Desolate Snowscape or Outdoor Opportunity

No matter which way you slice it, winter is tough. Whether its bitterly cold temperatures or brutal wind chills, Iowa's harsh winters can really put your outdoor skill and grit to the test. But as long as you're safe and smart about how to plan for the conditions, January in Iowa can be full of outdoor opportunity. There are still several days left of the January antlerless season, so if you like to deer hunt you still have a chance. It is amazing to head afield and visit some of the brutal conditions the critters call home. It can really make you appreciate the luxuries of life. And there's another plus side to the negative number wind chills -the cold all but guarantees you'll have your corner of the outdoors all to yourself. Unless of course you're on one of central Iowa's many lakes. Ice fishing is heating up as the winter temps go down, and from the reports I'm seeing on http://www.iowasportsman.com/ plenty of folks are hauling their limit through the ice. So if you like solice and incredible scenery, and the thrill of the hunt or a fighting fish through the ice, get off the couch and take to the field. We have also had several outdoors shows recently with at least one more coming to central Iowa where talk of spring turkey season or morel mushroom hunting might help take the chill out of winter. The Iowa Deer Classic Feb. 25th - 27th @ Hy-Vee Hall and you can find more info at http://www.iowashows.com/Shows/index.cfm?Show_ID=43

When One Door Closes, Another One Opens

January 10th was the last day for many Iowa hunters and now it's now time for most of us to hang up the shotguns, bows and muzzleloaders. If that's the case for you, I hope you had a successful and happy season! While the doors of the 2010 Hunting Season drew to a close with falling snowflakes - a new door is opening. And the new blanket of white is like a clean slate to start the special January Antlerless season, which lasts until the 30th. Keep in mind, hunters need to pick up a new 2011 hunting license in addition to their tags (which are only available for a select group of counties south of I-80). There are still thousands of tags left, click here for info. on county-by-county Antlerless quotas. From a weather standpoint, it doesn't get any better than this for late season! An active & cold pattern will push animals to predictability and food. Thick snow makes deer visible and will help confine herds to their best food sources in out of the way places. Deer are thinking high energy forage and thermal protection. So focus on cozy, south facing valleys adjacent to corn fields or any cover close to food that offers them protection from the elements. If you think hunting does is easy, go give this season a try! Winter whitetails are savvy creatures. They have adapted the skills to survive the slugs, arrows, cars and cold. You'll often find them herded together and hopefully you see them before you see their white tails -it's hard to sneak past several sets of wary eyes. To make matters worse, they're often perched on a hillside with good cover and great visibility. If you're smart about your wind and your approach, this season is fun and you'll see lots of deer. Go get some cagey does, if you can!

Time is Running Out!

The days are dwindling for hunters in Iowa to tag a deer or harvest pheasant and waterfowl. Late muzzle loader and pheasant season lasts until Monday, January 10th, but the special antlerless gun season will continue for select counties in southern Iowa until January 30th. So far Iowa hunters have tagged nearly 110,000 deer this 2010-11 season, which is down over 6% from last years numbers. Here's a link to the Iowa DNR article http://www.iowadnr.gov/news/10dec/harvest.html  Aggressive tactics can really work when you're out of time and in a pinch, but they will certainly disrupt deer activity and may only work once. Right now, wildlife are settling into patternable feed-to-survive behavior, and they have generally piled into low hunting pressure areas. Competition for food will eventually spread the herd out a bit, but generally the biggest dominant bucks are either nocturnal or in their sanctuary. Hunting just outside this on travel routes to food sources can be a big key to success if you cannot get permission to hunt their lair. It takes good scouting, persistence and dedication and with the relatively 'warm' temps and little snow cover, it will be tougher than most late-season situations. But there's no greater reward than taking a mature deer under these challenging circumstances.