A Walk Into The Unknown
White-nose Syndrome has decimated bat colonies in 17 states and four Canadian provinces. Is Iowa next?
By Mindy Kralicek    Photos by Clay Smith

Hunting Blind
Legally blind, 85-year-old Ruth Vandergriff still enjoys the outdoors thanks to some good friends.
Story and Photos by Mindy Kralicek

Making Winter Wildlife Images
Learn to take great winter pictures with tips from Urbandale nature photgrapher Ty Smedes.
Story and Photos by Ty Smedes

Those Big Urban Bucks!
You dont have to go far to find big bucks in Iowa. Some are right in your back yard.
Story and Photos by Ty Smedes

It Had To Be Done
A Civillian Conservation Corp veteran recounts growing up on the Mississippi River, a life lived outdoors, and  surviving the most difficult years of the last century from the Great Depression to the Battle of the Bulge and  how it lead to a dream job in fisheries.
Story and Photos by Mike Butler

The Tundra Swan
The Tundra swans baffling migration route—from Arctic breeding grounds to East Coast wintering grounds—strangely catches northeast Iowa. And that gets a lot of area birders excited.
Story and Photos by Ty Smedes

MythBusters
Do birds suffer from frostbite, and is it really in the best interest of birds to provide winter feed?

Together
Relish a heavy snow pack to explore Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge via nowshoes. Cozy up with books on bald eagle life and tying knots. Connect with the great outdoors with the help of useful phone apps.

Outdoor Skills
Get the most life out of your camo; use simple household items to repair snowshoes; pull out your lip balm for easier fire starting; the upside-down truth on packing water in the winter.

Lost In Iowa
Enjoy the holidays amongst family and friends at Springbrook State Park, where the soon-to-be opened Sherburne cabin comfortably sleeps 14.

My Backyard
Take advantage of natural and effective insect control by installing a bat house in your area.

Wild Cuisine
Quick and easy energy cookies are healthy and packed with power for your next hike. Savor these recipes from L∙May Eatery, a must-stop on your next Dubuque visit.

Flora & Fauna
Find out what you didn’t know about Iowa’s most popular and recognized game bird.