More federal land is being opened up for fishing and hunting in Iowa as part of the Trump administration’s move to make public land more accessible. Margaret Everson, of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, says 1.4 million acres were added to open areas this year, including at Neal Smith Wildlife … [Read more...]
Flooding could limit access in some areas as duck season opens
The duck season is set to open this weekend and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources reports that access to several of their popular public wildlife management areas in southwest Iowa have been cut off by floodwater. DNR wildlife biologist Matt Dollison says parts of the Riverton area's … [Read more...]
Temporary deer hunt allowed on Charles City golf course
Officials in a northeast Iowa community have approved deer hunting on a golf course in order to reduce the deer population -- and reduce damage to the golf course. The Charles City Council approved a resolution allowing for bow hunting on Wildwood Municipal Golf Course. Roger Sutton of Charles … [Read more...]
Quail numbers drop after big increase last year
Iowa’s quail population took the biggest hit of any of the game birds from the tough winter conditions. The annual roadside survey found their populations were down 36 percent from last year. DNR wildlife biologist Todd Bogenschutz says impact was greatest on quail because their range is only … [Read more...]
Pheasant numbers stable, unharvested crops could make hunting tough
The results of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources survey show there will be plenty of pheasants available when the season opens in October. DNR wildlife biologist Todd Bogenschutz, oversees the survey and says the numbers didn't crater despite some rough winter and spring weather. "Yeah … [Read more...]
Annual DNR roadside pheasant survey set to get underway
The annual statewide roadside survey will start next week, giving the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and hunters, vital data about the health of populations of wild game, like pheasants. Todd Bogenschutz, a wildlife biologist with the DNR, says the official counters will literally be … [Read more...]
Survey says: Iowans like to fish
A survey finds Iowa anglers fished for more than ten-million days last year, a big boost from about a decade ago. Jeff Kopaska, the DNR Fisheries research biometrician, says they surveyed more than 16-hundred random licensed Iowa anglers about how often they go fishing and where, what species … [Read more...]
Governor comments on her timeline to find new DNR leader
Governor Kim Reynolds says she's conducting a national search to find a new director for the Department of Natural Resources. On May 1 of last year, Chuck Gipp retired after serving seven years as the agency's leader. Bruce Trautman has been the department's acting director for the past 12 … [Read more...]
Lead poisoning a concern for Iowa’s bald eagles
While the bald eagle is making a comeback in Iowa and across the country, an expert says there are still some challenges facing the national symbol. The executive director Saving Our Avian Resources (SOAR) Kay Newman from Carroll, operates a rehabilitation program for eagles. "Half of all the … [Read more...]
Logan’s Law honors Charles City teen who died in 2017 ATV crash
The bill named after a Charles City teen who died after sustaining brain injuries in an ATV accident is now law. The law will let people signal their intentions to be an organ and tissue donor when they buy a hunting or fishing license. Governor Kim Reynolds was in Logan Luft's hometown this … [Read more...]