Extreme Weather will Impact Iowa Archers

From late spring snow to early 100s then record cool this summer and back to an incredible heat wave -this year we've seen it all it seems. This is taking it's toll not only on area farms, our state's Whitetail population has been enduring all of these extremes.

As we approach the archery season, not only should Iowa bowhunters be prepared for just about every type of weather, we'll have to deal with some big challenges with the Whitetail habitat this year.

Heavy soaking rains flooded farm fields most of the spring. In addition, that record May snow retarded soil temps and the combination delayed planting. Many corn fields went in several weeks late. This will push harvest back into the middle of rut for some, and it means a golden jungle of crunchy cornstalks until then. Where standing corn may pose a giant road block for some, others see this as an opportunity. The extensive security habitat is going to make it tougher to see, but it also makes big bucks feel pretty darn comfortable. They may be patternable well into the pre-rut phase

This latest dry spell is now a full fledged drought. Drought conditions are often accompanied by extremely hot temps and whereas the Iowa State Fair was nice, the end of August will feature heat for the record books. Hot and dry weather take their toll, and water sources will turn back into a hot commodity for hunters in the early season.

Vegetation is also being degraded by this heat, and this is changing the preferred browse for Whitetail. Acorns are falling and have been in some areas since the beginning of August. That oak stand might just be dynamite by opening day... or it might already be cleaned out as the trees give up on this year.

As we sizzle outside with some serious late season heat in August and early September, it may be important to look back at this year's tendency and history in general. This year has been predominantly cool with Des Moines' average temp is 4 degrees cooler than the normal value. There have been several instances where late season heat reverted into early frost, freeze and even snow! Click here for more.

Whether it's an early season snow and bitter cold surge followed by a mini heat wave or just the standing corn that's hiding a herd of deer from your view - extreme weather will impact Iowa archers this year. It might be time to learn how to still hunt a cornfield!