From the Iowa DNR

DES MOINES- Riders in the 2008 Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI), July 19-26, will have the opportunity to learn more about Iowa's landscapes through this year's "Learn about the Land" brochure series.

From the Iowa DNR

DES MOINES - Governor Chet Culver and DNR Director Richard Leopold announced Thursday that eligible watersheds in Iowa may qualify for federal funds under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Targeted Watersheds Grant Program.

By Matt Watters

A few years ago a buddy of mine asked me if I’d like to go scouting for deer one afternoon. Being, it was the end of July and about 100 degrees out, I wasn’t exactly sure what sort of scouting he was talking about and I told him so during our phone conversation. His reply is something that has had a profound impact upon my outlook on deer scouting ever since. A successful deer hunter isn’t made during November; he’s made in July and August. With a quizzical look upon my face, I hung up and drove over to meet up with him.

By Todd Reed

The bass jig is probably the most talked about bass lure ever created. The spinnerbait, buzzbait, crankbait, topwater baits, finesse baits, and the thousands of different kinds of plastics baits that exist, still don’t get as much attention as the tried and true bass jig.

By Travis Mueller

Have you ever heard the old adage; if you’re going to be good at something, it needs to become second nature? You need to live it, breathe it, dream about it, and want to do nothing more! Welcome to the new age in waterfowling. This is something that has become more than just a hobby for many here in this great state, and you know what? They are very good at it and getting better every year. Waterfowling, like many other outdoor passions has no off-season. The last day of season begins next year’s preparations in more ways than just cleaning your shotgun and putting the decoys in the shed.

Well, once again we were tested. Jeremy and I had a great day of pre-fishing the day prior to the May 31st Brushy Creek HAWGZ Bass Tournament. High, murky waters made the fishing difficult for many of the 29 teams. While several teams brought in great bags of fish, over half the field didn’t even weigh a limit.

By Thomas Allen

This spring and summer has been very unpredictable! I know thousands of Iowa Sportsmen and women across our great state are feeling the pressure of out of control gas prices and river systems. Many are without homes due to the floods and many are without adequate funds to fully pursue their fishing and other summer time passions thanks to soaring fuel prices.

From the Iowa DNR

MILFORD - Richard Leopold, director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, will be holding public forums around Iowa starting with the lodge at Gull Point State Park Wednesday, July 16.

From the Iowa DNR

CRESTON - Green Valley State Park will undergo a major transformation over the next two years, essentially resulting in a new lake and a much-improved campground.

By Lowell Washburn, for the Iowa DNR


"It's been an incredible year for peregrine falcons. We now have more peregrines nesting back on natural cliffs than we do on buildings." Bob Anderson, Director, Raptor Resource Project

WAUKON JUNCTION - Assembled along the stone base of a towering Mississippi River cliff, a hopeful collection of falconers peer skyward. Traveling from across four Midwestern states, the congregation of raptor enthusiasts arrived in Iowa last Saturday, all hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive peregrine falcon--alive and wild in its native habitat.