11 Things You Need in Your Tackle Box Right Now - Spring Fishing Edition 4/3/2015 8:10:00 AM View Count 15158 Fishing is a great way for families and friends to enjoy being outdoors and learn new skills. Pack your tackle box with these basic necessities for a fun and successful spring fishing trip. Don’t forget to bring along your fishing license and a camera to capture all the memories.
Finding Injured Wildlife: What to Do 4/3/2015 7:52:00 AM View Count 36698 When Pete Vande Poppe spotted a great horned owl along Highway 60 near Alton about a month ago, he knew something wasn’t right. He swung by home to tell his wife, Gretchen. She grabbed the camera and off they went, finding the owl in the grass alongside the road.
How to Create Natural Dyes for Easter Eggs and Other DIY Projects [Tutorial] 4/3/2015 6:39:00 AM View Count 9368 Create super intense Easter eggs that outshine those made with store-bought dyes with these foraged, natural dyes. Get outside with a friend or loved one to gather plants and brew a tempest of color. The dyes are easily frozen for later use.
Cool Things You Should Know About Prairie Chickens 4/2/2015 10:22:00 AM View Count 16001 Early in April, eerie, hollow booming reverberates over a field near Kellerton, the last remnant of greater prairie chicken habitat in Iowa. Go to the lek, or breeding ground, to hear the males begin their courtship rituals. Watch as they shrink and expand leathery orange sacs on each side of their necks to make the haunting sounds that hens love.
Eight Historical CCC Parks in Iowa 3/31/2015 11:26:00 AM View Count 52047 From the iconic boathouse at Backbone, to the spillway at Beeds Lake, to the varied and beautiful stone lodges and shelters within so many of our parks, we owe a debt of gratitude to the men of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Celebrate the CCC’s anniversary, March 31, by learning about these stand-out examples of CCC projects in Iowa.
How Do Birds Know to Return in the Spring? 3/27/2015 9:07:00 AM View Count 10486 Common sense tells us birds fly south in the winter to escape the harsh conditions of the north, and return “home” in the spring when the weather improves. While that theory doesn’t fly in the face of truth, it isn’t altogether factual, given most birds are well-equipped to handle extreme temperatures.
Spring Turkey Hunting Safety Tips 3/27/2015 8:43:00 AM View Count 8230 An estimated 50,000 hunters will be in the timber this spring pursuing the elusive wild turkey and while the woods will not be crawling with hunters, there is a chance for an occasional encounter. Hunters should practice defensive hunting techniques. Hunters should make a loud statement like “hey – hunter over here,” if they see someone coming into the same area. One loud noise shouldn’t scare a bird too much because loud noises happen in the woods. However, don’t make motion or throw something to get the oth...
Where Does Water Go After it Goes Down the Drain? 3/26/2015 11:28:00 AM View Count 43318 Whether it’s rainfall from a summer storm washing over land, or wastewater from your household, all water heads downhill, often through a drain.
Six Surprises to Discover at the Spring Becoming an Outdoor Woman Workshop 3/25/2015 5:58:00 AM View Count 5706 There's just about a month to go before the second annual Spring Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop gets underway at Honey Creek Resort State Park.
Build a Bluebird House [Tutorial] 3/13/2015 5:49:00 AM View Count 17966 Bluebirds should be arriving soon in Iowa, so now's a great time to clean out those bluebird boxes, or if you don't have one yet, to build your own!
Gear Up to Start Tying Flies for Spring Fishing 3/11/2015 6:50:00 AM View Count 6183 Use our list from Iowa Outdoors magazine to start tying your own warm water flies.
Viking Lake Work Has Lasting Effect on Fishing, Water Quality 3/6/2015 6:35:00 AM View Count 7269 Once so thick with algae that the water looked more like green paint than water, southwest Iowa’s Viking Lake has been on the up and up since a major watershed improvement there wrapped up in 2009.Five years of monitoring Viking Lake in southwest Iowa reveals the lake is clean enough to be removed from the list of Iowa impaired waters for algae growth.
Why Are Robins So Big in the Spring? 3/5/2015 10:24:00 AM View Count 34146 Just like the first sighting of a robin marks spring for many people, so does the arrival of animal babies. But in this case, robins aren’t big in the spring because they’re ready to lay eggs. They’re not bigger at all – just really cold.
Water Quality Efforts Soak Up the Benefits in Monona 3/5/2015 5:00:00 AM View Count 5768 Imagine the flooding and runoff—and the destruction it could cause—from dumping 2,000 gallons of water on a parking lot in only one minute.
Wetlands Project Sinks Hole-in-one 3/5/2015 4:35:00 AM View Count 6404 The cackle of pheasants has returned along the north and west sides of Okoboji View Golf Course in Spirit Lake after a major watershed improvement project created wetlands and native prairie on 350 acres.
7 Reasons to Visit Honey Creek Resort this Spring 2/27/2015 9:50:00 AM View Count 5924 Enjoy a close-to-home getaway for a wonderful meal or an outdoor spring break adventure. Honey Creek Resort State Park has seven exciting reasons to visit this March and April.
Cool Things You Should Know About Iowa Hawks 2/27/2015 9:24:00 AM View Count 33650 After all, Iowa is the Hawkeye state, so read on to learn about some of Iowa’s coolest raptors.
Knots Every Angler Should Know 2/25/2015 8:15:00 AM View Count 22430 Knot tying is an essential skill for beginning anglers to learn. It's not hard - it just takes some practice. Knot tying is best learned with monofilament fishing line. Try these easy to tie knots to get you started.
Learn More About the Least Weasel 2/25/2015 4:10:00 AM View Count 14080 While it can still be common in specific locales in northern Iowa, for the most part, the least weasel is now pretty rare in Iowa.
Jump Into Winter Wildlife Tracking 2/25/2015 3:28:00 AM View Count 18823 Kids (of all ages!) love discovery, and what better way to feed that need than by turning snowbound winter days into a fun family or couple’s outing. Better yet, set aside time for regular outdoor jaunts to create a memorable tradition.
Snag a Paddlefish This Spring With These Pointers 2/25/2015 2:57:00 AM View Count 17489 Anglers fishing the Missouri and Big Sioux Rivers this spring have a new angling opportunity. The new paddlefish fishing season opens March 1 and runs through April 15 (sunrise to sunset).
Turkey Vultures Don’t Deserve the Bad Rap: Cool Facts on These Iowa Scavengers 2/20/2015 8:27:00 AM View Count 73532 These scary looking vultures may be nature’s garbage collectors and have some especially gross (but effective!) defense mechanisms, but they are also very clean, curious and quite likeable creatures.
Central Park Lake Poised for Return 2/20/2015 4:56:00 AM View Count 6053 Central Park Lake encompasses only 25 acres, but the 297-acre park is a popular recreation destination in Jones County, despite the lake’s listing as “impaired” due to excess algae, bacteria and pH.
Winter Camouflage and Coloration in Iowa's Wildlife 2/20/2015 4:18:00 AM View Count 10355 For many Iowa animals, the stark landscape – bare trees and a bright white groundcover – makes them stand out more in the winter, which is good news for those who enjoy watching wildlife. But for a few Iowa critters, winter is a time for them to blend in with the scenery.
Can You Find the "Hidden" Animal? 2/20/2015 3:24:00 AM View Count 6240 Can you tell which Iowa animal is "hiding" in the photo?
Top Calorie-Burning Winter Outdoor Activities 2/19/2015 10:25:00 AM View Count 8774 Need to work off those Valentine’s Day chocolates or finally make good on a New Year’s Resolution? Or just looking a fun activity to try this winter weekend? Try these top outdoor activities for burning calories.
Six Things You Need to See and Do at Pheasant Fest 2/19/2015 9:51:00 AM View Count 5687 The 2015 National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic returns to Des Moines this weekend, February 20-22, at the Iowa Events Center.
Louisiana Jambalaya The Iowa Way 2/13/2015 9:55:00 AM View Count 6447 After years of painstaking research—and many trials and errors—to come up with the best jambalaya recipe, we at the Iowa Outdoors test kitchen think we have a winner.
Rice Lake Returns 2/13/2015 9:03:00 AM View Count 9500 The topic was lake restoration, but in 2009, the small group of lake users living near Rice Lake wasn’t ready to discuss pulling the plug on the 1,000-acre shallow lake straddling the Worth-Winnebago county line.
Go Shed Antler Hunting 2/13/2015 8:54:00 AM View Count 99314 Whitetail deer have about a two-month shedding period in Iowa, beginning mid-Jan. and ending mid-March. Around Feb. 20 is the best time to start looking for shed antlers.
The Mighty Mink: Cool Things You Should Know 2/13/2015 7:12:00 AM View Count 42246 Built much like its larger relative the otter, the mink has a long, sleek body about 2 feet long. It has short, stubby legs, a long neck, small ears and eyes and a long, thick tail. In fact, one third of the mink’s length is tail.
Saw-Whet Owls: Iowa's Mysterious (and Tiny) Winter Visitor 2/13/2015 5:29:00 AM View Count 11729 The secrets of northern saw whet owl migration are coming to light, and an Iowa research effort is contributing greatly to understanding this mysterious winter visitor.
Tutorial: Tie Your Own Soft Hackle Fly 2/12/2015 9:53:00 AM View Count 12598 There are few better feelings for an angler than hooking a fish with a homemade lure. The soft hackle fly is one of the oldest and most varied patterns; tie your own orange and pheasant breast fly in minutes with these simple steps.
Explore Pine Lake State Park This Winter 2/11/2015 10:04:00 AM View Count 17135 Pine Lake State Park provides the winter adventurer 650 acres of woods garnished with a labyrinth of powdery trails to hike, ski and snowshoe; and spacious, remodeled cabins sporting super-sized stone fireplaces that breathe hickory-tinged heat into every nook and cranny.
The 9 Things You Need For Ice Fishing 2/6/2015 10:09:00 AM View Count 14559 Stock your tackle box with these basic necessities to get you started, and be sure to check local ice conditions before you go.
Go Ice Climbing this Winter - on an Iowa Grain Silo 2/6/2015 9:07:00 AM View Count 13734 There it stands: a shimmering, crystal tower. A frozen waterfall. A spire of ice. That’s if you look at it from the north side. From the south, it’s just a grain silo.
Make Your Own Snowman Bird Feeder 2/6/2015 5:11:00 AM View Count 6262 Add bird and wildlife foods to your snowman to make this seasonal rite of passage fun and functional.
How Many Iowa Birds On Our Winter Birding Checklist Have You Spotted? 2/6/2015 4:09:00 AM View Count 12338 Whether it's on one of Iowa's birding trails, state parks or at your own backyard feeder, winter is a great time to enjoy birdwatching. Use our checklist to see how many Iowa birds you can spot this winter!
Prairie Strips Help Iowa Farmers, Land and Water 2/4/2015 9:47:00 AM View Count 6227 “Conservation with a purpose” is how Tim Smith describes his newest farming venture that builds on past work to protect water quality on his Wright County farm.
8 Things You Can Do Right Now to Improve Your Ice Fishing 2/4/2015 9:08:00 AM View Count 23992 While we can't necessarily improve ice conditions, we can help you be a better ice angler with these tips - when Mother Nature cooperates with good ice, of course.
Go Calling Under the Owl Moon 2/3/2015 8:57:00 AM View Count 22666 February’s full moon is nicknamed the owl moon, as the crisp night air is filled with the calls and hoots of mating owls. Trek into the woods with the young and young at heart to practice calling owls.
What's the Difference Between a Groundhog and a Woodchuck? 1/29/2015 9:08:00 AM View Count 22786 How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? We’ll never know because the Marmota monax’s common name (woodchuck) is not representative of this mammal’s habits or habitat, but reflects the early English pronunciation of the Cree word for this creature—wuchak.
Winter Photo Tips from One of Iowa's Top Nature Photographers 1/29/2015 8:46:00 AM View Count 8191 Don’t let winter weather keep your camera up on the shelf, as the season can provide excellent opportunities for shooting picturesque winter landscapes and photographing Iowa’s wildlife at a time when they’re most visible and easy to find.
Can You Guess the Mystery Animal? 1/29/2015 8:10:00 AM View Count 5577 Can you guess the Iowa animal featured in this extreme close-up?
Cool Things You Should Know About Bald Eagles 1/28/2015 9:30:00 AM View Count 37505 An eagle can fly 35 to 44 miles per hour solo, or about 30 mph carrying a freshly caught meal. It can dive at speeds reaching 100 mph.