DNR News Releases

Search for a News Release

Press/Media inquiries: PIO@dnr.iowa.gov

DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: refugeReturn

Central Iowa birding opportunities abound at Chichaqua - Neal Smith Bird Conservation Area

• 7/5/2023 12:08:00 PM
• View Count 3396

Dedicated in the spring of 2005, the Chichaqua-Neal Smith Grassland Bird Conservation Area (BCA) is an important stop along the bird migration. Based on weather radar, an estimated 800 million birds migrate through Iowa in the spring, and up to one billion in the fall, which puts Iowa in the top five states in the country for volume.

Refuge portion of the Hawkeye Wildlife Area changes designation to waterfowl refuge, restricting access until after duck season

• 8/15/2022 2:03:00 PM
• View Count 3388

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has changed the designation for the existing refuge on the southeast section of the Hawkeye Wildlife Area, in Johnson County, from a “Wildlife Refuge” to a “Waterfowl Refuge.”

Waterfowl refuge at Hawkeye Wildlife Area closed until mid-December

• 9/28/2021 9:36:00 PM
• View Count 1524

SWISHER, Iowa - The waterfowl refuge at the Hawkeye Wildlife Area is currently closed to hunting all species to allow waterfowl and other birds a place to rest during the fall migration. The refuge closed Sept. 24, and will reopen to hunting mid-December.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Media Advisory Highlighting hunting access at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge and across the country

• 10/8/2019 11:51:00 AM
• View Count 2852

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are proud to expand access to quality hunting and fishing at national wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries across the country. Please join us on Thursday October 10, 2019 as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Principal Deputy Director Margaret Everson and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon highlight recent successes in expanding hunting and hunter retention in Iowa and across the country.

A Day in the Life of a Working Dog for Conservation

• 7/30/2019 4:03:00 PM
• View Count 6174

It has all the elements of a good science fiction novel—an invasive species that hides in darkness and tries to take over native species using deception and disguise. It has all the elements of a good superhero movie—superheroes that work under the light of the moon and a veil of fog using superpowers that go beyond human ability.

Hawkeye Wildlife Area Refuge Opens Dec. 18

• 12/11/2018 10:19:00 AM
• View Count 3403

The wildlife refuge at the Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County will be open for public use, including hunting and trapping, on Dec. 18. 

Hawkeye Wildlife Area refuge opens Dec. 19

• 12/8/2017 10:28:00 AM
• View Count 4865

The wildlife refuge at the Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County will be open for public use, including hunting and trapping, on Dec. 19. 

Refuge on Hawkeye Wildlife Area open for teal, special September Canada goose seasons

• 8/29/2017 1:12:00 PM
• View Count 4390

Swisher, Iowa - The wildlife refuge section of the Hawkeye Wildlife Area on the west side of the Coralville Reservoir will be open to hunting until Sept. 20, to allow hunters access to public hunting areas for the special September Canada goose season for the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids zone as well as for the experimental teal season.

Waterfowl refuges closed to any access until duck seasons end

• 12/2/2016 10:16:00 AM
• View Count 5046

Iowa waterfowl refuges are closed to all access until the day after duck season closes. This year the duck season closes later than previous years and the later season dates may impact some deer hunters who have hunted the areas in the past. 

Waterfowl Refuges Begin Opening to Other Hunting

• 12/15/2015 7:28:00 AM
• View Count 6698

As the Iowa waterfowl seasons began closing, Iowa’s waterfowl refuges will begin opening allowing hunters access to hunt non waterfowl species with a current open season, and trapping. The main purpose of the waterfowl refuge is to provide a safe resting and feeding area for waterfowl.

Hawkeye Wildlife Refuge Open for Special Urban Canada Goose, Teal Season

• 9/3/2015 12:00:00 PM
• View Count 4390

The Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area participates each year in a special urban Canada goose season designed to reduce local populations of giant Canada geese before other subspecies of Canada geese migrate through Iowa in the fall. This year’s season is Sept. 5 – 13.