About half way between Carroll and Jefferson, and north of Coon Rapids sits Dunbar Slough - just out of away enough and large enough that hunters and bird watchers can always find a spot to enjoy this dynamic complex.
The nearly 2,500 acres of rolling hills of prairies and wetlands on four parcels – the main area and three smaller satellites – is home to ducks, geese, trumpeter swans, pheasants, sandhill cranes and more and one of the regions premier dove hunting areas.
Numerous grassland bird species, muskrats, great blue herons, egrets, deer, rabbits, hawks and more call the area home. A juvenile wood stork spent a summer here about five years ago – only the third time one had been documented in Iowa.
Dean Nelson, wildlife biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Saylorville Wildlife Unit at Bays Branch, has been working on habitat at Dunbar for more than two decades. He said the goal is to return the area to as close as possible to what would have historically been here – a mix of prairie and wetlands.
“Maintaining the prairie, keeping woody vegetation out and keeping invasive species at bay takes a lot of our time – prescribed fire is our biggest friend because we can impact a large area relatively efficiently,” Nelson said.
“But there are times when we need to do a reset – if the habitat has become more monoculture - and then we will farm it for three years to get the memory out of the soil, then seed it to highly diverse prairie mix during the winter. And that will be happening to a 117-acre section this winter.”
In 2026, the Bays Branch Unit burned 300-400 acres. In 2027, Nelson said they are planning larger burn on the main area.
With fire the primary management tool for the prairie, the best tool for wetlands is the ability to manage the water level and that requires a water control structure.
A project to install a new water control structure was competed just after Labor Day. Parts of central and western Iowa received a near record amount of rain for September, and on this early October morning, the main slough was holding a lot of water, and a lot of ducks.
“The goal of the management plan for the marshes is to promote vegetation and to eliminate any carp that get in by dropping and raising the water level. Carp can enter the marsh during flood events, like what’s happening now, and cause problems with the aquatic plants and impact water quality,” Nelson said.
Trumpeter swans gather on the marsh. Sandhill cranes have nested near the marsh. Paddling is an option on the larger slough and a fun way to experience marsh life.
A local producer who is part of the beginning farmer program installs and maintains the food plots. The agriculture practices at Dunbar Slough is certified organic.
While there are no trees, Dunbar holds a lot of deer and is a good place to go shed antler hunting. Part of Dunbar Slough from Hwy E53 north one mile to the gravel road is a waterfowl refuge. A 90-acre parcel by the refuge is being farmed as the preparation to becoming a prairie.
“The goal here is to have less than five percent of the acres in agriculture. We’re currently at about 10 percent, but working towards that goal,” he said. “Dunbar is great for waterfowl, it has great pheasant numbers, birders love it here. It’s a nice area with seven parking lots that provide a lot of access.”