety courses for middle schoolers in northeast Iowa, which drew national attention, are now underway in the North Butler and Clarksville districts in Butler County. Administrators announced in November that hunter safety, including firearms safety, would be implemented into the PE … [Read more...]
50-fold increase proposed in fine for taking a bald eagle in Iowa
A bill that would dramatically raise the fine for killing a bald eagle in Iowa has again soared past an initial hearing in the House. Backers say last year's attempt to raise the state fine from $50 to $2,500 failed due to timing, not from lack of support. Kay Neumann of Saving Our Avian … [Read more...]
Bill would make atlatl a legal deer hunting weapon in Iowa
Ancient, unusual and a tongue-twister -- just a few words lawmakers are using to describe a prehistoric weapon that's made its way onto the pages of proposed legislation at the state capitol. A three-member panel of senators took up a bill this week that would let people use what's essentially a … [Read more...]
Meeting set Thursday in Dubuque County to discuss CWD in deer
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is holding an informational meeting in Dubuque County Thursday on Chronic Wasting Disease in deer after the first positive sample from a deer in the county was confirmed. DNR wildlife biologist Terry Haindfield says he expects to get a lot of interest at the … [Read more...]
State taking survey of those who bought a fishing license in 2018
Iowans who bought a 2018 Iowa fishing license are being asked to participate in a survey that will help the Department of Natural Resources shape its management of the state's fisheries. DNR spokesperson Jeff Kopaska says they're hoping to hear from a diverse group of anglers. "Such as people who … [Read more...]
Paddlefish licenses now on sale for western Iowa rivers
Licenses are now on sale for the paddlefish season on the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers. The DNR fisheries expert for the area, Chris Larson says there are a couple of options for getting a license. You can purchase one tag now through December 31st. There are 950 resident or 50 non-resident … [Read more...]
Students at North Butler and Clarksville schools can take firearms course in spring
Firearm safety is being added to the curriculum in the North Butler and Clarksville Community School Districts. Starting in the spring, a mandatory hunter safety course taught by Butler County Conservation will be implemented into the 7th and 8th grade PE curriculum. A voluntary, closed class will … [Read more...]