~ i. • ' ... ' . • "' . ' f " ' • l , ~ , • • ...... ' . .. . • -· .
DNR ON THE AIR FROtJ WILD I THES by Mick Kleme rud year..,. On the other ">ide of the Cedar Rapid'> AM 600 WMT It \\a' around noon and co 111 . the DNR began a partner"ihlp Saturday' 6:45 a.m. I ~ M Creston AM 1520 FM 101.3 KUOO 103.9 FM \H\\ prcpanng v, 1th KJJC 1n the De\ Moine\ for 1h local neVvo.., hour. The area la\t ">pnng. KS IB Wedne..,day'l 12:55 p.m. voice on the radio told ll">lencr!-1 to Outdoor c.;porh -,how~ are a Denison AM I '>10 KDSN - I I ~lay tuned for DNR con~crvalion great Vvay to provide quality Friday-, :45 a.m. ol'ricer Jell Morric.;on who wou ld inrormation to the public. The De Moines AM I 040 WHO - be talking about \\hat angler' 111HjOI'Ity of the 'lhOW"i are ho"ited Or Sunday' 9 a.m. could e\.pect for the opening ol co-ho.., ted by con..,en atlon officer.., Dubuque AM 1370 KDTH rnda}.., 5 /) pIll. \\aile)~ ... ea\on. A\ the \hO\\ \\ ho h:n e the mo<;t up-to-date came back from commet'Cial. 1111 ormallon on hunt mg. fi-,hi ng. Keokuk \M 1310 KOKX - Saturdt~}.., 8 10 a m lorn..,on gm e angler.., 111 the cJmping and other outdoor pur..,uit< .1ud1ence a fe\\ pomter.., on bo
1. ._,...... Mtd. K!elll£ .\n({/ t\ w1 ll{{ormation I \pecialt\1 lltlh the department's C0/1/IIIIIIlicotion\ bureou i11 Des M om e.\. STATE ttBRARY OF tOW East 12th & Grand
FRONT COVER: BIG TIMBER BUCKS BY WILDLIFE ARTIST LARRY ZACH. TO GET THE STORY BEHIND THE ART, SEE PAGE 16. WMT - Features
I 0I l £. 2002 HUNTING SEASON OUTLOOK . 55 p.m. \._ by Terry W. L1ttle s~- The Augu~t roadside counts are in for upland game, and deer and turkey population estimated have been tabu lated. Will hunting season be a boon - or a bust? WHO- thi ~
2001 RECORD RACKS ~TH- It X- IOWA DEER HERD HEALTHY by Lowell Washburn ) - F\1 2 Chronic wasting disease is gaini ng much attention 1 8 a.m. lately. Find out what the Iowa DNR is doing to :\\'PC- protect Iowa's deer herd from the disease. pm. 195 9 FLIGHT BIRDS m. 2~ by Lowell Washburn F:\1 107.1 Departments What make~ the woodcock the odde~t - and most 1 endearing - gamebird you'll ever hunt? ~AK :30 a. m. MR. FISH HALTS HABITAT LOSS ON THE K~f A- Letters 2 MISSISSIPPI by Gene Jones _o - Satur· A partner~hip between state and federal agencie and Parks Profile local \ olunteers is helping protect habitat along the - F\1 951 Mississippi Ri\er. Su nda y~ Conservation 101 RECORD PRODUCTION YEAR FOR 32 PEREGRINES AND TRUMPETERS by Lowell Washburn One of the state's most popular and best-followed Kids' Corner wildlife prog ram~ is paying big dividends.
PRAIRIE RESCUE REVISITED by Matthew J. Edwards and Jeff Sing r!CD Conservation Update 3S It was an odd request, but hundreds of volunteers turned 1190 KKOJ out on Earth Day 2002 - to cut down trees. 1 KUOO A:'J _ ~pnl Warden 's Diary NEW SAFETY PROGRAM HELPS IOWA ~ 5 p.m. SCHOOL CHILDREN BREATHE EASIER by Brian Button :.----- Partin g __S_ h_o_t_ _ _ Under a new state program, all Iowa die el school buses . ,r.onnafiOli ril II tlij• will be tested for emissions. The Bus Emissions Educa ' •parlliiCIII .\ tion Program will help Iowa schools identify and con·ect De ~ (Ill Ill· emissions cleliciencies to help improve Iowa's air quality - and protect it's school children. ETTERS
one l Thanks For The cattng mu..,hroomo., t\ of mu..,hroom readable 111 30 year<.,. nd Personal Touch hunltng. The hunt rna) be more I ... ugge<..,t that the DNR mail c n I recent\) changed 111) than half the fun. but the edibiltt) out a lammatcd lt ccn..,e to each of the I addre..,.., and in the proce..,.., ran or the quarry i.., the point of the the per..,on.., who alread; ha\e a l(l{ into most!) bad experiences. \\hole exercise. Jirettme licen ... e. I'd be happy to Most organi1ations attempt to do Arter Noah's Fl ood, according ..,end a buck to cover the cost of tt electronically and fail. They to Genesir.,, God gave man the right a permanent lifetime license. a\..,o ignore the info you ..,end to u..,e bca..,h. fo-wl .... and fish for them tn the mail or me..,.., it up food Ne\ er dtd He gtve uo., the Roger Mobley ..,omehov•. nght to torment Hi o., r.,entient Cedar Rapid I got ) our 00 phone no. I rom creature.., JU\t becau..,e we get a the maga11ne and talk.ed to a real k.tck. out of thetr pantck.ed reaction I would obJect to )OUr per..,on \\ ho tran .... fetTed me to the to the pam and lear \ve infltct. ..,pendmg mone} to lamtnate the '"change of addre..,s ·· real per..,on Eattng I "'h ... anctt fie.., the catchmg It lett me ltcen"e" In 1986 I and n \\a.., a done deal. Both ol ft..,h purcha-..ed 111} ltfet11ne hunting people 1 talk.ed to were courteou.., Don· t ..,pram ) our elbO\\ and ft..,hmg ltccn..,e and \\ent right and enJO) able to talk. to. patllng )Our..,elf on the back. for to a local office ... uppl) store and A fe\\ da).., later. the lao.,t reJca..,tng a ba..,.., If you're going to had tt lamtn.tted. tssue of the Comen·ationi\t wa.., go home and cat a pork chop. The co..,t I don· t remember matled to my new addrer.,o.,. Eating n..,h you catch tread~ more but wtth that bemg the la<;t one If you can. extend my ltghtly on the environment than I'd purchase the co..,t did not gratitude to your staff; they arc buying \tore-bought meat. Thir., i.., matter. great and thanh for doing thtng.., e<..,pectally true here in Iowa. That l1cen..,e \ttll remains in ''here manure. ag chemicalr.,, and m; btllfold at ,\II tune.., and is still the old ra ... hioned \\a,. l ..,t\t I rom ro\\ crop.., are a major in prett) good ..,hape. Tom Power.., em tronmental problem. f IO\\a Ctt\- hnall). con..,umption oflegall) Dar Kephart tak.en ft..,h t\ prett) lo'' on the li..,t \la-..on Cit\- Doesn't Agree With of factor.., that can ad\ er..,el) Catch-And-Release artectthe qua Itt; of fi..,hing in Author Points Out The lov.a. People -who catch and cat Other Side on ATV s n... h are tired of being labeled In the March/Apnl and Ma)/ Rick L. Ql..,on un..,porting. meat hogs, or greedy June t..,~ue.., or the !mi'CI Conser J Indianola angler~, by catch-and-release \'otioniM you ~bared opinions angling elitists. from several reader~ regarding The catch-and-release ethic Writers Disagree On their disappointment with the is a crock invented by ~o-ca llcd Laminated Licenses ATV adverti..,cmcnts that are ..,portsmen who pursue poor little Dick. Wagner's letter pub present in the recent is..,ue of fi..,hies with thousands of dollars· li!-,hed in the July/Augu t i~ ue of the maga1ine. Whtle I'm proud worth of Space Age technology. " !mi'CI Consen·ationisr" ug to ..,a) that I'm an ATVer. a Fishmg i essentially an ala\ i..,tic gested that the lifetime fi hing ~nO\\ mobi lcr. and a con sen ati on acti vity harking back to our Iicen<>e be laminated. I too \V a t<..,l. the problem I ha\ e i~ the hunttng/gathering roots. and <..,urpri~ed to get a piece of paper negati\ e connotation that i consumpti on of the fi h we wk.e for a lifetime li cense. rm onl; 65 automall call) a-..sociated "'ith the is a<; integral a part of fishing as and I doubt that the license will be A TV and the \110\\ mobile. I for
lt)\\J < (111\\'f\,ltHml't • C)~,.·ph:mhcrJO,.:tuhcr 1001 one kno"" many riders of ATV s father di scO\ered an active quail and \nowmobiles that are good nest tight in a nower bed in our )XR mall conservationists that abide by all front yard. Only after the eggs :to each of the laws and respect other's right had all hatched and the young i~ have a to enJOY nature. I' m not going to covey gone from the premises did happy to argue that there are not a few he proudly show us children the e cost of individuals that may ruin people's empty nest. I recall surprise at all ense. outdoor experience but r for one those left-behind egg shells. have had ... cvcral outings ruined by There must have been all of 16 ~er ~lobley a hiker or a fisherman who was little ones in the departed brood. redar Rapid trespassing. So in concluding Fast forward 75 years. and I plea'>C don· t pass judgment on an continue to live in the c.;ame block. rour mdt\ 1dual JU'>t because they but not the sa me house. Now 83. linate the choose to ndc a recreational I haven't heard the "bob whi te'' 86 I vchtc le call for at least the past 30 years. runung Brian Atkinson The meadow has been taken over went right Center Point by one of Iowa· s large t assisted store and living care centers. The quail left Quail Decline Saddening long. long ago. !member Your thorough-going piece on Your article prompted last one quail. "A Yanishtng Species" curiosity, are there any quail left id not ( Con\eJwttiolllst. July-August in Linn County? I phoned our 2002 tssuc) brushed off early county conservation folks and ~mains in memones of this wonderful bird. luckily was referred to the man in and is still togethe1 with curiosity on present charge of game bird counts. He '> latu .., of numbers hereabouts. reported his most recent count Ftrst the mcmoncs. turned up two quail, although he )ar Kephart The hmt '>C tn which I was ha tened to add he had heard \la,on Cit) bom and grc\\ up 1 ~ located, then reports of a few 111 the Springville a .... now, on one of Iowa· s busiest area. But officially only two? tut The :-. trccts, I· irst A\ cnue. two miles Only two left in Iowa· s second lTVs out from do"' nto\1\. n Cedar Rapids most populous county? Ye . and prospects cominuc ~ l1rink.ing for il and Ma)/ on the road to Marion. Across the the species throughout the entire , avenue and down a block was an 10 Comer· expansi\ c meadow full of thick country. I feel awful- but I do pinions 1 gra"s from whtch on summer thank you for the article, disheart regarding mornings we used to hear the ening as it is. vith the delt ghtl'ul "bob white" ca11 of free that are ranging q uc.ul. Joh n M. Ely Jr. issues of One year my early rising Cedar Rapids rm proud f\'er. a onsef\ arion· 1·e j, the The /cm a Conservationist welcomes letterc.; from readers. Printed that is l e tt er~ r~ncct the optnions of the author. Letters may be edited for ·th the 1ted 11 1 • length and clanty. Letters can be emailed to alan.foster@dnr. tate.ia.us. 'le {tor 10b I ' TING SEASON
IO\\ a·, nimrod' 'hould enter the 2002 hunting 'ca,nn' v. ith broad smile" and expectation' for a good to e\ccllcnt 'ea,on regardk" of what they hunt. Quail and phea\ant hunting will be greatl} imprm ed mer Ja,t year. Deer number' remain high and huntmg regulation' arc liberal hunter<; will be allov.. ed to tak.e more deer than mo't famiJie, can con~ume. Duck. and goo-..e number' remain at or abO\ e their long-term lc\ el' for the -..pccies mo~t important to Iowa \\aterfowler,. Wild turk.ey brood~o, will be more common than the last fev. years. And furbearer numbers remain abundant for the fe'' trapper' and humer' that 'till pur,ue them. The rea-..on tor this euphoria is that ~lother Nature \\ore her happy face this year. In case you ha,·e forgouen. the ''inter and 'Pring of 1 001 were nearly the colde:-.t and \Vettest on record. Upland game numbers plummeted becau'e of greater-than-normal winter Jo,-..e, and poor production of young. There were e\ en documented ca-..e' of \tarvation of deer and wild turkeys. an usual uccuJTence in lov,;a. \\ ith concerns expre"'ed that -..ub~o,tantial losse' may ha\ e occurred. The out look for big game \\a' guarded. but prediction' for upland game were dm' nright pe-..-.imi,tic. Beginning in mid- ummer. ho\\e\'er. l<.t't year'' \\Cather did one of tho .... e abrupt re\'ersals for \\ hich the ~lidv. est i~o, famou-.. The pa-..t fall. Upland Game winter and spring were among the v. arme~o,t and driest on record. Over Phea ants, quail and par J winter losse' of all wildlife were minimal and condition" were fa\'orable for tridge. La t year the DNR ·~ Augu t excellent reproduction of upland game and v. ild turkeys. Mild fall weather roads1de counts produced e~ttmate allowed deer hunters to take a record number of whitc-tailed deer. but deer for nng-necked phea-..ant' and population' remain abundant nearly e\erywhere. bob" hite quail thJt \\Crc the IO\\ e t The prairies of the northern Great Plain" - North America's duck recorded . ince count-. \\ere \tarted in factory - "ere too dry and warm. and drought cycle' reappeared for the 1963. umber\ of g1a) partndge fir~o,t time in a decade. Reduced waterfowl production i-.. expectc>d. pru1icu were the lowest \lncc the late 1970s. larly for specie" that nest in the shallow wetlands that dry up first when llunter apparently took thi grim drought strikes. But the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Sl'rvice·, fall flight predic hut hone t forecast to heart. perhap lm tion for mallard' remains at long-term average level-... too much so. The number of phea - Experienced hunters know. howe\ er. that more than ju't the abundance ant hunter fell to I 13.000. quail or lack of v. ildlife affects their hunting success. A 'ariety of factors hunter\ to 24.000. and partndge l weather. timing of crop han est. migration patterns and even when the full hunter~ to 6.000 - all record lows. la~t moon occurs - can affect the hunting experience. With that in mind. let's Unsca~o,onabl] warm 0\ember recre take a more realistic look at what the upcoming hunting 'easons might hold. weather led to poor early-season «Od \ hunting success and ultimately by Terry W. Little reduced hunting effort. As a result.
6 lov.d Con!'l.(f\3110111'1 • \eptcmhenO...tohcr 2UU2 produce a ~ imil a r result, but the) have an added ad\an tage; when numbers are lov. some bobwhite hens will produce more than one brood. Of course weather and predators take their toll on young chi cks - about half survive in the best years - so this potenti al growth is never reali Led. But a doubling of numbe r~ from one nestin g season i ~ very possible, and an even greater increase can occur in ' cry fa vorable years. The btggcst improvement in upl and bird hunting will occur in regions where the most hens survived through the unfa\orable weather of 2001. At thi s time, best hunting for2002 will probably be in a broad belt across central Iowa al ong Interstate 80 and in the northwest quadrant of the state. Num bers there rebounded to normal leveb in just one ju<;t 470,000 phea\ants. 32.000 and resident s spend $ 188 annually on nesting season and the outlook for bob'" htte.., and 6,000 panridge were hunting ex penses. Thi -. translates to good pheasant hunting is excell ent td par· \R ·, .\ugu't hane..,ted, about hal f of the previou a loss of revenue la-.t fall of near!) where\ er ph ea~a nt habitat remains. IO\\\ e\cr reported for these specie $ 100 million thm \.\ Ould have been Southern Iowa ha<; been in the j e)umate~ Once normal \\-Cather returned in spent for food. lodgmg, gas and grip of poor weather during the ~'and the lo,,e,t mtd December. howe' er. the few hunting equipment tn \ mall . rural nesting season for mo..,t of the past hu nter.., '>tt ll wtlltng to hunt found a towns where the need for additional decade. however, and upl and bird ere ~tarred in fe\.\ more btrd.., than might have been economic actt \ 1ty is the greatest. numbers were far below norm al even partridge ex pected. Best success seemed to The outl ook for the coming before the di saster of 200 I. Pheas e late 1970~. be tn ea'>t centra l and northwest sea on is far more optimistic. Results ant and quail numbers increased ook thi~ gnm Iowa, where the greatest amount of from the roadside count s indi cated there, but the impro vemcnt will not be !art. perhaps secure phca-.ant winter habitat average statewide pheasant numbers as obvious. Doubling a population of ·er of pheas· rematn\ more than doubled since last year and two pheasants per qu are mil e still quail o. Thts rcductton in hunter numbers quail number~ are up approximately results in just four pheasants. It will lf1ridge last )Ca t had economic as well as 28 percent. A single pair of phea - take more than one nesting season to :ord lo'' "· rccrea(tnn.tl tmpact The U.S. Fi h ant can potenti all y increase number turn thing~ around in thi s region, but ,,ember and Wtld lih: ';en tee estimates 700 percent from a -; ingle su cces~ful thi year \\-ill at lea<;t ha\e staned ,.,ea on . nonrc..,tdent phea-;a nt hunters spend nest (one roo-;tcr + one hen + I I things in the right directi on. rnatel~ an a\er<~ge of $240 \\ hile in Iowa, )Oung = 14 phcasant"i). Quai l can One other factor may \\Ork in .\' a re,ult. upland g.. tme b1rd hunter•·: fa, or th l\ While the C)cle hac., not hl\toncally \\atl Iowa 2002 distribution maps. )Cc.ll \ dl) 'ummer ha~o, matured been a\ apparent m 10\\a, some Counts represent generalized (~ crop' e. n Ia Ruffed G rou e. outlook lot the commg ~o,ea\on is for Am 1 he han C<.,t of 900 btrd\ little change I rom la\t )Car, but that la ... t "ea"on b) 3.000 \\Ill probabl) not dete1 the hardy fe\\ hunter" , .. a'> the thtrd that lmd rufled grou~e huntmg an lm\C\t on record. but e\Cttlng Lhtillenge. no matter how "eldom hJ\ e a'> man) a'> mdn\. btrd" the\- enLounter 5.000 b1rd" been taken Ill R a bbit~ and q uirrel . Other the l,t,t decade The upland g.. unc huntmg opportunme \\ ..mn "prmg rna) ha\e \\ere c.ll'-o pa"'ed O\er la"t )Car. Ju-:,t Pheasant unprm ed nc,tmg ~o,uc 36.000 rabbit hunter~ and 37.000 cc"' for ruffed grou'>e '-'.JUtrrel hunter"> took to the fields and \\Oodland" la">t year. nearl) the QUAIL th1' )Car, but two factor' vvork agatn<.,l seemg fe\\ C'>t on record for both group . ) ) much of an increa\e m The take of 197.000 rabbtt\ \\a~ 30 ? r I \ hunt1ng ~o,ucce\\ in the percent belO\\ the long-term aYerage. '-- L probabl} bccau">e man) rabbit"> are '1 I ncar future. \ Ruffed grouse taken \\ hlle phea,ant huntmg. The J \ - actuall) "un 1\ e \\inter take of "'2-U)OO '-lJLIIrrelc., ,.. a, belov. the be"t \\hen \nO\\ J\ a\ eragc but not dO\'- n ac., much a. I I I I I deep and fluff) . Thl'> rabb1h \ - allm"' them to roo'>t Couontailrabbth. and gra) and under \110\\. 1 olated IO\ '-lJtllrreh conunue to prO\ 1de the I rom cold temperature~ c., tate·" mo..,tunderutlltLed huntmg.... Quail and preda t or~. Tht opportuntliC'- C\en though rabbit and }Car'" open \\tnter '"a" '-lJUIITel population" are abundant. " I J GRAY PARTRIDGE not fa, orable for snO\v Hunt1ng lo1 the"c c.,mall game animal' roo~ttng on mo t nights. ~ccm~ to be on the declme for 'L/ ,~ 7 J ) And the 10-year cycle in ~ocJological rea,on"> rather than lack ~( ..,. - I ~ ~ 1 grouse population is at or opportunit) . Rabbit and ~quirrel (\ ·,~+ If"' 1r-.. )\~ ,·:; rc hunting u~ed to be a young ntmrod' l;:'_ :t Ii il IV\ Jtc., lowec;;t peak all across ~ \ ""' k I~ ~ \ ,,... 'l..l..._, I the Great Lakes states. mtroduction to hunttng. With fewer IV~~~ 1- J ' 1111nec.,ota and W1 con hunter~o, entcnng the sport at a} oung ~ lat r \111 reported decli n e~ 111 age, the 1ntere"t 111 '-lJllllTel and rabbit I I I I I D brced1ng grouse popula hunting ha" declined dramattcall}...... \ tiOn'- of 8 to 15 percent But e\cellcnt huntmg opportunitie and C\.pect population"> to e\t">t for tho"e that choo'>e to paruci h1t bottom this } ear. pate Gray Partridge
H l1)W 1 < 011\tn.st om:-.t • Scptcmhcrl(k.toh~ r :!OU2 u~toricalh a. some Waterfowl Iowa 2002-2003 Hunting Seasons and Bag Limits :iated 11 ith Duck . Last BAG LIMITS SPECIES SHOOTING HOURS }Car duck populations SEASON DAILY POSSESSION ~s Is probable Youth Rooster Pheasant were in mostly good Olt. 19-20 1 2 s of ruffed (age 15 or )Ounger)"'+ condition after nearl y u~t a fe11 Rooster Pheasant Oct. 26 - Jan. 10, 2003 8:00a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 3 12 Oct. 26- Jan. 31,2003 8 16 1·a. The a decade of adequate Bob'' bite Quail water on most of G rm. Parlridoe.. Oct. 12- .J an. 31, 2003 8 16 ;attered Thrkey One-half Hour Defore their prairie breeding Oct. 14 - No, . .30 :tllenge that (Gun)* Sunrise to Sunset One 1\Jrkey One '1\trkey grounds. Numbers of 1ters. The Turkey Oct. I - Dec. 6 and Per Licen ~e Per License mal lards, gadwall , (Bo\\ Only)* Dec.23- .J an. 10,2003 eason is for Amencan widgeon. Deer Oct. I - Dec. 6 und :ar, but that ( Bo'~ ) Dec. 23 - Jan. 10, 200.3 One-half Hour Before green-winged teal, 1e hard1 fe11 Deer Oct. 12 - Oct. 20 (early) or Sunrise to One-half and blue-winged teal (:\1uu leloader ) Dec. 23- Jan. 10. 2003 (late) Hour After Sunset One Deer One Deer unting.. an Per Liceme l'er Liccn ~e all specte. impor Deer -- Youth (age 12-15) atter ho11 e)>t . 21 - Oct. 6 tant to Iowa duck and e' ere!) Disabled :er hu nters - were Deer Dec. 7- 11 (fi.-.;t) or rels. Other (Shotgun) Dec. 14-22 {!o.econd) around a\crage Ruffed Grouse Oct. 5 - Jan . .3 1, 2003 Sunril>e 3 6 10numt1e~ le\els. Abundant Rabbit (CottontaiJ) Sept. I - Feb. 28, 2003 to 10 20 N year. Ju,• Sunset snowmelt and -,pring Rabbit (Jack) Oct. 26 - Dec. 1 2 ... j 37.000 Squirrel (Fox and Gra) ) Sept. I -Jan. 31.2003 6 12 rains left mo-,t Groundhog June. 15 - Oct. 31 :he fields and Oct. 15- ..., o, . .30 and 'II one wetlands in Iowa in CrO\\ trh the .Jan. 14 - \ larch 31, 2003 • gnod c.;hapc in spi te of " one :h groups. Pigeon** Oct. 1 - '\lurch 31,2003 a late summer Raccoon and Opo5sum Nov. 2- .Jan. 31, 2003 None bits 11a~ 30 '\o\. 2 · .J an. 31,2003 (O pen 8 a.m. Fi rst Day Only) drought. A warm , Fox (Red and Gray) Coyote Co nl in111111~ Open Season None term amage. . dry fall resulted in a Rc~i d en l ~ Onh. • Within 100 yilrth of huolrlin~o, nnd brod ,::~.,. pogcon' mil} be taken )ear round. + Sre rrgu l nlion~ ror tumpletc rcquil'('mcnts rabbib are very late free7e-up of nting The wetlands not unti I s was be]0\1 early December m northern Iowa and s much a~ after Chtt\tmas in the south. f h1\ combmat1 on of good duck nd ~a) and ~ populatton.... ''-arm weather and 1 pro1 ide the adequate hahitat for hunting produced dhunung some of the best ~ aterfow l hunting in !h rabbit and reLent year'>. and some of the poore t. abundant depending on v,. hen you hunted. oame animal' (;; The ca1l y duck season was ine for successful nearly everywhere with a her than Jack good harV C'> t of blue-winged teal and wd squirrel wood ducks. But warm weather mg nimrod\ throughout most of the rest of the fall With fewer dela}cd mt grations until substantially Jrt at a ) oun~ larcr than normal. A ~ t orm in the :z: < rrel and rabbit Da"otao;, on Oct "4 provided a day or :unaticall) · t~o of good hunting. but a return to portunitie~ mild \\Cather rco;,u lted in very little Excellent squirrel hunting is available to those who choose to pursue the ~~e to parti.:I· due" mi gration throughout November. "bushy tail." Hunting "'a"\ cr} lm.,. during what i 2002-2003 1\rligratory Game Bird Seasons and Bag Limits. llef f NORTH ZONE SOUTH ZONE Canada and White-fronted Sept. 28 - Dec 6 Sept. 28 - Oct. 20 Geese and Brants Nov. 9 - Dec. 25 Ducks, Mergansers Sept. 21-25 Sept. 21-23 r. nt and Coots Oct. 12 - Dec. 5 Oct 19- Dec. 14 While mallard populations are (excludmg plntails and canvasbacks) B Plntafl s Sept. 21 -25 Sept 21-23 at their long-term average, ~ Oct. 12 - Nov. 5 Oct.19 - Nov. 14 el certain species, such as Canvasbacks CLOSED SE ASON CLOSED SEASON "I I I canvasbacks (bottom) and - STATEWIDE hunt n!• pintails (below) have been Youth Waterfowl Huntinq Davs Oct. 5-6 hard hit, resulting in a closed Snow Geese (both white and blue phase) Sept 28 - Jan 12, 2003 season for canvasbacks and and Ross' Geese Woodcock a reduced season and bag Oct 5- Nov 18 Sn1pe Sept. 7 - Nov. 30 limit for pintails. Rail (Sora and Virginia) Sept 7 - Nov. 15 Spring Light Goose Season Feb. 1, 2003 - April 15 2003 additional regulations (snows, blues and Ross' geese) may apply
SIIOOTI'\G HOl R ~ : One half-hour before .... unn..,c to .... un..,ct for all ..,pecJes e\.<..Cpt \\OO DAILY B \G 0 PO E 10 '" Lll\ liTS: Duck\: Dad} lllnlll\ 6. 1ncludmg no more than 4 mallard' (of \\hlch no more th. 2 llla) be lcmalc). ' \\OOd duch. 2 redheado.,, I bl.td. duck. 3 mottled duck . 1 pmtall and 1 ..,caup. · Iergan er : Dati} l11111t "5, mclud1ng no more than I hooded mcrga no.,cr. Coot : Daily lim1t " 15 . Gee c: Dally limit for Canada gcc..,c "2. J·or other geeo.,e, the daily !Jm1t "' '"'h1tc-lronted. I brant and 20 anorcnatcee e IJohte ence..,e - both ~hlle and blue J1h,l\C \nO\\ eoeeo.,e and Ros-.· eoee' \\ oodcock: Dad} lumt "3. nipe: OaJ I) li mn "8. Ra il (Sora and Virginia): Dad) l11mt ,.., 12 ., : E *Po\\('\\tolllimitt\ t\\'1< c rite dail) ha~ limitfm all 'f>Cl '~'' t'\( cptl11~ltt ~~ I'H' tor 11ltich tltere ;, 11 :/ flO\\('\ \lOll ft11111 normal!) the peak duck light I O\\ c.tn\ hJn e\ted 249.000 duel huntmg t1me aero~ the 19 percent more than the pre\ wuo., \tate. } ea1. mtllcatmg JUst hO\\ good the latt MaJOr o.,torm to the sca..,on hunt1ng \\a.., for tho..,e hunters north in late November able to take ad' anlage'- of it. finally pushed a major The Canada goo..,e .... eason got of bott mi gration of waterfowl to a \low \ tart. with many hunters through Iowa. and commenltng on 10\\ number' of gees produced some spec 1\ slower-paced crop hanest ga\e a tacular duck hunting for fe ,, hunter-...... ome good opportunities the rcma1nder of the early 111 the .... ea..,on. but huntmg pre - .... ca..,on B) that time. \Urc appeared l1ghter than pao.,t years howe\ er. mo~t hunters and the mtld 0\ ember del a) ed goo, had quit huntmg for the tmgratton.., a.., \\ell as duck<-.. MO\e } car and pre-.sure on mcnt\ ol Canada geeo.,e and o.,nO\\ an' duck<-. and gee~e \\a~ blue el)ee..,e tnt o the \tale m late No- Limits \ember and early December provided to last year and at their long-term Canada goose season that had been - .., some fmr han est opportunitie . but a' erage, but numbers of other species held in northern fowa \\ ill remain INE closed again thi s year. If population<; 0 hunttng pressure wa low late in the in the fall flight'' ill be lower. season and the harvest dropped 22 Because most duck breeding continue to increase, however. an percent to 48.000 geese. populations are at or near average early season may be a reality in the I near future, particularly in central and --~r Best estimates at the time this levels, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife article goe to press is that Service has allowed liberal hunting ea t-central Iowa. )N watefowlers can look forward to sea ons again this II II hunting opportunities this fall simi Jar to year. Duck l last year. Drought on the western ea ons will be 60 I prairies has intensified and wetland days long for most ~ habttat is declining in the eastern species, and bag Dakotas, Minnesota and northern limits will be loVva as welL Duck production will be unchanged from poorer than in recent years from much Ia t year. The only of the prame pothole region and a exceptions are for IO\\er fall tltght of waterfowl i canvasbacks expected for many species. (clo ed season) and In spite of thi , breeding popula pintail (30 day tions or many major waterfowl species season with a daily more thil arc sllll in good shape. The late bag limit of ont ucks. I migration last year kept millions of bird). If production mnl ducks and geese farther north than IS as poor as 'anada normal all through the hunting seasons. ex pectecl and d 20 Major southern waterfowling states conditions remain os~· gwe like Louisiana and Arkansas, which in dry on the breeding lirginial: normal years account for two-thirds of grounds, reduced duck hunting opportu The fall flight of Canadas from the the ducks taken in the Mi ssissippi nities arc certain to follow next year. Ea tern Prairie Population that nes t ~ ~there rs r. 1 FlyVv ay. had duck harvest that were Geese. The ~ latu s of resident and near Hudson Bay in Man itoba is reduced b} 15 to 61 percent from migrant goose populations important to expected to be similar or larger than normal As a result, more duck Iowa hunters i ~ generally good. Fall la t year. These arc the geese that duc!J returned to the breeding grounds in eason~ will remain at 70 days again migrate through Iowa to \vinter m •000 '\ iou~ 2002. and a larger fall tlight than this year and a spnng hunting <,eason Mi ouri. generally appearing after KJ the late v.etl,md t.:o ndlttons would otherwi e for light gee e (snows, blue<,. and Ross' most giant have migrated. They e hunte~ d1ctate is expected. geese) will be held aga1n under a comprise a small percentage or the Brced 1ng populations of mallards, conservation order from the U.S. Fish total gee e taken in Iowa, but are a >n got o, both ... pectcs or teal, gadwall, shoveler and Wildlife Service. source of good late-season hunting in Jnte[) and red heads were at or above their The number or giant Canada geese years when migrations are normal. s of gees~ long te1m averages; numbers of recorded on DNR surveys in Iowa this Precipitation in Iowa during the .t ga\e a widgeon, pintaib, scaup and canvas spring was estimated at 87,000, summer has been spotty and wetland conditions reflect th at variability. > rtuniue~ bacb. were below average. Pintail including 36,000 goslings. Both were ing pre)· numbers arc very low, probably all -time highs. Giant Canada., are Pre ea on scouting will be more because they breed and nest in hifting their di stribution within the important than ever to detcrmi ne 1a~t ) ea.r.- tT(I()I ~ tempmar} wetlands that are the first state, however, with fairl y stable which wetlands have sufficient water 1\ ed :; • numbers in notthcrn countie~ but to hunt. Hopefully, the m1gration ~f o\ e· to dr)' up \\'hen drought strikes. The rapidly increasing numbers in central pattern of ducks and gee~e will be !iOO\\ aflj mid t.:on tment flight of mallards i Iowa. As a re~ult the early September more typical thi ~ year than last. gi' ing .ate ~o· expcued to be 8.9 mtllion birds. imilar 2002-2003 Migratory Game Bird Seasons and Bag Limits ,ember ome f1 NORTH ZONE SOUTH ZONE hunun: Canada and Whtle-fronted Sept 28- Dec 6 Sept. 28 - Oct. 20 Geese and Brants Nov. 9 - Dec. 25 ~ea on Ducks, Mergansers Sept. 21-25 Sept 21-23 and Coots Oct. 12 - Dec. 5 Oct 19 - Dec. 14 percenl While mallard populations are (excludtng ptntails and canvasbacks) Be at their long-term average, Pintatls Sept. 21-25 Sept 21-23 Oct. 12 - Nov. 5 Oct. 19- Nov. 14 art1cle certain species, such as Canvasbacks CLOSED SEASON CLOSED SEASON \\ Jtefo canvasbacks (bottom) and STATEWIDE hununl pintails (below) have been Oct 5-6 Ia I ) hard hit. resulting in a closed Snow Geese (both whtte and blue phase) Sept 28 - Jan 12, 2003 prame season for canvasbacks and and Ross' Geese Woodcock Oct. 5 - Nov 18 habnat a reduced season and bag Sntpe Sept. 7 - Nov 30 Dakot limit for pintails. Rail (Sora and Virginia) Sept 7 - Nov 15 lO\\ a iOi Spring Light Goose Season Feb 1, 2003- April15 2003 additional regulations (snows, blues and Ross' geese) may apply poorer of lhe ~ SIIOOTH\G IIOl R : One halt-hour be tore o..,u m J<,e to ~ un ... et fm all <> pecJe.., IO\\ er f C'\LCpl \\OOtkoLk.. \\lllch ,.., o.., unn o..,e LO o..,un ... et 0\IL\ B\G \ D PO ' E 10 ::: LI IITS: tion Du c k ~ : D.u l) lumt ,.., 6. 1ncludmg no more th an .f m.1 ll an.b (of \\ ht ch no more than. I 111.1) be lemale). 2 \\OOd dud. '2 redhead .... I bl ac k uuck. 3 mottled ducks. I ~mall p1ntall and 1 o..,ca up. lVlergan er : Dally l11111t 10.., 5, 111clutllng no more th an 1 du~b J hooded mcrgano..,c r Coot : Dail) limit ,.., 15. Gee c: Dall y linlll for Canada nom1al gcco..,e ,..., ' hn other gec..,c. the daily limit ,.., 2 wh1te fron ted. 2 brant and '0 aggregate li ght gcco..,c - both '"hite and blue phao..,e ... nO\\ gec ... e and Ro o.., o.., · gee(,e \l aJor \\oodcock: Dati) lum t 1o.., 3 nipe: Dml) lum t ,.., 8 Rail (. ora and Virginia): :ike Lo Da11\ l11111t1 .., 12 nonnal • the due *Pm H '\\WII limit i' til icc the dail) ba ~ limit for all ' f't'CIC\ C \ 1 ep t liJ:IIf ~l'l' \t' {lw 11 /11< h there;, no Fl) \\3) po' \(' ' \/OJ I lim II redu~et nonnal no1mall) the peak dud. retume hunung ume aero the 19 p~ rcc n t more th.m the pre\ 10us 2002.3 o.., tatc. )Cal, mtllc.lllllg .JU "t how good the late \\ell am MaJor ">torm ~ to the o..,eth on hunt1ng \\ .1.., tor th oo..,e hunters dictate north in late O\ ember abl e to take I () 1uw.t ( Ulh~ l V.ttHIIll't • s~,. ph!'lll~ t 'O..:tuhcr 20()2 vember and early December provided to Ia t year and at their long-term Canada goo e ea on that had been some fair harvest opportunities, but average, but numbers of other species held in northern I o~a ~ ill remain hunting pres ure wa low late in the in the fall flight will be lower. clo ed again this year. lf populations season and the harvest dropped 22 Becau<>e most duel-. breeding continue to increase. however, an percent to 48,000 geese. populations are at or near average early eason may be a reality in the Best estimates at the time this levels, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife near future, particularly in central and article goes to press is that Service has all owed liberal hunting east-ce ntral Iowa. watefowlers can look forward to seasons again this hunting opportunities thi s fall similar to year. Duck last year. Drought on the western easons will be 60 prairies has intensified and wetland days long for mo()t habitat is declining in the ea tern species, and bag Dakota<>. Minnesota and northern limits will be Iowa a~ well. Duck production will be unchanged from poorer than in recent year from much la t year. The only of the prairie pothole region and a exception are for lower fa ll flight of waterfowl is canva backs expected for many species. (clo ed season) and In spite of this, breeding popula pintails (30 day tions of many major waterfowl species season wi th a daily nore •hm are still in good shape. The late bag limit of one :ks. I migrati on last year kept millions of bird). If production n I ducks and geese farther north than IS as poor as nada normal all through the hunting seasons. expected and 20 Major sou thern waterfowling states conditions remain ;s· !!eN ~ like Louisiana and Arkan a , which in dry on the breeding ·ginial: normal year account for two-thirds of ground , reduced duck hunting opportu The fall flight of Canadas from the the duck taken in the Missis ippi nitie are certain to follow next year. Eastern Prairie Population that nests Flyway, had duck harvest that were Gee e. The status of resident and near Hud on Bay in Manitoba is reduced by 15 to 61 percent from migrant goose populations important to expected to be similar or larger than normal. As a result, more duck Iowa hunters is generall y good. Fall Ia t year. These are the geese that ()()due~' · returned to the breeding ground in easons will remain at 70 days again migrate through Iowa to winter in iou~ 2002, and a larger fall fli gh t than this year and a spring hunting sea on Missouri. generally appearing after the late wetland conditions would otherwise for li ght geese (snows, blues, and Ro s' mo t giants have migrated. They hunter.- dictate is expected. geese) will be held again under a comprise a small percentage of the Breeding populations of mallards, conservation order from the U.S. Fi h total geese taken in Iowa, but are a and Wildlife Service. source of good late-season hunting in 1 got off both species of teal, gadwall , shovelers atel'> and redheads were at or above their The number of giant Canada geese years when mi grati ons arc normal. of geese. long-term averages; numbers of recorded on DNR urveys in Iowa this Precipitation in Iowa during the oave a widgeon. pintails, scaup and canvas pring was estimated at 87,000, summer has been spotty and wetland c tunitie' backs were below average. Pintail including 36.000 goslings. Both were conditions reflect that variabi Ii ty . g pre.,- number\ arc very low, probably all-time highs. Giant Canadas are Preseason scouting will be more shifting thei r distribution within the important than ever to determine ,t ~ear because they breed and nest in ed g(l(''~ temporary wetlands that are the first state. however, with fairly table which wetlands hm e sufficient water to dry up when drought strike . The numbers in northern counties but to hunt. Hopefully. the migration •\lo,e· mid-cont111ent fli ght of mallard i rapidly increasing numbers in central patterns of ducks and geese will be no'\ .u1ll expected to be 8.9 million bird , imilar Iowa. As a result the earl) September more t) pica! thi s year than last. gi' ing :e \o- recreauo more hunter., .tn 2002-2003 TRAPPING SEASON . ,e 12 ln\l.a ( l\11\l:f't.JIHHH t • Scptemhl.!r/Odohcr 2002 recreation hou ld have an excellent escaped captivity or were turned Wild turkey. Turkey populations ea on with little competition from other loo e by an owner no longer able or continue to thrive statev. ide wherever trapper or hunter . willing to control them. suitable fore ted habitat exists. Poor River otter continue their amazing Since the Shelby County incident, weather during the nesting season Ia t spread aero the tate since the DNR lion track have been confirmed in year may have reduced producti on 2003 began reintroduci ng them in the late Fremont, Ringgold , Carroll , Lyon and omewhat, but breeding populations 1980s. Otters have been seen in 94 of Allamakee counties and sightings remain at good level . Last fall, 6,000 Iowa' 99 counti es and young otters have been reported by the public in 17 hunters took 2,800 turkeys, maintain- have been documented in 75. As a other counties, 2003 result the river otter wa removed from mo tin the the tate's "threatened pecies" Ji st thi western third year, a major mile tone in the recovery of the state. of a pecies e entially eliminated from Whether these 2002 the tate 50 year ago. track have Perhap the most urprising devel been made by opment in 2002 has been the reappear wild or captive 'FOR ance of large cat in enough number released lion . to generate intere t fro m the public. and how many Bobcat have been here in mall of the ightings number even during the earl y 20'h from the public century when most large predators are actually discour were eliminated. They have been lion and not - tinoe steadily increasing wi thout assistance the prod uct of :t: from the DNR since fur pri ces took a an overactive <: dramatic plunge in the 1980s. They imaginati on is have cutTentl y been seen in two-third unknown. But of our counti e , wi th onl y the lightly the presence of one wild adult cougar ing the normal 45 percent succe ~fleet the fore ted east -central and north-central lends credence to the fact that there rate. Spring hunters in 2002 took Jrbearel'. region currently without sightings. could be at lea t a few lion roamll1g 20,700 tom . also a typical harve t fo r 'e Wt) Thi fa ll DNR biologists and Iowa Iowa' rural landscape. recent year . DNR brood surve) · will ,caped State Uni\ er ity will undertake a not be completed until earl y Septem bobcat re earch project in outhem ber, but with a good number of turkey · oe;: an Deer and Wild Thrkey :north Iowa to document their urvival, White-tailed deer and -wi ld turkey and the mild weather Iowa experi ,ater reproduction and movement . Informa populations continue to be abundant. enced this pring, a good hatch i~ e!!etauon tion from thi study wi ll help cienti t o hunting seasons will be nearl y expected. Hunters shou ld look for a ~ IU krat interpret the increa ing number of identical to last year. There will be possible increa e in license quota~ Jending bobcat sighting and hopefull y lead to some adjustment in county antlerl ess after Sept. 15, once survey re~ults are compiled. nd remov ing bobcats from the state's onl y deer license quotas to adjust for iU cure "threatened specie " li t soon. minor regional deer population White-tailed deer. Last year's Even more amazing has been the changes from last year. Fall turkey mild weather continued throughout all of appearance of mountain lions in south license quotas may increase if the but the late muzzleloader and special west Iowa. A large male lion killed in a January ea on . and the deer harvest ers thJS expected excellent hatch is docu increa ed to record level a. a resul t. ket colli ion wi th a car in Shelby County is mented by DNR brood . urveys. nent. but the first documented wi ld mountain lion Otherwise hunters can expect more There was orne grumping from early in Iowa in nearly a century. Other lions of the excellent hunting opportunitie season muzzleloader and bow hunters 1e 19· (} about it being too \.\arm, crop still in the fe'' have occa ionall) been captured bur they have enjoyed for the past 20 11 for we the) have all been animals that have years. the field, and a full moon during the peak hunting penods. All deer and wild turke) ltcenses umehUJ hut these are normal rna) be purchao.,cd O\ cr the counter thou,am huntmg problems. \\here\ er hunting licenses are <;old. In splle Bov.. hunter ~uccess Moo.,t licenses v.. 1thout quotas can be C.S. Ce declined b; about 10 purchao.,ed through the lao.,t day of the the \\ or percent a<; a result. hunung o.,cal.ion for v..h1ch a license 1s ha.' heel but hunters m other valid. The only exceptions are h COn'IUffi seasons more than cen<.,co., f01 the second shotgun and there b made up for it. Deer late mu; ;leloade1 \Casons, which must contrac hunters often com be purchased by Dec 14. \\here. plam when the; do Chronic "' asting disea e. The Hu not ha'e snov.. co,er on I) d1sturbmg de,clopment on the ha\e t for trackmg deer. but deer hunttng scene 10., the near h) tena OCCUI\ C\ tdcnce mdtcates that ha" erupted mer the dtsco,ery of in one :1 that mild '' eather. chrome \\<1\llng dtsease (C\\ 0) m the di ea' e like last -\Car. result~ M 1d'' C\t Pnor to thts } ear. C'A'D D1se 111 the best hunung \\as found only in a fe\\ western mremJ \UCCes\. states Ll\l o.,pnng C\\ D ''as dtsCO\ related More infom1ation on hunting \bout 173.000 deer hunler ered tn J ... mall. localt;ed area 111 purcha ... cd a record 266.390 license ... outhern Vv 1scono.,m Hov.. H got there C\\ D. regulations. season dates. bag ..... 'heep. ~ limits. license quotas, hunting and took an all -tunc h1gh 136.500 will probabl) nc\cr be defimtt\el) deer. The har\ est 111 nearly ever; proven. One theor) 1 that someone 60 \e zones and other details can be • found in the following booklets season wa" h1ghcr than in 2000. and Illegally 1mported a deer from a the good nev." 1s that much of the western game farm that wa~ contami eatm !? o published by the DNR: ~ 1ncreasc ''a" due to hunters taking nated w1th CWO. The companion Col arucle ··Jo,,a Deer Herd Health; ... on Deer and }""all Turkey more doc.., I· or the f1 r<.,t time 'omeho antlcllc.., ... -onl) llccn..,es ,.. ere a' ail able page 21, cxpla1n.., the precaution the to hum 2002 Iowa Deer and Fall 1n e'er) count) a ... well a ... m pectal D R ha.., taken to keep CWD out of an'\\er Turkey Hullling Regulation.\ '?0 hunt.., 111 ut ban and park areas. Thi Jo,,a and rea..,onablc precaution deer ofn~k and License Instructions allo\\Cd hunter" 111 most sea on to hunt hunter.., ... hould take ''hen field dress dhea\e I or a troph) buck '' Hh thetr state\\ 1de mg and butchenng the1r deer. than CV Waterfowl~ Pheasants, Quail, llunters need to keep m mind Partridge and Grouse license and still help control the deer \lore th herd b) tagg1 ng an antlerle deer v.. ith that CWO has not been found in l:.S. fro 2002 Uplcmd Game. Trapping free-1 angmg '' hne tailed deer in the bactena and Water.fmrl Regulations a ... econd llcen\e. There 1s ltule to sa) about the Mtdwest e\ccpt for \Outh-central \\e con, Wiscons1n. A hunter\ chance of Other General Hunting and upcom1 ng o.,eason. except that it wi 11 precauti offer more or the same. All statewide shoot1ng a CWD-tnfectcd animal in Trapping Regulations anicle ~ deer license~ will be valid for any deer. Towa is extreme)) small C\ en if per, on 2002 Hunting, Fishing and An t lerJco.,~ - only !Jcen~es will again be CWO existed here. and there is no their e Trapping Regulations oiTercd 111 every county and on 19 evidence that 1t doeo., risk di, o.,pccial hunt!-.. Antlerless-only license Based on the best sctentific These booklets are available to keep quota\ have been reduced slight!) in a e' idencc a' ai lable, there 1~ no known at all license agents. from DNR 'Ucce~, fe\\ count1e.., 1n northern Jov. a v. here link between human" eatmg elk or offices or on the DNR's website all) d.e deer arc most 'ulncrable to hunting. but 'em son and contractmg C\VD. at wwlr.state. ia.us/wildl{f'e/ ~ thC) ha' c been mcreased in elected CWD has been present tn part\ of Tel1"\ I counlleo., 111 southea~t IO\\ a "here the northeast Colorado and southv..est rearch herd seem.., to he increao.,mg slightl). Wyom1ng for -+0 )earo.,. During that mem 111 1cen,t time hunters have shot and consumed ume, thousands of deer and elk taken there. •Old. In spite ofintensi\e ime tigation by the an be U.S. Centers for Dt ~ease Control and True Accessories of the the World Health OrganiLation, no one nse 1s has been found to contract CWO from li consuming these animals. In fact, mav change, and there is no evidence that anyone has :h must contracted or died from CWO any where. but our service The Humans, heep, cattle and felines the have there own ver ion of CWD that n\ sten occurs \ery rarely among them. One will never be 'en v1 in one million humans contract a similar ) in the disease called Creutzfeld-Jacob \\'D Oisea e (CJD). but the cause of these out of m extremely rare cases has never been disCO\· related to exposure to, or from con- [1 uming, deer or elk infected with Jt there CWO. Scrapie, the form found in stvle! el\ sheep, has been pre ent in the U.S. for neone 60 years wi thout any evidence that humans have contracted the disease by ontami· eating or hand ling multon. lion Could or will CWD eventually hv.'· on somehow mutate and become infective • lOS the to humans? No one can possibly out of answer that question. Life is a series Ill' deer of ri h. Humans die every day from drew di sea es that are far more common than CWO or its human counterpart. nind More than 60 people a year die in the jjn U.S. fro m E. coli poison ing, a common r in the bacteria that can infect any meat that ntral we consume. For me, following the :e of precautions listed in the companion mal in article seems to be all that a reasonable person would have to do to minimize if is no their exposure to thi s extremely low Th e Top Line Fo r Your Truck risk disease. Hopefull y, DNR efforts to keep the di ease out of Iowa wi II be Clift's Manufacturing Outlet successfu I and the concern wi II eventu 3117 E. 14th St., Des Moines, lA 50316 ally die away. DUCKS 1-800-272-2750 • 515-265-4467 UNLIMITED ell ffsmanu@prodigy. net Terry \V. Lillie 1s the wildlife re trb ol Fort Dodge Hitc h Service Rice Trailer Co. search .wpen·iwr for the depart ,,, e't 2472 La•nson Ave (4 m• S on 169) North 7th Street • Demson lA 51442 Fort Dodge Iowa 50501 Bus.: (712) 263·5824 • Fax: (712) 263·5949 ment 111 De.\ Mcnne.\. 02 thl: (515) 972-4747 Res.: (712) 263·4278 • E-ma1l: rtraller~'plonetnet v The Story Behind "Big Timber Bucks"' An) one v. ho apprectate.., the \\Ork of Lan) Lach knO\\..., hi" patnting~. a mett cu lou ~ l) detailed and tmprc ... - ..,t\C a.., thC) are. come \\ith an tnteresttng ..,LOt). l .1c h ·..., late..,t print. "Big Timber Bucb:' t.., no diffcr enl. The pnnt features three ttnpressi\e buck" thar ll\cd in the thick ttmber of ~ou theast Iowa. all \\ ithin a couple miles or each other. The undertone of the painting. however. IS a.., much about famil) a-. it i~ the animal .... Al l three bucks were harvc..,tccl by Zach and hi s tv..o chi ldren. On the morning ofNm. 5. 1999. Zach'" 17-ycat-old '>011 Chn..., han e..,ted a doe from a tre e..,tand O\lerlookmg a Photos by Roger A. Hill elm cr fi eld on the famtl) ·..., ... outhca..,t hm a farm. BOW,NON-TYPICAL I:' cntn!!... found the \lintmum Qual if) ing Scor~ - 155 pl., I athct-..,on team in <. ount) Total the ... arne tree. \a me C it) I a ken \core \ear Chn.., tt) tng to fill R1d.. l D)' I.... no-.' die \\ .urcn 240 2 8 2000 ht.., ..,tate\\. tde bov. Jcm l \\ell.., Alloona :I.J ,nll..,on 2'27 J/8 2001 Dann) Capper Alh..,on Autlc1 2 I I 2001 tag and Larr) Rod \\a.. ~. hi-at \\ ate rloo 'l,1111a 20 I 'i, 8 2001 '\onh En.,h-.h Ill\\ a 20 I 1.'b 2001 'tdeotapt ng. A doc Jerr) Foubert "' \dam \\ Anelm Dubu4ue I)UhU4Ue 19'i 2001 entered the field - ~ I om Be II Lo'' den Cedar 192 7/8 2000· 1 follov,. ed by a 5 'z Robert S Me Co) O-.teol<~ Clarke 191 6/8 2001 year-old buck. A Brent Th1c l\lar,h.dltlm n \ppanom.c 191 3/8 2001 Da' e l\1c-..,ner Mar)'ille, i\10 Page 190 1/8 2001 25-yard broadside \Jail 01-land 1\.elle) \tor~ 188 2/8 2000 shot ended the l\ Ill: hac I E. Hall RunneiJ.., Pol 1-. IH8 2001 hunt. Ben Patmer R)an ( Ia) I on I R7 1/8 2001 Dcnn•-, Bocdmn Spnng' ilk D~.: lim arc 184 4/8 2000 On Oct. 18. R1c hard Peter,on"' OliUill\\a \\ apcllo IS 1 4/8 1997 2001 :woo. Larry fou nd Gre~ \kWilllam' Homc-.tead .la,per 18' 4/8 DaiJ,,, Center Dalla' I S2 ~ /8 ::!000 him..,cll in the ... arne Brad For''• Lh Oan Ea-.tman \lar-.haiii!J\\ n \I,Ir-.hall 179 5·8 2001 tree. tht s ume \\Jth hi" l..f-)ear-old daughter. 1\pnl. It \\.a.., D.:nni.., D Somer... \\ebb ( l,l\ 17!) J,s 2001 one of on!) tv.o e' enings the pair'' ould be able to hunt D•" e Fre1hage Pl .. "dh llarn,on 175 4.1S 2001 "' 17~ -l/8 200 1 during the earl} muZLleloader <;ea..,on. Ju ..,t attcr ... un...,et. a !.... ~.n i\liller Cedar R.1p1d' l.lllll Jtrr) I- ouhen l\orth Engli..,h len\ a 175 2JS 1999 large nonr) pi cal entered the elmer fie ld. After "c' era\ Ltrf) L Kellar Poll- Cit) Polk li' 5/8 2001 \amr 2001 ten\e mtnutes v.. ai ting for the right angle, Apnl han c.., ted Herht:rt \lorlc) Elkader (l,t\lOll 1n 5,b Rud~ \1 \1•1-e -\ugu ... un \101) 172 ~IS 2001 leonard her flr\t buck. v..h ich netted a 161 ..f/8 score. ~ D1rl- l\lctc.alt \ Denote~ a ne\\ entr) into the All-Time Top 10 R :1 ck~ (page 20) 200 200' 200 !Oil !Oil 2000 !00 !Oil & 2· County Total ~a rn e C i t) Taken Scor e Year Rud> \ 1organ Pnnceton Cltnton 167 1/8 2001 Leonard Gnmes Pella Manon 166 4/8 2000 Rick Stamon S1blcy Harrison 16-t 6/8 :woo John K Boden Non, all- Union 164 5/8 2001 Brandon Black Wa,h1ngton Jefferson 164 3/8 2001 Ed Ultck1 Leh1gh Web~ter 164 2/8 2001 Shannon F McGowan West Point Van Buren 163 6/8 1991 PISTOL, NON-TYPICAL Kelly Mulvihill Sloan Monona 161 6/8 2001 Minimum Qualifying Score- 170 pts Scott Howarth C reston Union 161 5/8 2001 2001 Myron Van Gmkcl Rock Valley Sioux 161 5/8 2000 ~8 Count y Total 1998 R1ck Wilberding Waterloo Black Hawk I 61 1999 Na m e C ity Taken Store Year !OOI M1chael Couch Cummmgs Warren 159 5/8 200 1 Y8 · Dav1d A A mold Des Mo10es Mahaska 178 7/8 :woo IS 1Q00 IQ 9~ ~~ 200 PISTOL, TYPICAL ,, ~ MUZZLELOADER, NON-TYPICAL :uo ~ Minimum Qualifying Score- 150 pts 21)0 Minimum Qualifying Score- 170 pt ~. ~·~ , Don \V a1ker Burlington Des l\1 omes 167 4/8 1998 - TJ Count) I nl al "-t a m ~ C it ) I a k ~ n ~ t· o r~ ' ~ ar Blamt• Da' '' \\ aq:rf) Bremer 179 1/X 2000 '\,ill \llll'' "-eol- ui- l.ee 176 4/X :!OOI Jod \ 'h Ann ·\ rhor Ml \ pp.t110U'L' 17' 7/X 2001 Hcnme I knn1' 1\t ar,hal\to\\ n t-. 1ar, hall I 6X 7/X 2001 II. ltd1ad I aah' l amatt<~ Gur hnt I 6X 2002 I odu Pennoti. E I\ tot Pott a\\ all.tlllll' 160 MX 200 1 D.t\l' \\ e'tphal Decorah W 1 nnc,lm:l- I 60 'i/X 19X9 Jnn l.tnd,c\ t-. 1ora\ lil A ppa IHHl'C I 60 1/X 200 1 Kc' 111 Neal l\1ar)" ilk T.t) l o r l'iiJ 1/X 2002 lk r me "idlnt'ldet DonncJI,on l t•c I 'i7 6/X 200 1 Ta)l'ttc l 'i7 2001 ltnh>lh) \ "'u" ht) ellc Ia Kc\111 l ipton l\f) 'IlL \ ppanou't l'i6 7/X 2000 lhm,ud Crou'c Paullina OBncn \56 'i/X 2000 Hohht Bote Counl.tl Blull' Polt,l\\.ttWmie 154 7/X 2000 \hcn\llod Lundgren \lar,hallto\\ n \1,n,hall 154 7/X 2000 Rttl. Rou'e 1tpton Ccd.n 154 5/X 2001 fohn Hohn,tem Cedar Rapt<.h l tnn 154 2001 M i h \ rnl'..tron g Atlanlll. C Wh ·.. ~ America S~ '_.) ~ SHOT r u r mort' th.. tn kU '' ·"'· ' porl\n1.1n h .t\ ' rdh:d \hmmu u n ttu- f o.ll t th.lt "'lH.·n 1t tHJIH:\ tu d,,., hunlen)( '\01 ttl'<• hth h.>rthr 1h,u1 '"'"'' nm uf \ M('f"i t.t \ OlU \l fl'lUlotllllt\1 hr.tnd" u t ~•n1H\UtHUun \ arne Doo)a, Roo FIJO \1 • \\ ~~ Blhc~ ~,.,.~ Super-X Sll.,ortlp• iii1101 ConC•rllre R l n o An.,nunlclon i-.ell~ H S tlv.rttp l••tunu • •,.,.c._.t •IIO'Y lanue Ke •'ummwn C•P th•t prot.ct• th• J••d core •nd •llow• lor d••P lame-. s Super-x• Po-or-Point• p.,..-tr•tlon u.,,.,.,.,rl Cencerllre RIRe Atnrnunltlon controll•d •A~n•lon ~dam J P ow•r-Polru·• t.mlqv• -.t>fr no•H J.c«•r•d bull•t d•tff)n a.n.,.,.. m•• mwm enerv.,- on John E ~ ••'fl•r Sp.clal notch•• .round ~dc.•t mouth lntpt FourTrax foret'rm•Rulllcon rt liUI •tdrl f~h 11.,1' lj u 4~ The Honda FourTrax Rancher 4x4 ES makes work easier. Awarded "2001 Model of the Year by ATV Magazine", It comes w1th standard features ltke four-wheel dnve and the Honda RlurTrax Foreman Rubicoo IS a 600-pound Honda's exdusiVe ElectriC Shift Program - ~ (ESP") 499cc wor1 honda.com SHOTGUN, NON-TYPICAL SHOTGUN, TYPICAL Minimum Qualifying Score- I 70 pl~. Minimum Qualifying Score- 150 pts. Co un t~ T ota l Count) Tota l Na m e Cit ) T aken Scor e \ car "la m e C it) Tal.. cn Scor e Year Dougla' \\ Farrell Fort:'> I C11y Van Buren 21-t 1/8 2001 Dougla" M Eldndgc Seymour Wayne 190 7/8 2000 Rod 1-ranJ.. Ri' er.. ide \\ a-.hington 202 -t/8 2001 Charlc'> Calla\\.!) Waterloo Guthne 183 5/8 2001 Matt Wll,on De<. Mome' Warren 202 :1'8 2001 Le<> Bateman Cedar Rapids Monroe 182 7/8 2001 Je-,,e Rebling Bnghton Jefferson 198 200 1 Ben Rermers Muscat me Lour sa 177 1/8 1999 Bill Clarl.. Ex I me Appanoose 197 5/8 200 1 Jason Sandrter Ottumwa Wapello 175 4/8 2000 Joe Busch Boone Boone 195 4/8 200 1 Richard Gaunitt Lansing Allamakee 173 7/8 1989 Kelly Hen .. on Mrssoun Valley Harri <>on 195 3/8 1991 Craig Fulton Lockridge Jeflcr~;on 173 3/8 2000 Jamre Keller Chariton Lucas 195 2000 Brent Hutehing' Estherville Warren 173 2/8 2001 James Smtth Ne" Sharon Maha:,ka 194 7/8 :woo Rtchard Johthon Lovilta Manon 172 -t/8 2000 Adam Ja1..bon Bedford Ta) lor 19~ 6/8 2000 Gerald R Peters Marion l inn 171 6/8 2001 John f Danner Jr .Mar.. halltO\\n Mar'>hall 192 5/8 2000 Justm Co\ Corydon Wa)ne 171 4/8 1999 Lero) Rummelhart Coral\ tile \\ ashing10n 190 -t/8 2001 Tiffan) DecJ..cr Sigourne) Kcol..ul.. 170 6/8 2000 Dan Ehlert Ona\\a Harnson 190 1/8 2000 Joe Lo\c Reddmg Rrno<>oldQQ 170 4/8 ::!001 John G Hayes Belle Plame Cia) ton 187 2000 Dennis Chmtopher\Otl Cedar Rap1ds Wtnncshtck. 170 2/8 2000 Stc\ en L 1:n\ m Ouumw,t Wapello 187 2001 Gary W Antrnson Den\ er Allamal..ee 170 118 2000 Derd Herar Pre<.ton Chnton 185 7/8 2000 Charles Morgan Des Mome:. Decatur 170 2000 Cn11g bggert Decorah Winneshiek 185 2001 Rick Gerstenkorn Waterloo Benton 168 -t/8 200 1 Tim Folken Spnngv rile Lrnn 18-t 4/8 2000 Mike Terpstra New Sharon Marion 168 3/8 2001 Gaf) Puis Jewell Boone 18-t 1989 Rex Marl..er Woodburn ClarJ..e 168 1/8 1999 Jason ~ \lorton Des Momes Dallas 183 6/8 2000 Jon J Latham Oclwem Hut ·hanan 168 1999 Kert) Scharl MechatHC'>\ tile Jones 181 1/8 2001 Dan Obcrloell Dubuque Jaci..'>Oll 167 6/8 2001 Jod) D) 1.. stra Boone Boone I !D 2000 Ste\e A Glover Knox\ llle \1 onroe 167 2/8 2001 Bob Dantcls Des Momes Clarke 182 7/8 2000 Brent Blal..el) Rtch1and Keol..uJ.. 167 118 2001 l\1 i J..e Bennett Bu-.~e) Manon 182 6/8 2000 Shane Haroldson Waul..ee \\ a1 rcn 166 7/8 2001 L arr) Damels Newton Wa)ne 181 1/8 2000 Robert 1-lerdl!t·l..,t Cedar Raptd'> Benton 166 -t/8 2000 :er.cofll fh"J (TliJiTr.t 1• .e ~· urs.~~~ ·!'iflrl tJ-l-t44!'l IO\\ il Cun,tn .I,IOOhl • s.. ~ph:rnh.:rt(A:.:tobc.:r 1:tXl2 19 SIIOTGUN, TYPICAL SHOTGUN, NON-TYPICAL Count) 'I otal Count ) Total 'lame C i I ) Taken \ Ctl I' Score Nam e C i I ) I uken \car Score Harold D1ckman. Sr Woodbme Harrison 1964 200 2/8 Larry Raveling Emmetsburg Clay 1973 282 M1chael A Hmzman Guttenburg Clayton 2000 200 Lyle Sp1tznoggle Wapello Lou1sa 1982 258 2/8 Wayne A BillS Des M01nes Hamilton 1974 199 5/8 Dav1d Mandersheid Welton Jackson 1977 256 7/8 Dean Wetzel Guthne Center Guthne 1998 199 3/8 Carroll Johnson Moorhead Monona 1968 256 2/8 Kenneth Tilford La mom Decatur 1985 198 1/8 Larry J Caldwell Des Moines Warren 1990 248 6/8 M1chael A Edle Danville Des Moines 1989 196 4/8 Don Boucher Albian Marshall 1961 245 3/8 George L Ross Ottumwa Wapello 1969 195 1 ·8 Carl Wenke Cedar Rapids Lee 1972 245 Forest N Richardson New V1rg1n1a Warren 1989 194 3·8 Robert Wonderhch Oskaloosa Monroe 1970 244 6/8 W Eugene Zleglowsky Washington Van Buren 1997 192 7 8 Donny Grant Tunn Monona 1996 240 as deer John Chase Glenwood MillS 1997 192 2/8 Tony Beck MilO Warren 2000 236 hou~h AI Ml'ZZLELOADER TYPICAL MUZZLELOADER. NON-TYPICAL Count) I ota I Count) Total men ted a me ci t ) T aken \ ca r ~l'orc ~a me C i I ) Taken \ car Sco re di~CO\ Clarinda Taylor 2000 214 3/8 Jerry W Conover Sioux C1ty Monona 1990 182 7/8 Richard Muff ing 'i'\e ' Bia1ne Dav1s Waverly Bremer 2000 179 1/8 Mike Moody Hamburg Fremont 1990 210 2/8 Ron Murray Missouri Valley Hamson 1998 179 1/8 Alan Funk Scotch Grove Van Buren 2000 209 5/8 In Wi Clark Corbm Mmneota Crawford 2000 178 3/8 Vincent P. Jauron Harlan Monona 1990 209 1/8 'Nate Ames Keokuk Lee 2001 176 4/8 Daniel Kauffman Wapello Lou1sa 1984 205 3/8 ·Joel Ash Ann Arbor, Ml Appanoose 2001 173 7/8 Jeff Tussey Creston Un1on 1995 205 John Russell Blue Grass Muscat me 1997 172 4/8 'Travis Baker Boone Boone 2000 203 4/8 \\ere d1 Clarinda Page 1998 202 5/8 RIC Bishop Eldndge Keokuk 1997 172 1/8 Jeremy Williams the~ll JohnS Cook Maquoketa Jones 1997 170 6/8 Denny Baum Ottumwa Wapello 1990 202 1/8 1996 200 6/8 re!!lon Bruce L Hupke Carlisle Warren 1994 170 3/8 Mike Garber Eldon Wapello ~ beenp :h PISTOL, TYPICAL PISTOL, NON-TYPICAL thi~ ~e Count) I otal ( ount) Total becom core '\a me Cit} Tak en \car Sl·or c 'lame C it) I a h. en \ ear 211 5/8 D~R,\ Wilham H Fahrenkrog Davenport Scott 1998 171 4/8 Bob C Garside Greenfield Adair 1998 'Don Walker Burlington Des Mo1nes 1998 167 4/8 B1ll Fahrenkrog Davenport Scott 2000 206 3/8 under 178 7/8 Dave Hotz Cedar Rap1ds Louisa 1998 161 'Dav1d A Arnold Des Momes Mahaska 2000 appea 2000 159 4/8 J1m C. DeFosse Med1apolis Des Mo1nes 1999 170 2/8 Kendal Pommer Otho Webster areas Darle Meyers Lehigh Webster 2000 157 3/8 I BOW, TYPICAL BOW, NON-TYPICAL County Total Coun t y Total fa ken Year Score Name City Taken Yea r SCOI'C Name City •o Allamakee 2000 240 4/8 Lloyd Goad Knoxville Monroe 1962 197 6/8 Dave Gordon Waukon Warren 2000 240 2/8 p Robert Miller Wyommg Jones 1977 194 2/8 'Rick L Dye Knoxville 2000 237 3/8 Steven E Tyer North Liberty Johnson 1994 194 Larry V Zach Ankeny Monroe . 11 Dallas 1994 236 7/8 Roy Allison Knoxv1lle Monroe 1995 193 5/8 Russ Clarken Desoto Mad1son 1993 229 5/8 ti Jeffery L Whisker Clinton Scott 1993 191 Mike Hobart Prole Polk 1995 229 4/8 R1chard B Sw1n Des Moines Polk 1981 190 5/8 Terry M. Long Des Mo1nes Madison 2001 227 3/8 Alan Bloodgood Prole Warren 2000 190 1/8 •Jerry L Wells Altoona · ~ Decatur 1995 227 Randy Petersburg Waukon Allamakee 1996 189 1/8 Jack Schuler Jr Indianola Cerro Gordo 1977 222 1/8 Kev1n Peterson Med1apolis Des Momes 1989 188 1/8 Jerry M. Monson Clear Lake Jefferson 2000 221 7/8 Dave Z1ma Bla1r Monona 1996 186 4/8 Jared L Rebling Lockridge . ~ oven·eact to the threat of outbreaks bordering the Upper Mississippi river. here. Wildlife ofticials continue to Deer can swim, and that region i~ Iowa Deer emphasize the fact that ~tatewide closest to the Wisconsin outbreak." monitoring efforts are keeping the Beginning Oct. 16. the DNR will DNR. and Iowa's public, ahead of the also be examining every deer that Herd curve on this potentially serious issue. dies of natural causes or ts harvested "During the spring and early by hunters on Iowa game farms or summer, our biologists examined a shooting preserves. Hunters bringing total of 227 road killed deer for signs in deer from other states can only Healthy of CWD," said Dale Garner, the transport boned-out meat, hides, and wildlife biologist who is coordinating Total Article and photo by antlers. In January, the DNR will Score efforts between the DNR and the resume examining road killed deer 282 Lowell Washburn U.S. Department of Agriculture. "A from across the state. 258 218 256 718 As recently as a few months ago, total of 150 of those deer were "This is an imp01tant issue and 256 2/8 most Iowans had never heard of chronic submitted for laboratory testing, and all we're currently doing everything that 248 6'1! proved negative for 245:18 wasting disease (CWD). Today, the 245 highly contagious, always fatal disease CWD." 24461! During this fall that attacks hoofed game species such • 240 and winter. as many 236 as deer and elk - has become a household term. as 3,500 additional Although it has not been docu whitetails may Total mented in Iowa, CWD has been receive testing. Score discovered in seven other states, includ The DNR currently 214 311! holds a contract 210 Z,1l ing Nebraska, Wisconsin and Minnesota. 209 518 In Wisconsin, efforts are underway to with the USDA that 209 j,1j eradicate deer in the area where the allows the Depart 205 318 ment - free of 205 outbreak occurred. Deer enthusiasts 203 418 were disheartened when officials said charge - to submit 202 5'8 the kill might reach 25,000. In other up to l ,000 deer for 202118 testing. The DNR 200 &1l regions, elk restoration programs have been put on hold or scrapped entirely. could spend up to DNA staff have collected 227 roadkilled deer this As Iowa hunters move closer to $30,000 for the year, 150 of which have been tested for CWD. this year's deer seasons, CWD has remaining lab work Total become THE topic. And although if the 2,000 deer goal is reached. is humanly possible to stay ahead of Score DNR wildlife biologists are abo "Although we' II be focusing on the curve," said Garner. 211 5~ 206 3<8 understandably concerned over the hunter-harvested deer from across the ·'What everyone needs to realize 178 718 appearance of the disease in other entire state, we hope to collect some is that CWD is completely fatal to 170 Z,S areas, they caution hunters not to of our largest samples from counties white-tailed deer and that deer represent a $100 million industry in CWD FACTS Iowa. That's not just license fees I received by the DNR - it's also Total + CWD is hi ghly contagious and always fatal to deer. It is spread by Score motels, gas stations, equipment and prions whi ch essential ly turn good proteins into bad proteins. 240 418 restaurants. It's a huge resource that 240 218 + There is no evidence that CWD can be transmitted from deer to domes 237 318 has an extremely important economic 236 7t8 tic livestock. and recreational impact on a lot of 229 518 + The World Health Organization has found no evidence that CWD can 229~8 Iowans. We're doing everything we 227~ be transmitted from deer to humans. But they also recommend not can to safeguard that resource." 227 eating veni son from any deer known to have been infected. z2218 -~ Hunters are ad v i ~e d to wear rubber gloves when field dressing or 221': + Lowell Washbum is an information processing deer. Av oiding spinal column tissue, brain '> or lymph nodes specialist with the departmelll in are common ~e n s e mea~ ures. Clear Lake. Each autun1n, legion. of ~ out h ho u nd woodcock invade the . ecluded land cape. of extreme n or th ea~ t Iowa. Migrations are brief. The v i ~ i t may last hours or, at best, a few days. For tho e who , cek the intriguing timberdoodle, the annual pa age triggers an irresistible urge to seek the soli tude of Iowa 's forgotten places . • Article and photos hy Lowell Wa hburn T lll:'J AMERICAN WOOD pa in ti ng or 1s it the other way COCK i-, the oddest hi rd you ' II e\ er around? No mauer. The poi nt i-, hu nt. It '"' al-,o one of the mo\t Maa-,-, ha-, 1t pegged. In addi ti on to endearing. detailed por1rart\ of grouse and One of the thin g~ that m a k e~ \\Oodcock. hi s compl eted work also '-' '' oodcock hunu ng so enjoyable is the port ra) a nch m1x of birch. aspen and spcc1es choose\ to inh abn orne of cedar. When ) ou tromp the wco d the most colorful and quietly intriguing land" for )' oursel r. ) ou ' II d i ~co\ er that land..,cape"> that the autu mn wood ~u c h areas ~come~ If you're looking for smart, I'd recommend matching wits with things hbill An American woodcock takes a break from migration. Often referred to f telltale like 12-year-old Canada geese or late as "timberdoodle," the American woodcock is a fairly common, though season, l ong-~p urred rooster pheas rat bi rd~ rarely seen, migratory upland shorebird. Breeding populations reach ants. These creature~ can spot and their greatest densities in the wooded swamp lands and alder thickets of ;UR avoid an ambu sh before most hunters New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario, Canada. even have a chance to set one up. nte r~ of the By comparison, most woodcock Woodcock migrate by night, and are noted for their sudden, though brief, - especially new ly arrived migrants appearances in traditional coverts. In the New England states, - are tame and tru c; ting. Bedecked woodcock hunting is a time-honored tradition - much like pheasant t cun· in co;ome of the most beautifully hunting in the Midwest. The woodcock's large eyes are placed far back ~ n \\ill). on the head, giving the bird a 360-degree perspective on the world, even oubtful effecti\e camo' to be fou nd any where in the bird worl d. the timber- while probing for its favorite food - earthworms. t time' a dom.lle '" far more preoccupted \\ tth , t[U311 blendmg tn than Jt i-, v. ith rhinl--tng hilario thing:-. out. E'en tfa bird is e\entu conceli all y dio..,co\ered. it may o..,teadfa\tl) mome1 decline to abandon its ruse. On at Super leao.; t two occa..,ions, I' ve encountered ,I bird'> that \ till pretended to be invisible t he~e e'en after I had lain down and practt call ) o..,hO\ ed a camera leno.., into thctr race\. I '\U\pect that lllO\t or U\ ment "ould be greatly \Urpri..,ed tf we m\CO 1--ne\\ hov. man) 'doodle-, \\ e had colon. ne 24 lu\\ J C on,.. ·r\ .ttHHH\l • Scph.!m~r/Odnh1:r .:!002 times at point blank range. The explored a lot of va ll ey~- mainly story. A variety of small birds situation was made even more amidst the ~ runnin g forestlands of foraged nearby. I heard, but didn't hilarious due to an offhanded remark Clayton, Allamakee and Chickasaw see, a boisterous nock of jays. There concerning "sky slugs" voiced counti es. Then, as now. I missed were no sounds other than those of moments before we encountered the more birds than T hit. But for some the woods. Super Doodle. unexplained reason, the shooting "1 just don't get it, I never miss never seemed to matter - I simply these things." wailed the indignant went on to the next spot. expert. Then. one fine October morning, I wa~ about to fire off a com it struck me like a bolt from the blue. ment of my own when I noticed that Temperatures were warming, and I An English setter "locks on" to a hiding woodcock. When danger m) compa ni o n '~ face was turning had just paused to cat a sa ndwich approaches, the woodcock would color-; fa-;ter than a chameleon. and rest the dog. Sitting atop a good rather hide than fly - relying on There's a tune to remain si lent, and I sized deadfalL 1 low!) sun eyed my its cryptic coloration to escape decided that this was one of them. UlTOUndings. detection. The birds do give off a It was one of tho. e Maass THERE WERE A COUPLE strong scent, however, and are OF YEARS during the mid-1970s scenes again. Along the steep readily detected by pointing dogs. when I became nearly obsessed with sidehill, clu mps of slender white Although "point blank" flushes are thoughts of woodcock and , of barked birch reached for the sky easily obtained, the woodcock's course, woodcock hunting. I contrasting sharply wi th a brilliant high speed, weaving flight pattern climbed a lot of new ridges and backdrop of red and orange under- makes it difficult to bag. the ru tl bad at 01 with !the onicall) · an ··off ~The la't Prime woodcock covert in Winneshiek County - thick cover, plenty of earthworms. That·..,'' hen It hit me It ,,a..,n't reall) the '' omkock I "ought at all. It ''a" the ... otnude. In "harp contra"t to phea\ ant. \\aterfO\\ I or deer hunttng I had }et to encounter \O much a'> a ~ingle per'>on while pur'>Uing Iowa woodcock. Solitude wa'> the real numoo trophy. Woodcock \\-ere JUSt the bc'-.t excu..,e to be there. 8 UT. OF COURSE. 10T ALL WOOD COCK arc found in <.,uch clas'-.IC, woodland '-.et north tin g..... Regardless of crop!~ which lo\\-a county you ~~ ~ ma] hunt. an odd bird or phea,a. two can unexpectedly open o e1 upt from ~uch unlikely dismal habitat~ a~ a ~tanding great ~ cornfield or overgrown trouble pac.,ture. ho\\e\ One of Iowa·.., mo~t nurnbe But ac., the nocturnal migrant" dramatic incidents of misplaced range. The eartlnvorm~ called it quits tered. began the1r forced JOurne). the} woodcock occurred in the fall of and went underground. Consequent!). A0 encountered a .... enc-. of complicated 2000. The season had been mild. but local woodcock populations from o%~n and adver..,e \\Cather condiuon..... Fo~.~ dunng the week of Oct. 24. the Wl..,cOn\111 to the far reaches of Quebec 'eemo hea') ramfall and naggmg cro""'' ind.., ::, weather turned downright chilly and Ontano dec1ded to pack their O\\ n the\\~ ''ere the apparent rc,1..,ons that large aero"" the woodcock· s northern bagc., and head '-.Outh. actuan, Passion for woodcock and woodcock hunting is not limited to North America. Woodcock appear prominently in European art, a tradition which continues to this day as portrayed by this Model 687 EE LL Diamond Pigeon Sporting Grade Beretta (left). This engraving was done by Italy's leading engraver, Cesare Giovanelli. Photo courtesy of Beretta Firearms. grass, II more woodcock were flushed. We onl y managed to flu sh four roosters from the sa me cover. numbers of woodcock ended up far roosters. But although woodcock The next day. we hunted a to the west of traditional stopovers. were legal game, many hunter-. fail ed mixture of cattail s and will ow slough On the ni ghts of Oct. 26 and 27, to bag a single bird. Co mmon located south of Clear Lake. For thousand () - perhaps tens of thou excuses included, "I didn ' t rea liLe every pheasant we encountered, sand - of weather-weary timber what they were until it wa~ too late" seven woodcock were flushed. doodles arrived in northern Iowa. not or "I was so surprised to see one that But northern Iowa· s woodcock. the hea\ily 'hooded counti es of the I forgot to shoot." Of cour e. many invasion was not limited to rural northea5t. but rather the fl at. open folks did manage to bag a bird or two. habitats. At a local cafe. 1 bumped croplands of north-central Iowa. On Cerro Gordo County's Walsh into Roger Becker who told me he'd It just so happened that the Wildlife Area. for example. a visiting seen a woodcock in hi s Clear Lake pheasant season was scheduled to Minnesota hunter bagged two wood (residential) backyard . In Hancock open on Saturday, Oct. 28. The cock but onl y one phca~a nt. County, Garner's Penn y Pederson did di smal weather didn' t make for a SOME FRIENDS and 1 kicked even better by spotting a pair of the great opener, and most hunters had off the pheasant opener by hunting birds in her backyard . She almost trouble finding roosters. They were, the Ed Kotz farm ncar Swaledale in pulled off a close range photo before however, downright amazed at the Cerro Gordo County. The very first the birds took wing. ln their haste to number of woodcock they encoun bird I flushed was a timberdoodl e. depart, one of the woodcock crashed tered. Although the bird erupted at close into the side of her house. Pederson According to area conservation range, I never got off a shot. Li ke almost picked the bird up before the e\• office r-.. nearl y all parties reported many hunters. "1 was too surprised to stunned 'doodle came to and took off 11Jcated Fo~. shoot." for good. ~ . seeing at least some woodcock during ,~\\ 10d' the weekend opener. Several groups As we continued through a thick Like I said. woodcock are fas r t large actuall y ..,aw more woodcock than mix of brush, willows and canary but not necessaril} bnlliant. Halts Habitat Loss on the Mississippi by Gene Jones anc.,wer uc.,ualh 1m oh e-.. ..,orne k.ind of One of the moc.,t common quec., J l)pe tionc., utten:u around a boat ramp 1<;, habnat one o F1c.,h almoc.,t al\<\a)" relate to "Ho""' ·.., the f1\h1ng ')" It mak.e\ me a h1~t ~ chl ck.le. hccauc.,e I know the ensuing structure. ""'hethcr 1l I\ rock. vegeta la~r c( qu stions. "What arc you using for tion or \vood. Structure pro' ide a tried t bait'?" and Of COUI'\C my favorite, potential rood source. co,er from and d. here arc you catching them?" predators or a break in the cu1Tent. (\\ Jnn .::. Equally amuc.,ing arc there- The firc.,t thing to do '"hen fi\hing a to pro sp no..,ec.,. ec.,pecwlly from those new area. 1f you ha,cn't been clued area, qui cke1 at \\II. " In the ri,er:· or 111 b) fnend.., or the batt \hop. 1 look for the nght cond1t1on..,: rock.y shore. ''a~ tl better yet. ··tn the comer of the mamt mouth.'' arc the more common. But rna) be a \\eedllnc. or a b1g \nag that •,Jon.• for tho..,e '' 1th the George Wa hmg prO\ 1de.., the perfect cun·ent break In ton mental It). or '"ho at refuse to each ca..,e. habitat I \ the ke). even fudge the truth a lillie. the The Ml">"il">"i1pp1 Rn er offers all 2H hl\\.1 ( on\CIVattHifll\1 • '\.,.pt-: m hcrfOt...h~~..:r 20().! The Mississippi River is one of the world's largest rivers and is an important and extremely diverse natural resource . • 0 0 ~ 0: -,...L. kind ot types of habitat and structure. It i Through the MR one of the world large l rivers, with FISH project, area to a highly diver e eco~ys tem . Over the anglers are involved in saving and ,,eoeta- c last century and a half, humans have enhancing de~ a tried to "tame" the river with locks ·om and dams, smaller diverting dams Mississippi River habitat. Workers 1rrent. (wi ng dams and closing dams), levees prepare to drive an ling a to protect both urban and agricultural anchor to hold the clued areas, and dredging. The purpose 1 tree (above). Close was to stabili L.e the main channel and is look up (left) of the offset maintain a 9-foot depth for naviga shore. anchor. lag that tion. Jreak· In Through this process, the Mis is ~ ipp i River has lost the ability to act a~ a "river." We have impeded the rivet·.., abllll} to rnme \ed1rnent and through the Ml\SI\\lpp1 Rl\er Fl5hers change th appearance th rough lmolved 111 Sa\mg Habllat (MR natural \uccc...,...,ton or meandering. H SII ) proJect. The project \\as Anchors are driven with a gas powered jackhammer (below). which t\ hoVv the bratded backwaters created to help \a\e hab1tat, \low or The MR FISH tree anchoring and ~ 1d c channel.., Vvere created. prevent (\horeline) erosion and approach is much more lslamJ.... arc di .... appcaring due to encourage area ang l er~ to get in economical than creating new cros1on much ra..,tcr than nev, ones volved in the proce\s. The MR islands or restructuring shorelines arc bcmg created. We are lo5ing the FI H tree anchonng approach. for with riprap. "nat ural'' di\Cl'\ll) along the main example, ,.., much more economical channel. than creatm g neVv !\lands or restruc L1kev. i e. tunng a shoreltne and placmg riprap. the back- Through a partnership bet\\een v.ater~ are the M 1\SI\\1 pp1 Interstate Coopera becoming tl\ e Re ource A\\OC iatwn (MI 5halloVver CRA). the attonal F1sh and \\ 1th le W1ldllfe Foundation and the l O\\ a dl\er~it). Department of atural R e~ources. anch~ becau e the the MR FISH pro1cct Vv as initiated. for retl rt\erno Sportmg group.., and oth er\ olun thctr ~ longer has teers were call ed upon to help. cable 1 the abilit) to Time and money were donated by a ffiO\e( ~hift and number of club\ and area anglers. Bt clean them Tree.., v.,erc anchored \\ 1th a flat anchot out. anchor that \\a.., de..,1gned '"' 1th the hme ~ De pite amc pnnc1ple.., a"> a duckbill earthen \\ell a ...... ; one h ... ' - the restrain- anchor. When ten\IOn or pullt\ " ing effect applied to the anchor. lt off'-.et!-1 or \\ere I ... ~ 4- of the ttl h. makmg 1t harder to pull our. 'hore • modifica- Moon tions. the The Anchoring Proce, \\ :Ultn Mis\ t\\lppt Rl\ er I\ continually tr} ing The anchonng proce"'"' begms chamt. to change. The ri,er i\ a powerful with \electin ...g a \tte ba..,ed on the Ot system mov1ng large vo lume of presence of tree\ and \horeline cable~ water wllh great force. For example, erosion. A 3/8-inch galvanized cable buo~ l~ bank. The deposit of sediment O\\ or downstream of the root system I along the trunk will help stabilize the bank and keep the tree in place. Ln· R . for nical ~~truc- 1prap. :tween )pera- 11- .0\\a anchored. The tree~ were monitored example of how \tate and federal urce~. agencies and volunteers can work Gene Jones is a natural re.so11rces tiated. fo r retenti on. Some tree~ moved into together for the ~a m e goal, in thi s technician for the department at lun- their re~ tin g ~ pot due to ~ lac k in the case to ~ave and enhance habitat. the fisheries station in Bellel'ue. p. cabl e or rolling of trees, but most tree ed b) a moved less than I 0 feet. glers Better than 80 percent of the a flat anchored tree~ remain in place. Some have survived three major Ooods. a 1 the !arthen well a~ fi,·e other "minor events." On one \ horeline. for example. fiv e tree JS were lo\t due to barge~ pu ~ hing onto ~or ~hore. or mooring as n i\ kno"' n. Jt. Mooring i.., ho\\ barges .. park" whi le ''airing to p a~s through the lock chamber. cOJD~ Other trees were lost to broken the cables. m o~ t likely caused by the te buoyancy or the log and the torque of ·d cable the current. In most of the cases we secured. found the cabl e on the shore broken, a j to an testament to how well the anchors IS hold . hor and Allhough tree anchoring may not round. be the be\l a n ~ wer to ri ver habitat fthe management. it doc.., pro' ides re source manager.., "ith another tool to enhance habnat on the M1 ssissippi . 1004 E. S TH ST., TAMA • 641-484-2201 eaf"· The MR FISH proJeCt i.., also a good www. spoonersports. com ere st be A11icle and photo by . f J r . J r . ~ ..J . r r • Lowell Wa hbum r ~ .l ~ -~.1 1.1 l B 2:.) Ten successful nesting attempts The ongoing attempt to re tore or prh ate ~wan cooperator . by free-fly1ng trumpeter swan peregrine falcon~ and trumpeter Other t a~k ha\C included gather pa1rs produced 42 cygnets 1n S \\ an to their nath e habitats ha ing a nd recording data regarding 2002. B1olog1sts pred1ct cont1nued current!) become one of the mo t telemetr) readings, "an neck growth in 2003. popular and be t-followed '' ildlife collar codes and peregrine leg ban program eHr initiated in the tate ob en at i o n ~. Becau e of their An adult peregrine falcon suNeys of lo,,a. combined commitment, Iowan nm its domain from a Mississippi Both efforts have received have the unique opportunit) to River cliff face (opposite page). exuberant levels of volunteerism, view the e spectacular bird specie enjoyed high media profile and in a "ild envi ronment. have received unprecedented Ncarl) four decades have ... amounts of private sector financial pa ed since the Ia t DDT -ravishe achjq aid. The achie' ement of both peregrine falcon disappeared fron tion recoverie are due largely to the their cliff ledge ne t site near in~ \~ tireless effor·t and elfle dedica Lansing - an e' ent "hich effec optirn tion of volunteer conserva tioni t tive!) marked the eradication of th corn e. '' ho Cie n cd state" ide a fi eld moni pecies in an area reaching from the r tors, peregrine hack ite attendants the l\Ii issippi Rh er to the Atlan You Sharing Iowa's natural .mished fl edgling peregrine.., \NCrc rclea~ed )uck from three si tes (Marquette. Oa\ en . · sa year! )U can beauty srx trme · face port and M u ~catine) along the upper $4 ..,tppi. Mi is ippi. Survivor.., of tho<.,e :and- egnne relea es have now e~tab l i~hed ll be . cr productive terr i torie~ along the t. ummer of Mississippi in Iowa, M in n e~ota and e year~, 77 Wisconsi n. . IZtne l S es the ~ E! 1 . ' --r ( rt}fS ER V ,AT I 0 NTft · "'·~~·· ••'!.•, ·;'"'.~l·~·~~··· •• lC r . ..) gather· arding neck Jeg band The perfect holiday gift. their ,,ans no'' t) to ·d specieS I ne - ·o et· ------· - ...... - • • o.i r --· - o.i ~-ra,ished achieved new, modern-day produc tred front tion records during the 2002 nest ing eason, and biologists are 1ear optimistic that the best is yet to I effec· . n of tht come. The folio" ing i an update of 10 the recoHry's continuing success. JJ from !' I tlaJl• he~ SEND GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS TO: (please enclose $8 for each) Name ------Address ------City & State ------ZIP ------Gift is from ------O New 0 Rcnc\'.·al Name ______Address ------Cit\'. & Sr.ue ------ZIP ------Gift 1s From ------o New 0 Rene\\al Name ------Address ------Cirv & )t1te ZIP ' ------Gift 1s hom ------0 :\ew 0 Rene,,aJ 0 Plea~e enter the gift subscriptiom above at $8 each. 0 Please send rene\\ als for these subscripuons ro me. - Please enter giver information below: Name ------Article and photo by . f _J r . J r r Address ------Lowell Wa. hbum I -~ _l -~ -~ · City &. ~t;lte ------Zl p ------Phone Ten successful nesting attempts The ongoing at 0 Please add mt as a new subscnber by free-flying trumpeter swan peregrine falcons a 0 Plt:ast rene'' ffi} subscription pairs produced 42 cygnets in swan to their nath PINse inrludr 11/tliling lzbel ifpo)sible. ) 2002. Biologists predict cont1n ued currentl} become o growth in 2003. 0 Please send me popular and be t-fo loultl Conserz,•,aionist 2003 Calendar(s) program e' et· initi at $.) each -- m addition ro the calendar rece1\'ed An adult peregnne falcon surveys of Iowa. for each subscription purch.1sed. its domain from a Mississippi Both efforts ha 0 I ha\'t cnc.losed $ River cliff face (opposite page). exuberant levels ol Offi'uxpires December 31, 2002. enjoyed high media have received unp ...... amounts of prh ate ector financial passed ince the last DDT-ra,ishe( achie, aid. The achievements of both peregrine falcon disappeared from lion r recoverie are due largely to the their cliff ledge ne t site near 1n~ ,e tit·eless efforts and selfless dedica Lansing -- an event which effec 0Ptin1 tion of volunteer conservationists tively marked the eradication of th1 come. who served statewide as field moni species in an area reaching from the rt tor , peregrine hack site attendants the ~li sis ippi Rh er to the Atlan- Why is the Iowa Conservationist the perfect gift? You can share Iowa's natural beauty six times a year. lnished fledgl ing peregrines were released )uck from three ~ i t es (Marquette. Oa\'en Just in time for the holiday gift-giving season, you can · face port and Mu ~catinc) along the upper . . purchase a one-year subscription for only $8. A $4 stppt. Mis i sippi. Sun ivors of tho~o,c savings. Give your friends and relatives s1x outstand egnne release have now c~ tabli shcd - ing issues of the Iowa Conservatiomst. A card will be er productive t e rritori c~ along the - sent to each recipient notifying them of your gift. ummer of Mi ssis~ ippi in lowa, Minnesota and - e years, 77 Wisconsin. Oh yes, we have one more reason why our magazine is - the perfect gift ... each gift recipient also receives the - beautiful Iowa Conservationist Calendar- FREE! - That's seven great issues at one low price. - You can order additional calendars fo r $3 each. Ordering is easy: • Fill in the gift subscription information. Addt tional gift orders may be included on a separate sheer. • Fill in your name and address. • Mark whether you are ordering gifts and/or a - new or renewal subscription for yourself. • Mark whether you are ordering additional - calendars. - • Enclose a check or money order, made out to the - Iowa Department of Natural Resources, for the roral amount. (Credit card orders call515-281-3887.) • Mad coday! Please allow etght weeks for subscnptwns to begm and to receive calendars. Calendar quantitzes are ltmtted. - Offer exptres December 31, 2002 •• • t:t b'"" _ _ __ _ .,_... . - ~~-- · -v ... ~ ---·· r. ra rished achieved new, modern-day produc ared front tion records during the 2002 nest ing season, and biologi ts are aear optimistic that the be t i yet to 1 effec· tion or the. come. The following is an update of the reco' ery's continuing uccess. g froJ11 - '. be ~tJ an· ., JJ 0 ~. PERl Pt ne un rN.It tledge T pereg~ are co cliff l1 ~lis'! Q) () lea del c co ft;J. e1 ~ -E ....Q) Q) "0 :::::1 () c o~(/)- "U ~ 0 ;; m 0 mo~O .. (/) - (/)~)>~ ~ c: ....Q) (]1~)> ~ :::::1 (j) OCJ) (/) ~mm m Q) OG)o~ :E ~ - .0 r ~ z Q) ZJJ)>-u ~ r 0. m)>-u~ OJ ~ m 0 m (!) snz=io L"::l:--i "U ~ CJ) > - )> c - -00-, Q) - ~ 0 ~ CJ) . - )> r :;;:;: Ol OJ s:: c - (]1 z -< - 0 )> )> co - (..U ~ :JJ Q) - ~ 0 (/) - 0 c 0 (!) - 0 1 RecO\el) Team - a group of unpaid , -0 '- \ olunteer peregnne enthusiasts from :> 0 0 aero~~ the state. The team· s mi sion .0 - wa~ to e n ~ ure the <.; unival and growth c.0 0 of the ~ t a t e · urban peregrine (ne ting 0 >c: in De~ Moine~ and Cedar Rapids) and 0 0 c iU r~ 0 0 0 '- ~01~ 0 -0 !0 - --r 1 - - - tic Ocean. Equally obering is the - fact that more than a century has passed ince the re onate, haunting clamor of courting trumpeter swans has echoed aero Iowa wetlands. But tho e environmental wrong doings are being corrected. Back from the very edge of the abyss, peregrines and trumpeters are returning to reclaim historic breed ing grounds. Both species ..~ ".ra'i'hed achieved new, modern-day produc ,red from tion records during the 2002 nest ing eason, and biologists are ,ear optimistic that the be t is yet to I effec· come. T he following is an update of ]·o n of the the reco"ery' continuing success. 11 front ~ be \tlan· l The male (tiercel) ahlc 0 1/J "old .friend'' u m an peregnne stands watch adult, pe1 e ~llll l' falcon. and 11 e over the same nest site \\'ere (/1/lenth in the proce\\ of Park 1 in Davenport. Iowa "\teo/111~" ht\ halne\ from a 11e.H \1t 1/5 reared peregrines ho.\ /oullc d on a led~c of the ta/( 11 4 cont1nue to occupy e11er~' lnuld111~ \ loth \tory. th terntories across an area Of (ow \l. ow tnte11tiom were stretching from W1nn1peg 11111oc cnt enou~h. And u (· u £ ren'r to St. LoUI S, mak1ng Iowa ' w tua/1\ \I£ aling at all. We merelv a maJor contnbutor to the \W/l/( d to "horro\1'" the c/11( A.\, m1d-contment recovery ell mt \OIIIl' hlood \amph \, band the ,, efforts. I lw!Jtc'\ and then rctum thun \{/jely 10 til£ Ill '' Th£ hand\ u ould a/lou· I ddlf/011 Iowa Peregrine H tcnl/\1\ to c/(J( 1111/l 111 th£ ultimate hw eif, \((/'\ t\'l/1 and dl\fU nul <~l the the pro1 Numbers j(flcoll\. ll'lule the blood II'Ollfd be hts 11/at . Continue to Soar U\ed 10 detect the pre\ence [or ounce I /wpefltll\' the oh.\ence j <~l pesticide Tlte 't eJI( Olllller, tl \ I 'W painfit!ly oh1•iou.\ ( onllllll ination or other en Pi ron flldi11u DA VCNPORT- Isn it f un ~· ll 'hene1 •er 'ou hump into an old that our friend \l'a.\ not. In fact. mental/\' 10\ic agent\ \l/Ch m our blo friend ') the 11101/lent he detected our pre.\ hem'\' metal\. fus babr That 1 en thing happened th t\ ence. he dtd ht\ le1·el hesr to push The endeal'or dul contam llll breedm( /lOll\. fJl/\1 \1111/lller 11 hen Dm·enport II\ j10111 the lmt!dmg 's r(}(~l top and element ol In Jul\' of 1999. has inn fireman Fo111 De( k.ert and 1 l't.wed 111/o the lm\\', dollnto\\11 traffic Dec A.ert and I fwd "hied and Pa1r. the heodquarten hwldin~ of Mtd he I o \\' banded" tht\ ren \(1/11£' bird that Bw um 11011 1n £ 1 1£ Ills Alllertc ll/1 Enerf!.\'. But \1 lute 11·e I .\hould note that tlus n e~aril ·e 111 ~ to t u \ from doeillt nun hm e /Jeen delighted bY the re\f}()/1\l' \Ill\ enltreh wuler"itand- oJllce bwldtng Ill'\/ \It£'. Th£ gnne ~ The long-term surviva l of "city doin g what peregrines do best - Unfortunately. we' ll never reall y 5nJ and smoke stack'' birds remains tearing up the sky and claiming the know how accurate those ori ginal ~ pre largely dependent upon continued wild blufnands as their own. in ventori es were. But according to Dr. lticaL nest box maintenance and intensive A.., the Iowa cliff work began. Harrison Tordoff. who has served al) 1, ite management. During the ~i pring profes..,1onal scientists and vo lunteer<> field li aison and chief data collector nesting seasons. ituat1 ons often each agreed that returning wild throughout the mi d-continent peregnne 1\. became dicey as roofing. mainte peregnnes to their historic habitats recovery. it appears likely the Mi dwe<.,t ISO~ • nance and window-wal)hing crews would repre ent an uphill, long term cliff populati on may one day exceed 60 invaded peregrine territori es. During endeavor. Some experts predicted breeding pairs. Jb of the 1999 nesting season a trag ic, but the project would be doomed to The peregrine falcon represent s 1tion~ . unavoidable. set of human interac fa iI ure. the onl y formerl y extirpated species of rban tions led to the nest failu re of the De Observers were understandabl y nati ve wi ldli fe whose current nesting ·en Moines peregrines. a~ t o ni 1, hed \\hen fi\ e pa ir ~ of nestmg habitat ac tuall y exceeds historic le\ elli. me On the hi to ric cl 1ff ledge ... it es of peregrines appeared at Mi ss i ~s ippi A a result. an additional I 00 pairs of lriw the Mi~ is ippi, there arc no nest box Ri ver cliffs during the summer or Midwestern pe regrines are success ttons repairs, no fleeing maintenance 2000 - just two years after the initial fully nestin g on the offi ce buildings, lid workers, no bio-politics. Just free (Mi ssissippi Ri ver) release of 14 factory moke stacks and bridges or nying, self- u taining peregrines fl edgling falcons. our modern landscape. Thi fact alone Authoritie have estimated the makes the return of the peregrine one Midv. c~ t e rn . pre-DDT population of of the mol)t remarkable chapters in the au location had been a 200-foot. peregrine falcon at 40 pa irl) all annals of wildlife conservati on. 1re lime.\fone cliff face at Eagle Point nesting on cliffs adj acent to the s of Pw k which looms abo\'e the Mississippi Ri ver and it ~ tributanes or Bluffland habitat - upper 7 uest Mis!Jissippi River at Dubuque. The along the Lake Superior bas in . By Mississippi River. For the first ~e (a/con had been a baby himself the end of 200 I , 40 peregrine pairs time in nearly four decades, wild 1'. then. Now, after spendin& a were already occupying territori es on peregrines have returned to nest n uere couple of winters in South Midwestern cl iffs. on the upper Mississippi. reren 't America. the peregrine had re mere/\ turned to lou·a to raise young!ilers ,;cks. of hn own. band the It \\'as obvious the falcon fwd 1 stifely become a competent provider. In fd a/lou addition to catching food for wltimate himself. he was also wpplving all lt' the pr(J\'isions needed to \ll\tain hi.\ mate and three robust, 37- 11/d be [or ounce youngsters. esticitlt The story did have a happy ·iron· ending. Deckert and I obwined m our blood samples, the falcon got his babies back, and Iowa's Jill {Ill breeding population of peregrines if J999. hm Increased by one succenful fJCII r. /ld ·d that Bumping into an old friend just doe.\n't get much better than that. from /II.\ - LW 'he T RL ~ IP ET ER S\\ f rumpeter ""an.., made 10 ... ucce..,.., lul ne..,ttng anemph dunng 2002: re..,uhtng tn the product ton of ..p C) g neh. Tht" m ..trk." a "lgntticam mcrea .... e mer l.t"t ;ear ''hen nme \\\an ne"t" produced 19 ) oung. Volunteer coop enllor.., produced an addttlonal 1-1-5 ;oung from\\\ an pair.., held in capti\ tty. Tho"'; ;oung \\til be relea\ed into lov.,a '' ctl;.md" 111 '>003. The htg ne''" 1n the ..,,,an ''odd 1.., that th1" ... ummer. for the fir..,t tune 111 more th ..m a centur). ''tid trumpeter.., h ..\\ e returned to ne..,t on the back.'' ,Her.., of the uppet ~ l t..,..,l..,..,tppt Rl\er. >\ccord ing to D R ,,,,m re..,toratlon coordmu tor Ron Andre''"· IO\\ a-reared ..,,, an.., tntttated three ne..,tmg anemph on the 11...... 1\"'PPI T\\0 or tho\e nests \\ere loc,Hed on the Wt ... consm \tde of the channel. and all were succes<;ful - resulting In the production or eight young. I" .. the "Our recov lhtnl-. it'' pO"><.,tble that we could have a ' ery goal hu" man} a' ft\ e or ..,I, ne\\ pam. coming on the me 1 been to ha' e a ltne next }Car. Whether or not that It I 51. total ol 15. Iree happen' rematn" to be ">een. but at thi · tl; mg pa11·, of p0111t I' ll1 htghl} opttmt<.,ltC .. l rn. rt:~ ·d 'lJ brcedm!!.... trum- \ndrC\\.., noted that pO\\ er I me peter "''an' b} colltston" and tlleg..tl ... hootmg represent 0 the ) ear 1003:· the l\\ o mo"t common cau"e"' of •m an -;atd Andre''.., mortaltt) lL 1.., ltk.el; that" tthout those ha , •'Or ··sa... ed on factors. the 10\H\ reCO\ er} \\ ould have b) ater neck. collat alread} e'\ceeded th 15-pair goal. h II mar observation"> of "lt ·~ rea II; unfortunate that Iowa phone, tt nonbreed1ng, claims the highest incidence of illegal ra,e\ th subadult bird~ swan shooting!-. of any state in the mid hended t rcpo11ecl clunng contment recovery region," \aid ~aid ~n l the summer. I Andrew!-.. \\'he ·'It "> hould al">o be noted that the ob-ened people '' ho 'hoot ..,,, ans are not hunt lorat roq MORE HISTORY An Iowa-reared tru mpeter sits atop her nest in an er': the; 're 'andals Unfortunately. Poa her I upper Mississippi River backwater located southeast of McGregor. Hailed thctr acuons gl\ call of u.., '' ho enjo; Lte be,t as a critical milestone in the nation's trumpeter recovery effort, the summer of 2002 marked the first time in more than a century that wild huntt ng C\pectal!) '' aterfO\\ ling - a \\e swans have been produced from th1s important ecosystem. Iowa-reared black. eye." "t\bu~ swans mitiated th ree successful nesting attempts on the Mississippi. In an c rrort to reduce tile gal ~hoot- • at couN HUGE AND MAJESTIC - A Tragedy and Triumph at last year's offspring \\'ere A.1lled pair of adult Mallard Marsh after colliding with poner lmes trumpeter swans FERTILE-A nesting season during this year's spring migration. stand watch over that began with tragedv haJ ended Ironically, the swans 1rere less than their brood of in triumph for Iowa's beJt known Jour miles from their Mallard seven young at bird fa mil). Marsh nest site when the tragedy Mallard Marsh, For the second consecutil'e occurred. located four miles summer, 1-l'ild tmmpeter swans "It's taken an incredible southwest of hal'e succe.!>Jju/ly produced young amount of time and energy to work Fertile in Cerro at Cerro Gordo Count\' 's Mallard our wav to that current staten·ide Gordo County. Marsh. nucleus of IO, free-flying breeding Trumpeter swans According to DNR .\wan are listed among pairs, " said Andrews. Iowa's rarest bird restoration coordinator Ron "The loss of those {Mallard species. Only 10 Andre\\'\, the tmmpeter su·an is Marsh] birds was e\tremel_\ fnn pairs nest in the listed among lmra 's rarest bird trating, and repre\ell!ed a major entire state. The spec1es. Only IO pain currently setback in north loll'a ·s swan Mallard Marsh nest stateH'ide. reCO\'ery. At that pomt there ll'ere birds are the first "The Mallard Marsh birds really a lot of disappointed folks wild swans to nest made their fint nesting attempt ow there. " anywhere in Cerro last year, and on June 10 {2001} "THE DAY FOLLOWING THE Gordo County in they were succes.\jill in hatching ACCIDENT, I was able to locate the more than a jil'e young," said Andrews. adult female bad. at Malhml century. "These were the l'ery first ·wild Marsh. Standing alone, she ing, the DNR has reccnlly increased Sll'ans to nest am·whae in Cerro waited for j have a~ the fine for killing a wi ld swan from $50 Gordo Countv in more than a omin!!... on century. In term.\ of wildl~f'e that to 5> I ,500 plus court co~ts. Andrews notes, however, that the department will conservation, the1r rerum was 11 at thJ) still rely on the public for information nothing short of an hiHoric regarding wan hooting~ . event." line "So far. a full 75 percent of the North lmm '\ \Iran [ami!) ~pre-;enb quicklv gained .Hatewide celeb of ,,,an [swan] \oiolati on we've prosecuted have come from the eye-witness report rity, and became the .\ubject of >UI tho..e b} \\. aterfov.l hunter . It's amazing numerou.\ neii'Spaper and nwga Jld ha'e how many hunters carry their cell :_ine article.\. For area ll'atelfowl )a!. phones to the duck blind. In some entlwsiastJ, the nesting tntmpeters .t Iowa cases, the violators have been appre marked the culminotion of years illegal hended before they leave the marsh," of intensi1•e restoration actll'lfles the nud- said Andrews. involving the release (~{ young, d Whenever a hunting violation is captive-reared s11•ans on area observed, an immediate call to your 1\'etlands. The pair's adult female at the local conservation officer or the Turn In had been one of four young swans ot hunt- Poachers Hotline ( 1-800-532-2020) is released at Mallard Marsh during a mate that would latelY· the best course of action. the summer qf 1997. never return. The good nell's 1\'Cl.\ , enjo~ "We can't do much about power BUT THE CELEBRATION that she appeared to he uninjured. in!!-- J ,\ l ~ line:,. but illegal shooting i<> something appeared to end abrupt!\· when Adult females are the most \'([/uable that could stop immed iately." the pair's adult male and one of component of any watelfoll'l Trumpeter swan fam1ly 1n a pra1ne cattail marsh - Cerro Gordo County A new chapter for Iowa's best known swan fam1ly pof'ularion. \ncl alrlwu~h rhe bird 11 U\ 11011' a lone \Ill'\ n·o1, 'he 11a\ al\0 c111 111111\IICII "1](' \t caw \Ce- .. //({//0 \\ lfc//ifc fWfW/aliOII\ (II(' highfy cl\ 1/Wl/IC and ll'hen it 1110\l 11 t!dllfc /nolo~/\!\ learn lO "ne\ e1 \en ne\'£'1 .. L'npredu win II!\ " one c~/rhe lh111~' rhat 11wA.e\ 11 tlclllfe oh\l'll ClfWil \0 ./(1\cinatlll~ lhe Hal/ard Alanh \\\l/11\ prmed to he no e\uptwn year, the />11 d\ H oulcl hop£jul/_, c lu ontcle rc({( lu d an improbable \\ 11h1n four elm'· the fe11wh fwd clc1 ·dotJ a \lmng pm1 ho/1(1 dunn~ cn' HC'Ildo 11/un all \£\l'/1 e~~\ hed 111to tin n ~- /JNII JOIII('c/ h_\ ll \CCOillf \\1 llll. thc \11111/llcl. migrott \Outh ro~erher hare heal ., baln.. .. "-- 11£ t\ f(Jr II huh \Ill\ 1({/hu 1/lUuft/Jfl C0/1\id rfu, fall. allll rhcn rc tum to north So 111/tch rhe mle hook <11/l~ fuJI\ Jc11 IIU111fJ£1cn are on the em lmra ro II£ \l 111 2003 LtA.c. I \llld. the 'Han' fwd ideas (~f (fll II 0\\'/1, lwuiH ape Tlu 1 1\ltor \fWr!ed a /Jl I /Ill ) H \\5 H4D DIF- hn~ht rul nee A. collar ( llumher 1 I R/ ,\ I //)/ \\ £1/1(1 at thn pomt .. \\'e real!\' dicln'r l'\fJl' CI rim PQ.-1) / he /}(lnd rc'l'ealed rhe Inn/ rhe \!On 1 call_\ he~an ro get 1/lter outcomt lr I' on/\ rhc \ec ond 11m a 2 \ear old. whadult 11utle £'\llng tulle. 111 .fact. rlwt 11 ( ·, e doc u- 1/len!ed a 2-\ ea1 old bml produc 1\'luch had hc en produced b\ o fUll/ I he ntended c ourl.\lup rttllol, c~f captil·e In eeclers held h\ the lout! fm c' \a111ple. H' l'llt' to hm·e pro tng \'Otlllg." .wid \ndreH \. conser\'Cttion !JOord at Winnebogo ceedeel u /}It more ropic/1\' than .. I here'' no que \lion thai Counl\ ·, Thorpe Pork. <'\f}('C ted. !J r 111ici-Mm·. rhe female l o11 ·a ·., lnllllfJl'ter \\\'an re.stora A!tlwuuh rhe collared bird lwei not onh refurbi,hed her lton hw heen a roller comter retn·e\ented o porenriol ne11 mate. 11 fOJm<'l 11<'\l \If£'. lmr lwd ol.w ride \l'ilh fJ/ent\' c~l peak\ and alw llfJf'eared lo he roo lillie too produced u hrand Ill'\\' clutch of \'((//£'\.\ Ounng the f}{l\f 'ear. the Alollmd \lanh \\\WI\ hme late f'lltlllJU' tl'l \ 11·an' 1eqw re a \('\ ('// \hill\ ('~~\ or course, rhe lengrln c ourf\lup. wul nuHI Inn/\ C'!! ~' 11 ere 11/0\f /t/,e" u~{emle, /)lt/ \l'<'ll horh Bur nghr no\\. rhe.' 're btu A. on rhe peu/, and rhere are a don 'r produce \C1ltllf? untt! m le{/\f it 11 tl\ 11£'\Nthe/e\' a ~ood \!art for lor of happv jo/A.' our rherc .. thell rlurcl \C'Or. \lthouf?h rhere 1\ a\ !he Ill'\\ fWlr - LH no fJO\ \/In Itt\ for production rht\ On June 12. rlu\ reur\ 'lllan 3g IO\\ C 1}11\l:J'uiiiOIII\1 • Sl,.'ph.:mhcr/O~o.h,hcr 100 • \ Prairie ' Rescue Revisited Planting trees has become synonymous with Earth Day. and on a day designed to promote a healthy environment and world peace. who can deny the suitability of such a practice. How strange is must have sounded, though. when Iowan), were asked this year to "cut a tree for Earth Day." Given the mission of Earth Day, that odd request actually couldn't have been more fitting. The plea was part of statewide ~oable gs Prairie Rescue Day. an environ mental restoration initiati\e that tR· ook. integrates conservation and service organizations. families and corpo 'eas rate sponsors. including local Coca-Cola bottlers and Fairway this Stores. Inc. The focus wns on rd removing trees and other invasive plant species that threaten the few oduc· prairie remnants in Iowa. Event organizers from the If Iowa DNR, the Nature Conser ra· vancy, Iowa Natural Heritage ·r 1 rr. 1re 1~:,-e Article by Matthew J. Edwards are a and Jeff Sing .. Photos by Ty Sn1edes --LW I oundatton. lm\a Pratne "Jet\\Or"-. mcludmg burning On-~ite expert-, fd -.au and m,\11) othct group'> \\Ork.ed prm tded technical gutdance and p:ramo together to mak.e the C\Cnt the mol-it praute education for panictpatmg I.. :Urt: c .... uccc-..-,lul }Ct The 1rd annual \ oluntcer"> "\\ Pr attiC Re-,cuc Da}. held Apnl 20. The management of prame"> help-. p Prairie smoke tn\ohed 10 local pratne \ttes on include~ the \tmulation of the natural the \Oil puhltc and mcchantl.illl"> like ltre and grazrng that Ac kel pn \ate lands. have allov.ed praine-.. and fore~t~ to IO\\J and more than -..ur\t\e mer t11ne hrc \\a\ a natural E' I 450 pa11JC1pant"> occurrcrKe on the prame before '>tatC\\ tde ">ettlement \-.. I\ the <.a'>e \\. tth I Prame fore-..t'>. ftre can actual!) reJU\ enate the prame and k.eep It health) Re .... cue Da\.; It,.., ''a'> hr.... t one tool u-,ed tod.t) h) agenc1es that e .... tablt-,hed b) m,m.tge natl\ e or rc-,tored prame the \udubon land-.. Oe-,plle the .tppearance. OCICl) Ill :WOO black.encd car1h .tnd -,corched tree-.. and ha.., grO\\ n are not a '>Jgn of de-,patr There rs a con\tderabl} 111 c;clc m v.h1ch ltfe bcgm-, anev.. and l lollowmg year\. v.rll actuall; come back. e\en ">tron '~ mm Each year ger. parttctpation ha-, Management al-,o tnclude\ active nearl; doubled. human tntet 'cntlon -,uch a\ domestic \ 1ore group granng. tmm 111g. and ha) 1ng a-,\\ ell and more a-, manual ( cham-..,l\\ "'· lopper\. and people are bt}\\ -'><1\\ "). h10logtcJI. and chem1cal gettmg tm oh ed mean' ol ..,e lectt \ e 1; rcmo' mg and mak.mg a unde-,trahle -,pcctc..., The prame " an tntncatl! \\Cb of II\ mg thmg-, but dtflerence. ~ ... People tn lO\\ a not a lilt\ 111 eo t h 111 e(J\ ''ere ori comalh . are learning to part ol the ") '>lem There are 'oluntecr. nall\e\ (natural!; occurnng mhabit protect. plant. anl\ umquc to I O\\ a tallgra'>'> prmrie) educate and and there arc tm a">t\ e.., (unde-,irable identify prairie. plants and trees that take up the During same precious ">pace . ..,unlight and Prairie Rescue nutrient~ other plant'> need to thrive). Day. 'olunteer. Prairie tm ader.., lik.c cedar. dogv.ood. cleared im ading thl'>lle and llO\\ cnng plants adapt and hru-,h and trees chok.c oiT the onginal nalt\ e'>. from the prairie thercb) altering the land..,cape. and conducted Prame Rc-,cuc Oa) '" a chance other protection for IO\\a·..., cttllen'> to '>tep m and acll\ tttes l.ia\ e our rc-..ource-,. Molt\ aung..... 4() lti"-ll Cor. .. crV.JIIOil l't • \cptcmhcr/O,IOhcr 2002. educating and im oh 1ng Iowan i a impossible to sec the horiLon over 'That soil allow us to feed ourselves paramount concern wtth current and the praine. with far less cost and effort than (} 1: future con ·ervati on initiative . When settlers first arrived in most countries require. Since hu I "We know the prairie rescue Iowa, they discovered their plows - mans don't know how to create new s helps prairie, but we hope it benefit designed for forest soi ls - could not soil like prairies do, we can't afford to 1tural the volunteers as well," says Mark cut through the dense prairie sod. throw away thi s key resource." 1g that Ackelson, executi ve director of the Not until 1837, when John Deere As the native Iowan and great ts to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. invented the se lf-scouring, steel conservationist Sylvan Runkel once atural Events lik.c this provide opportuni bladed plow, was it possible to break aid, "Getting people - getting e ties for families, scout troops, church the prairie od and farm the areas on children- acquainted with what's and 4-H groups to make a difference a large scale. Then, in the remark out here will make people concerned nate and redi . CO\ er a small piece of their ably short period of perhap 50 about what i happening here. If 'A e It I\ collective history. year . the vast majority of prairie in get acquaimed wi th natural communi s that The first European settlers Iowa was plowed and com erted to ties. we feel at home. Any place we 1e mo\ing we t'Aard from the forests of agriculture. feel at home. we feel I ike protecting." the eastern United States encoun ·The United States. particul arl y The prairie's beauty is unri\aled tree~ tered the prairies, which eemed like the Midwest's bread basket. has the by it implicity of a majestic bloom e ~~a a vast ocean of grass. The wind most fertile soil in the world - and it . and caused waves on the surface of the came from our prairies," says Glenn .ron- shimmeri ng grasses. Certain wagon Pollock of the Iowa Prairie Network . Continued on page 43. used by the pioneers were called acti\'e "prairie schooners," a reference to a April marked the second year of a dedicated Prairie Rescue Day effort nestle sailing vessel, further adding to the at Rock Creek State Park. An emerging partnership between the , well analogy of the prairie being a large Grinnell College Center for Prairie Studies and the DNA was apparent, and tnland sea of grasses. It was easy to with students returning to cut brush and burn small pieces of ground. mica! get lost in the prairie, especially ince Some students that volunteered in 2001 could see the area being there were few trees or other natural transformed by their efforts - prairie grasses and forbs were becoming ie IS features to act as landmarks. Even established. Volunteers from Rock Creek Lake Alliance, AmeriCorps ) but \\.hen on horseback, it was often and surrounding communities also participated. ill~ tabit rairie) arable te and hri,·e). !\\ood. ~pt and -~. ~ The progressive loss of the prairie I ~ ecosystem at Waubonsie State Park. m z c 1920s (left). Prairie Past, Present 1940s by Mark Edwards and Future People arc pa11 of the prairie. found that prairie soils Thousands of years ago Nati' c prm idcd the possibility Americans perpetuated prairies hy for a different kind of purposefully setting them on tire. ecosystem. This management technique Original estimates of sustained the prairie's health. It Iowa' s 36 million acres also insured the people· s health. show more than HO Prairie and its partner tire percent of our state or increased the availability of medici about 30 million acres 1970s nal plants like pale purple cone were carpeted with flower and food sources such as prairie before homestead buffalo. prairie chicken eggs. and ing by immigrants began. biscuit root. The people, plants and In the space of 75 years, creatures lived together in one of at most. the prairie was the most diverse. productive and plowed. Today, in Iowa, largest ecosystems in the world. approximately 30,000 The prairie was our ecological acres of original prairie equivalent of the rain forest. In the remam. This is an area last two hundred years this ecosys Jess than half the size of tem was reduced to one of the the city of Des Moines. rarest plant communities in all of Today. more than 60 North America. White settlers percent of Iowa's prairie 1990s n. 42 lolA..& Con\t.:r\..llhHll t • St.:pkmhcriOdohcr ZOO~ :pst is covered in only two species, changed considerably. lust a few com and beans. In less than three years ago people thought of native Rattlesnake master generations we have eliminated 99.9 prairie plants as nothing jetcent of the prairie ecosystem that more than "weeds." ~duced our rich soil. Half of our Suddenly these "weeds" origin81 soil has disappeared in the have miraculously last 150 years. The prairie soil that become ''wildflowers." still remains supports our trees, Some are being sold for sppplies our agricultural products and medicinal purposes, some fS the foundation of our state are coloring our towns and others are being planted in the road ditches of our interstate highways. People are making livings collecting of the conservation move seed and one of Iowa· s in Iowa. In the early 1900s a recent tourist attractions park plan was begun and by the - the Neal Smith Iowa embarked on a program National Wildlife Refuge vu•'w define the park system we - is based on the today, except for prairie reconstruction of a pre settlement prairie land scape. L;'UOmieniatlton Commission Thousands of people 'Cba:sea Iowa's first prairie pie in Iowa are volunteering Today, we have approxi- to protect, plant and 5,000 acres of native prairie restore prairies. Spring protection as public land. The prairie fires are again sending and its complexity as ali\ ing organism. •"'"'h' of our public prairies can be smoke signals across the plains. Scientists fear if preservation and tNn1d in the Loess Hills of western We are again learning about re torative acti on i"i not tak.cn. the it is to be an inhabitant of Iowa aoc:f genetic and biological diversity it Even these areas have been that Iowa is prairie. harbors in its fl ora and fauna will prairie due to invading species, Clearly, something is chaogipf di sappear. suppression and lack of prairie The prairie plants certainly aren'~ Some of tho"ie quiet place<.; of For example, changing as they have been in beauty are no doubt already gone. ~;t.lubcmsJie State Park in the Loess Iowa for thousands of years. Our Other are in peril. What 's left needs ·'·~""'~'" ...... of southwestern Iowa was understanding and perception has our help. All Iowans have a stake in ~bl1sh~~d in 1927 and contained one changed. Our society, our values preservi ng resources, you just may not and the appreciation of our dwin realize it yet. dling heritage are changing. 's prairie since it came Come be a part of the change. Matthell' J. Edwards i.\ a I'Oiunleer =--:·-- public protection as a state program assi~tant for the depart Mark Edwards is a trail c:on ment in Des Moines. In less than a span of one genera struction specialist for the Jeff Sing is· an AmenCorp.s creu tion, our perception of prairie has department in Des Moine.'i. leader for the department. teo;UOl dMI( ~~pl &nd lh ~I pO\W tn~m ~ transp Dt:par "I ~1aff meth c made dllllCIJ lo\\ a h,l.., launched a ne\\ pro Educatton ·...,regular!} ..,cheduled New Safety gram dc..,1gncd LO help protect children ..,chool bu.., 111\pcctJOn'> The fir..,t from potc11ll,lll) tlangcrou' '>chool bu'> round ol te .... tmg on the neml) -L500 be''. cmi'>\I0£1\ L 11dcr the Bu'> Emi'>">IOn"> dte..,el bu'>e.., \\a.., LOmpleted m Jut;. Program Helps Lducauon Prog1 am ( B EE:P ) - the There "no CO'>l to lov.a '>chools. SAl ftr'>t \Oiunt,\1} tC\ttng program k.no\\n or the talc of Iowa. Donation.., from Iowa School to exJ'>I 111 the Un1ted tate'> - all pn \ate compame.., and orgamLattons lov.a dte .... el \Chool bu'>e"> wtll be arc bc111g rai..,ed to fund the program. le'>ted . SA I l ~xcc ull\ e D1rcctor Troyce Children B£ l ~ P I\ d collaborall\ e partner Ft..,hcr noted that taktng .t proacti\e '>hlp bct\\Ccn the l I)Ce tire 1g , iron- e If US ~isher ud reas ,rurs or tuther lop Touchstone Energy Cooperatives of Iowa TH E NF\\ lo\\ ' '-lTATF I'ARf..s AND ,, , ne promote our State Parks through the 3• Rn RFAl toN ARt As t.lHnF, sPoNsoRLD . ba-.ed RY Tott ttsJONI E :-.; t Rt.\1R) CooPERATt\ es Green Touch partnership. 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Best Pheasant Huntmg m Iowa' Call Curt @ 515-462-2310 or Hunting • Fishing • Camping ~ ~JJ- ~~ lliU:i~ Gear for the EnJoy our Features: • Free Continental Breakfost Outdoorsman • Heated Indoor Pool • Whirlpool & Exercise Equipment We Have the Brands You are Hunting For! • ~'(1/mlpool Suites & Meetzng Room Brownmg Remmgton Bushell • Premwm AfoVIe Channels Benelli Winchester Garmm • Pa)• Per Vrew /v!ovies Flambeau Abu Garc1a N1kon • In-room Co./feemaker; Hmrdryer, Hunter Specialties Berkley Sh1mano lnnotek Fenwick Iron c-Iromng Board, Data Pon Lohman St. Cro1x 4723 West Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 292·2278 • M·F 9·8 Sat.·Sun. 11·6 - RARKS PROFILE thou\and'> of year\ to g<~lhet for OP 1mportant funct ton-.. or relax and :ra il ~ \Ce the unu\ual \.tnd,tonc forma ove lion .... \\atch the 111\ riad \\ ildlife. or - RIG IJ\lCn to the \OOthmg SOllllUS of the ano CJ) \tal clear c.reck '' inding through the roch. po1 Ledge\ State Park was named. BOl appropnately. 1or 11\ un1que ... and (ng \lonc formation-.. '' ho-..c hl\ton• date\ bad~ \Ome 100 millton )Car\ \\hen \haliO\\ \C \\ ~Her. About 13.000 .\ c.tr.., .tgo.... melt '' ater from the De-.. i\lo1nc-.. lobe of the Wi<,constn gl,tclcr. ra1n and \Urface runoff cut through the <;and stone can) on . lonmng the 1ta dramatiC clift\ and c.tn;on-.. found at Ledge-...... tod,l\. d There i e\ 1dencc hun1<111.., 1nhab1ted the Lc<.h!e..,.... Me,l for at "Within the heart of Iowa, queen of the western least 3.000 years. undoubted I} prairies, six miles southeast of Boone, there in a attracted by the ulllquc gcolog1cal valley filled with birds and sunshine, nestle the formation~ in an othcn\ i\C mo-;tly featureless land..,cape. Traceo., of Ledges." camp..,ites. village\ and \tone tool Carl Frit-;. Hennin~ manufacturing \Jte.., 1n<.llcate atl\·e Americans occup1ed the park at quote, from the the unknow111g a\ a \ a<;l flatland. \Omewhere around I 000 B.C. lln')t park CU\todian at Iowa surely didn't have a place Artifacts dating bad. to 750 A.D. Ledges State Park, that deserved the name "Ledges." point to the existence of' Oneonta conjure\ up visions of scu lptured But sure enough, there b. and tribe\. The powerful ac and Fox rocb and curiosity. Percei vcd by humans have u\cd the area for tribe'> a)<;O inhab11 cd the Ledge-; - for OPPOSITE PAGE: The hiking and trails leads to several scenic onna overlooks. ife. or of the RIGHT: The stone bridge is hrough another popular stopping point. ~amed. BOTTOM: Carl Fritz Henning ~an d m· (right) vears much of ted. ,·alley of central Iowa. Legend I~hale ha it the~e Indians u ~ed the ned the \andstone overlooks for protection from roving war tribe~. he land. Some early vi itors to rhe Ledges area no doubt left a lasting t cut a )Sited Imprint on the area. One of the mo~t notable wa~ Capt. Nathan ~ttled. ith sand. Boone (son of Daniel Boone), who _ in 1832 led an expedition from Old ~ sand- >. Fort Des Moines to Minnesota . \·ear'i C Along the way he passed through rround- the area and is believed to be the scientists long before first non-Native American to it was a state park. . melt marvel at the beauty of the can- When Ledges was lobe of yon. In 1847. Boone County (the first proposed a<; a d home of Ledges) was officiall y state park in 19 14. it established. was already obvious the Year~ later. in 1846, John Pea the area was going to found and Jame · Hull settled in the area be an extremely and were the lir ~ t setllers to popular and highly ln' occupy Boone County. One of the used area. It was r at two streams which now through also obvious some -• . I; the Ledges canyon still bears the thing would have to ogical name "Pea's Creek." be done to protect the area from Henning was paid $100 a month. mostly As long ago as 1875, travelers damage. Therefore, in 192 1, three During his nearly two-decade ces of made it a point to make the Ledges years before Ledges would offi career, Ledges became one of 1e tool part of their route. In fact, a plat cially become a state park, Carl Iowa's "premier" state parks. He e Nau,·e map from that era shows a stage Fritz Henning was appointed the was custodian during the New trk coach road pas~ed through first park custod ian. Deal era, when programs such as r.C Ledge~. The stage operated from A gi fted natu ra li ~ t who con the Civilian Consen ation Corps 0 A D. Des Moi nes to Boone. veyed hi s love of the park and its (CCC) and Works Progress neonta Ledges was a popular attrac plants. wildlife and geological Admi nistration (WPA ) helped nd fo\ tion for o,ightseers, picnicker and formations to virtuall y every\ isitor, shape Iowa state parks of today. ·d!les ~ - ARKS PROFILE RIGHT: The sandstone cliffs provide a backdrop for a photo or simply a rest break. an BELOW: The Des Mo1nes ho River flows through the west uo edge of the park, providing fishing, boating and canoeing opportunities. IL ''a' dunng the CCC era that man) of the <;helter\, bndge,, entrance portals. tratb. re"t room\, and other park lactlttie" were butll. Mo\t structure' ''ere butlt '' tth matenab found on \lte. pnm.1rd) fteld Butlt in the lO\\Cr Ledge .... tt has unfortunate!) been the\ tcttm of ..,e, eral major tlood-.. through the year-;. During the Flood of 1993. the helter ''a~ undet 25 feet of tr p water for everal month-, and ustained ignificant damage. Jn ... tead of repainng the -,helter in the same location. tn 1998 the f '>he Iter '"a pain<:.takmgl) mo' ed - rock by rock - and recon 0 structed exactly a~ it ''as before. The helter is now located ~ above the floodplain to prevent V') ~· future damage. lt is a popular u c;por for wedding ~. famil} re successful re-.tored prairie. water levels have been recorded. union and company pi cnics. Thi1teen miles of hiking trails lead The faces of the Ledge When the shelter was renovated up and down ~teep s lope~ to change from hour to hour and and moved, it was rededicated in scenic overlooks and provide season to season. so you never honor of Henning for his contribu access to spectacu lar views of know what new beauty you will tions to the park. Pea's Creek "canyon." While find. After a trip to this fascinat Over the years, Ledges has most of the trails include steep ing state gem, one wi ll realize evolved into one of Iowa's most portions, a fully accessible trail that, yes, there is a pl ace in Iowa visited state parks. It offers 94 around Lost Lake is located in the called "Ledges." campsites, including 12 "hike-in'· southern part of the park. Take campsites. Approximately 1.200 time to visit the "flood pole," acres of wildlife refuge contains located in the lower area of the Greg Haley is the park mature timber and the state's first park. where the major nood manager at Ledges State Park. LEDGES AT A GLANCE t PARK RESIDENCE r-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-: GENERAL INFORMATION: i ! 0 PARK OFFICE 0 1320 2640 ft. i ! Approximately 1,200 acres containing i ! -A- PICNIC AREA 114 112 mi. i ! historic Civil ian Conservation Corp ti RESTROOM i ! i ! facilities. scenic canyons and bluffs and L SHELTER I i- · - · - · - · - · - · - · - · - · - · - · - · - · - · - · - · ~ i ® TRAILER DUMP STATION i i diverse plant and animal life. i i ·--- SNOWMOBILE TRAIL i i LOCATION: Boone is located four NATURE & CROSS COUNTRY TRAIL j j j BOUNDARY ~INE --j miles north; Ames 15 miles east; and --- HIKING TRAIL i --. ,,con· Hutton, a strong conservationist and fi rst director of before. the Iowa State Conservation Commission in 1935. W IWUFE• ated RESEARCH STATION .,·ent CONTACT: 515-432-1852: email at LOI$T l-41 E Jlar [email protected] ONSERVATION 101 In itt f1 Sh Creating Positive First Experiences sho ex By A. Jay Winter me One of the greate'>t lcelmg'> reb and pheasant'> can provide + Keep the flr'>t hunt'> ..,hort the outdoor'> can otTer i'> the exciting. yet c.,implc hunting and and active. If }OU arc gomg to be '>Ull'>facuon of introducmg '>Ome are a great \\a} to \tart begin 111 the field fm an extended ner'>. pcnod. tah.e \e\ era I breab Mv one to hunung and fi.,hmg. J e'>pCcJall} a) oung per.,on I am in + et a good example. A father-111-lm\ and I took. Ill\- 4- the pnKe'>'> ot mtroduc111g Ill} fir~t - llmer C'>pec1all) a }Oung- year-old on an C\cning. duck hunt O\\ n h.ld'> to the outdoor'>. and '>ter - \\ 111 mo'>t II ke I 1 adopt the la\t ..,ea ... on. Along with our \Vatch111g their eye'> ltght up 111 philo'>ophy. ethiC\ and attitude ol ">Landard gear. v.e pach.cd trucb. ama;ement and appreciation I'> a their mentor. Lead by your ..,hovel\ and fi..,h1ng tackle to play fecl1ng beyond de\cripuon It'" action c.,. not ) our word\. one I hope C\ er) one ha" a + afet} ..,hould be chance to '>hare '' tth '>Omconc foremoc.,t. Be cauuou'> and f'ollO\\ mg are a fc,, '>1111plc a\serti\ e. but on the ... arne gllldehne'> to help en ... ure the hand. mah.c the lcarmng cxpcncnce - v. hether ll bcmg proce-,.., a comfortable one. hunting or fi..,hing - i'> a po..,iti\e Let the beginner handle the one. Beyond that. ">imply kt equipment and practice nature take It"> courc.,e. -,hootmg before go111g out in the field. That help-, the + Don't make han e'>tiiH!'-' the b1ggcc.,t or the mo">t an 1c.,..,uc. The indi' 1dual become comfort greatcc.,t rc\\lard I'> ~unpl} be1ng 111 able \\lth the firearm·-, (or the outdoorc.,. Many people get bov. 's) opcrat1on and afe their first taste of hunting with uc.,e. Abo remember to :r: deer or turkeys. but don't ()\er wear eye and car protection ~ " look ... mall game. Rabbit'>. '>quir- when practice ... hooting. ~ ABOVE: Squirrel and rabbit a hunting are great ways to lh introduce newcomers to the pr sport. The game is plentiful fo l and weather condittons are often more enjoyable. I 1 RI GHT: Proper firearm handling and hunting safety should be addressed long -= before the actual hunt takes ~ place. ;:; 1..1 - - Initial trips, whether hunting or \\ ith. We didn't shoot many nance is integral to accurate fishing, should be active and duch, but we all had a great time. shooting. Most people have a es short. That helps make first • In volve beginners in all dominant eye just like they have a experiences fun and aspects of the hunt. My two sons dominant hand. You should memorable. come along when I seck permis always shoot a firearm using your lOrt sion to hunt, scout, maintain dominate eye, regardless if it o be equipment and hang matches your hand. You can treestands, and they determine eye dominance by !\I\ eat the game I bring following the steps below. I have home. Both enjoy all improved the shooting ability of J hunt aspects of the process many with this simple change. and are actuall y • Hunting with a group of getting better at people can be overwhelming, spotting deer than I especially for a beginner. ll's am. best start out hunting in pairs or + To be effec with a small group of friend!-.. tive, firearm!-. mu!-.t lit Too many people never learn the shooter and the to appreciate the outdoors simply shooter shou ld be because no one introduced them familiar with the to it. This fall and winter, make firearm. The firearm an effort to take a begi nner should be sighted in, hunting. After all , someone an d the individual probably did the same for you. proficient at shooting it. The firearm should also be of appropriate A. Jay Winter is a training gauge or caliber for officer for the department ar the specie~ hunted. the Springbrook Conserl'ation .c a Determining Education Cemer near Gwhrie ~ COITCCt eye domi- Center. v Determining Dominant Eye Ju~t as mo !-.t people have a dominant hand, they also have a dominant eye. U!-.ually, the dominant eye is the same side as the hand, but not always. Aiming with the dominant eye produces the best accuracy. To determine dominant eye, follow the!-.e step !-.: • Hold your hands at arms length in front of you. • Form a triangular opening with your thumbs and forefingers. • Focw. on a distant object through the hole • Slowly bring your hands toward your face, keeping the object in focus. The opening will naturally come to the dominant eye. I - KIDS' CORNER b) (l l. Most of the encrg) we u\e 6. Gasolme t \ produced h; originall) came I rom rcltntng \\hich fos\tllucl! Be Aware t:l a) the ~ un a) natural gas nat~ b) the air b) coal tim I c) the oil c) petroleum of Your d) d d) the oceans d) propane 12. Energy 2. Electrical cncrg) can be 7 0 Propane 1... U\Cd in ... tead or ener produced I rom natural gas on man) farm" and in \\I~ a) mechanical energ) rural areas. \\'hy i:-. rropanc otten Use J) w b) chemical cnerg} U'>Cd ln\ tead of natural g,t..,) OcLOber i" Energ) A\\ are c) radiant energ) a) it's safer b ' d) All of the above b) it' portable " 0 ne"" Mon th . Ho\\ often do you dlli c) it's cleaner think about the energ) )OU u"e 3. Which U'>C\ the mo\t energy tn d) it' cheaper and \\here it comes from> Th"' Amencan home.., each ) ear? October. take a fe\\ m1nute" to a) lighting 8. \\;hat ector of the l S tind \\ <1)" to -,a\ e energ} 111 ) our b) " ater heating econom) con..,umc" mo"t of the home. m ) our\ eht cle and e\ en c) heating and cooling room nauon · '> petroleum? a) residential at school. d) refrigeration b ) commercial Turning off the computer 4. The U.S. con\ume" lots of c) industrial and llghh 'A hen not 1n u\e, energy. Whtch Iuel provides the d) transportation brt keeping the car tuned up. most energ).., I changmg the air fi Iter on } our a) petroleum 9. atural ga.., 1.., tran .... rorted ~ I furnace. and lookmg for the b) coal mainl) b) l J c) natural gas a) pipelines Energy Star® ~ymbo l when d) g d) solar b) trucks buying new electroni cs or c) barges 1~. appliance\ will save money and 5. CoaL petroleum. natural ga~. d) all three equall) help the em ironment! You can and propane are fo\\il fuels. make a difference m October The) arc call ed fo\sil fueJ<.. I 0. Global warmmg focu"e" on an 1ncrea..,e in rhe lc\ cl ot '' h1ch ga and ever) month of the )Car. becau..,e: a) the) a rc burned to relea~e in the atmosphere·? The following qui1 comes energy and they cause air a) ozone from the U.S. Department of pollution b ) sulfur dioxide Energy's "Kid s Zone" at b) they were formed from the c) carbon dioxid e www.energy.gov. Take their buried remains of plants and d) nitrous oxide Home Energy Qui1 on-line to tiny animal that li\ed hundred of mi II ion .., of year~ ago I I. Solar. bioma~'>. geothennal. sec how energy efficient your c) they arc nonrenewable and "'' ind, and hydropO\\ er energ) are home is. will run out all renewable source" of energy. d) they are mixed with fossils They are called renewable to provide energy because they a) arc clean and free to use b) can be converted directly . A~.I 3 U 3 lC3Q JJO 3A !~ into heat and electricity pue l!(dS SlUOlC lUn!UCJfl S: (~1 c) can be replenished by ·~un e.t .\Ju3!J!JJ3 % ££ v (v 1 nature in a short period of 'A1F>!JP~I~ ~P!AO.td time Ol ~MOW SUOJP3f3 J ( £ l d) do not produce air pollution .dJ.lnO~ [~n j ~ ~q nM~Ud.l .ld4l0 AUB liUl)l All J ~ ll ~ d.IOW • 12. Today, which renewable SdP!AO.Id .ItlMOdO.IpAH Q (Z I energy sou rce provide~ the U.S. ndin 'dW! l JO PO!.Idd Parents and with the most energy? often lJOl)S 13 ll! d.IO)I3U .Aq PdlJS!UOiddJ a) wind dq U~J S(tlllj 3(QCA\ \lll \ll{ J ( 1 [ b) solar 'llUIWJ13M Teachers c) geothermal ~~qO[ll 01J OlOq!J}UOJ 13 13 UO Here are some excellent d) hydropower pdsnJOj S! SldnJ I! ~~OJ gu! u.tnq .Aq re ource fo r easy. fun and JJO UdA!g tl P!XO!P UOQJC:) J (O I interesting activities to help 13. Electricit) is the movement of 'SUg 1UJn}13 U dlJl introduce your child/ tudent to the a) atoms JO }SOW lJOd<;UUJl S3U!(3d!d \;1 (6 concepts of energy effeciency b) molecules ·wnOJO.Ildd s. uopuu e and renewable energy: c) electrons dlJl JO )SOW SOWI1~UOJ .IOp use 57 - ONSERVATION UPDATE Experimental Predator Second Annual Introduced To Clear Lake Volunteers in Natural To Reduce Rough Fish Resources Conference UJX'I set for Nov. 22-23 ~;ea~ Undes1rable rough fi\h cur rently account for about half of The Second Annual Volun hun Clear Lake·.., total fish popu lation. teer<; 111 Natural Resource.., thei nA In addition to occupying ~pace that Conference \.>\Ill he held Nov. 22- could be used b} more popular fi'>h. 23 at the A1 rport Holiday Inn in large den'>ltie'> of bottom feedmg Des Momes Volunteer.., are carp and bullhead'> increa"e turb1d encouraged to attend the e\ent, It}. contribute to ...,ummer algae spon<;ored h) the TO\\ c\ TER bloom.., and decrea~e \\ater quaht} \ oluntec1 \\ c.1te1 quc:.~ht) monltor .. Clear Lake ha..., a tot.ll b1olog1 - E mg program .md the DNR ·, cal caiT) mg capacit) of around 600 :::: Keeper'> of the l ,md program. 1(~ pound" of fi..,h per acre:· '>aid 0 R :• \\ or!..shop topic-. include Tu ~ I fi...,hcne..., bwlog1..,t Jim Wahl. "One - \\ ddh le d1 \ er'll) program..,, ...IL Fishenes staff Inventory fish of our fundamental goals concern TOW \TrR \oluntecr d,Ha. \ populations at Clear Lake. mg the lake·.., ongomg \.>\ ater quahty "snap..,hot" ,,unpllng of IO\\a·.., (CLEAR) project ha'> been to vvaten\H}'> and ,1 hand .... -on define the total number of bottom "Hathead catfi\h are se\slon on hO\\ to ... tart d wetland feeding fish and to accurately ehlremely predacious, and we're project. Volunteer.., from both req asse~s the impact the) 're havmg." hop1ng that they' II provide a program'> wi II he aL !..nov. !edged II Beginning in late Apnl. DNR bJOiog1cal control that will ha\e a for the11 ... en ILC to lo\.>\ a·<; natural L 0 fisheries personnel netted. mar!..ed ..,1gni licant1mpact on future re!'.ource.., dunng an :.mard.., -.e and released I I .000 bullhead.., and bu llhead numbers." banquet and ceremony >\II r. 1.100 carp. In July. D R staff \Vahl noted the mtroduc(lon auonall} recogn11ed \Oiun qu sampled fi'>h population.., at nearl) of flathead catfi..,h 1s highl) tccr Chad Pel'J"l.K!..e1:" of the 40 s1tes acro\s the lak.e . expenmental. Although the) M1..,...,1..,..,1pp1 Rl\ cr Be,mlllicauon the .. We looked for a lot of differ ha,·e been pro\ en to effecti\ el) and Rc'>tOI"tlllon ProJect \\Ill be ent thmgs. but the mo~t Important reduce bullhead population on the featu red 'pe.1!..er l·nda) . thmg we did \.>\as to compare the \mailer lake.., up to 300 acres in Pegrac!..c "Ill .1l'o conduct a ·u~ number of recaptures (mar!..ed fish) s11e, the} ha\e not been tri ed on \.>\Orbhop Saturda) I·01 more dfe with the total number of unmar!..ed a scale that compares to Clear informauon about the proJect. go hun1 fi~h. What we found was carp and La!..e · s 3,600 acres. to \.>\ ww.clcann\er.... com COni bullhead populations are currently "Thi ~ isn't going to be a Rcgistrat ion for the event is are I tying up around 250 to 300 pound~ quick. fix, but it is a start," said $30 and i!'. due by No\. 8. To of biomass per acre." about half the Wahl. "Flathead catfi sh won't be learn more about IOWATER or lake's total carrying capaci ty. able to reproduce na turally in Keeper!'. of the Land. \ 1s1t their In an effort to reel uce 1h e Clear Lake:· he added. rcspecti\ e web ..,1 tc.., at • number of rough fish. the DNR " ) t flathead~ prove they can ww'' .iov.ater.nct or plans to release around 6,000 P actuall y Impact and reduce rough W\\ \\ .kccpcr...,oftheland.org For inch) flathead catfish into Clear n..,h populations. we' II be look.ing conference regl'>t rall on mforma Lake later this su mmer. An at regular maintenance <;toc!..ings ti on. cont act tefamc Fon·et at additional I 0.000 (8-inch) fingerl1ngs to !..eep them here:· (5 15)281-3 150or will be stocked during 2003. - LoH·e/1 Wa~hbum tefan 1e. Fo1Tct @dnr.<.,tate. ia.u<;. Deer, Fall Thrkey Licenses On Sale Now tl ce Resident licenses for the $26 and a resident fall turkey upcoming deer and fall turkey license 1s $23. The fall turkey seasons went on ale Aug. 3 and hunting season is open to Iowa un- hunters should consider buying residents onl y. Most deer and their' s early to avoid late season turkey hunters are also required . 22- rushes . to have a sma ll game hunting 1m Licenses can be purchased li cense and have paid the wildlife at any one of approximately 900 habitat fee. Exceptions are nt, Iicen se agents statevv ide or by explained in the booklet. R calling l-800-367-1188. Infor Plenty of nonresident mation on sea on dates an d antlerless-only deer licenses and license types are avai lable in the a handful of any-deer licenses 2002 Iowa Deer and Fall remain. Both license types are Turkey Hunting Regulations and available first come, first served License Instructions booklet until the quota is filled or the last Explore Iowa Parks a\ailable at the same license day of the sea on. whichever Promotion Nearing End agents and DNR offices ac ross comes fir t. Licenses may be Campers particspating in the ' the state. purchased by calling 1-800-367- DNR's Explore Iowa Parks :tland The booklet outlines what is 1188. promotion are reminded the required to hunt deer and turkey The 2002 Iowa Deer and Fall deadline for submitting entries is h oed in Iowa, license buying instruc Turkey Hunting Regulations and Oct. 31. Registration and infor e tions and regulations, including License Instructions booklet is mtural mational packets arc available at season dates and legal weapons. also available on the intemet at state park campgrounds. The All licenses with quotas arc sold www.state.ia.us/dnr/organi;a/ rule can also be found at first come, first served, until fwb/wi ldl ifc/pageslhunt in g.htm. wVvw.exploreiowaparks.com. tun- quotas are reached, Dec. 14. or Some hunters may also notice The promotion is de igned to the last day of the respective a difference in this year's license. entice campers to visit some of wn season, whichever comes first. Yellow tags are being phased in Iowa's les -used stat e parks. be There are 19 special deer to replace the standard white tag. Campers who visit at least four of hunts located in urban and county The change is being made for the 18 identified parks receive a area that provide additional deer safety reasons. White paper one-year subscription to the Iowa hunting opportunities. The stock. wi ll continue to be used Conservationist magazine. contacts and other requirements until all supplies are exhausted. Those who camp at six or more . are listed in the book.l et. Both tags will be valid for the also receive a state parks T -shirt . I I' A resident deer I icense costs upcoming hunting seasons. Those who camp at I 0 or more 0 will also be entered into a draw ~ or I E ·. ~·.. I ing for one of three grand prizes; he1r Iowa Dept ol Natural Resources Transportation Tag · ' 1• • • a Palomino tent trailer donated by Herold Trailer Sales of Indianola ~ "'[., ' & c •,. "' .. ~ £ W"'• . and MidAmerican Energy. a two For .. ~ t'!" ., .. ~ - ot V" ~ ~t: ,. .-..j r person Perception kayak donated 1u e ~ ~r t:rlr"-e~ ~ • ~rrna · by CanoeSport Outfiuers of t at Indianola, or seven ni ghts of free Turn 1n Poachers (T I P ) 1-800-532-2020 camping at state parks of choi ce. ja.u~. -- ONSERVATION UPDATE Deadline For Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards Approaching lov. a Citizen\, hu-.JllC\\e-. and orgamtation\ ha\ e untJ I )cpt. 27 to -.uhmJt apphcatJOil'l lm the 200' Go\ ern or's Em 1ronmcntal Excel lence Award-.. The av.. ard-. rccogn11e lo\\ans \\ho haYe de\elopcd rc"ult onented. ~u~tam,lhle \lldtcg1e~ to addre-.-. -.uch em tronmcntal concerns as \X.a\te reduction. renC\\able and clltcJent cnerg; \OuJ·cc-., natural rt.!..,ourcc protec Winter environmental education workshop will focus on Aldo tion and \tatewtdc em tronmental Leopold, whose ideas formed the groundwork for many education. conservation programs st1ll 1n use today. CommumttC\, local ....!!O\ em- ment-.. large and -.mall bu..,mc..,ses. Environmental Workshop Set For Jan. 10-12 At pubhc tnstitutton-., .tgriculture Springbrook Conservation Education Center operatiOns. non-profth and) outh I} organiLations that operate 111 Iowa "Leopold Legacy· Con'lerva A pre-conference Leopold a are encouraged to appl;, and tion WJ'Idorn Pa~t and Pre'lent" Education Project worh'ihop will applicant-. ma; \Ubmll ,111 apphca 1'1 the theme for thi~ year'\ aho be held Jan. I 0. tton for more than one d\\ ard em 1ronmental education \\OJl Regl'.. tratJon fee" are $'5 for categor). et ~hop 'lpon-.ored b; the IO\\ a the pre-conference \\Orkshop. A\\ards \\til he gl\cn 111 \IX h Con\en at1on Educauon Council. )55 for the ma1n conference and categoric\ dunng the 1002 cer The worhhop \\iII be held at $80 for lodg1ng and meals. RJ cmon): the environmental e\.cel the Spnngbrook Con~crvation Student\ enrolled in a teacher lcncc award. a ~pcc1al recognition Education Center Jan. I 0- 12. education program at an Iowa av. ard in water qualtt), -.pectal Featured -.peaker~ \x.ill be N1na college can attend for 'ii 15, and I~ recognition in \\a-.te m,magement Leopold Bradle). daughter of lov. a educator-. can recei\ e free -.pecwl recognillon 111 energy Aldo Leopold: Cm1 Memc of the graduate credit. ~ cflicienc) and rene\\ ,thle en erg) Sandhill Crane Foundation: and Partial funthng for the tb de' elopment. specwl rccogmtton in ~inger and songwriter Joe conference wa\ made pos~ible th air quality. and a -.pecJal recogni Paul kin. through a Resource Enhancement u~ tion award in habitat re-.toration The workshop will focu~ on and Protection Conservation Iowa's emironmental hi-.tory - Education Program grant. For and enhancement. Application-. may be obtained speCificall y the contributiOn\ of regi~tra t 1on mformation. contact b) contacting Bob Ca..,tcllme at low a'-. most famous con-.cn a the Bremer Count) E\.tension (5 15) 281-0879. or b) e-matl at t i om~t Aldo Leopold, who played Office at 319-882-4275: or by Bob.Castelline@ dnr.~ t atc. t a.us. a significant role in conserv1ng email at [email protected]. App li cation are al-.o mailable on native landscapes. Attending Co-spon~ors of the conference the DNR' website at educators wi ll learn how to foster include ISU Extension, North www .state.ia. us/d n r/a ward/ curiosity and understanding of Iowa Community College and the !n index.htm. I owa·~ land-.cape with \tudent-.. Linn County Con-.en ation Board. ol - - r's lence Upcoming NRC and EPC Meetings and The dates and locations have been set for the following meetings 27 to of the Natural Resource Commis ') sion and Environmental Protection xcel- Commission of the Iowa Depart ment of Natural Resources. wans Agendas are set approximately I 0 days prior to the scheduled meet ingdate. For additional inforn1ation. contact the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Wallace State Office Building. 502 E. 9'h St., Des otec '..... Moines. Iowa 50319-0034 . . ::: .r:; ntal Vl "2' Natural Resource u.c "c Commission: m- c"' e~ses. Sarah Dixon, third from left, celebrated a recent birthday October I 0 • with friends by cleaning up Southeast Riverfront Park in Carroll outh Des Moines. At far left is Des Moines River Water Trail November 14 Iowa activist Gerry Rowland who served as project leader. Neal Smith NWR tl Cleaning Up Is Dirty Work December 12 plica- Des Moines Sarah Dixon of the State Public Policy Group decided to cel ebrate her June 26 btrthday in a unique way. She gathered 18 of her colleagues to jo1n her after work to clean up the Southea'>t Environmental Protection ·er- Ri' erfront Park. located off S.E. 14th St., and the Haniet Street Commission: cel river access area, which is often u ed a~ an illegal dumping ground. ·nit ion Dixon and her friends cleared the access area of debris, includ ing a half submerged carpet piece and buried tires that challenged October 2 1 ial Des Moines both the strength and ingenuity of the crew. The upper levels of the !ment. November 18 park were al o gleaned for litter. The work pace wa~ brisk e\ en Des Moine~ erg) though the e\ening \\a'> steaming and the bug ... biting. By the end or December 16 tion in three hort hours. an impressive heap of junk wa ... gathered for pi ck De Moine up by a city crew the next morning. O!!OI- ~ Des Moines Ri ver Water Trail acti vist Gerry Rowland helped tion find the work si te and served as the project leader, wi th the help or the DNR Keepers of the Land Volunteer program. Rowland , an wined avid canoeist and kayaker, often uses the acces~ to float down to eat Yellow Banks Park and beyond with other ri\er trail enthu iasts. jlat and ha organized <.,everal cleanup at thi s site. Des Moines Parks a.u~. and Recreation <.,tafT coordinated the pick up of the trash. ble on For more information on the Des Moines Ri ver Water Trail. go to www.desmoinesri ver.org. For information on the DNR Keepers of the Land vo lunteer program go to www.kcepersoftheland.org. - ARDEN'S DIARY ' Simpler Times -.11nplc plca..,ure he took in it? harsh wint~r and wet "J1ring. I Can ) ou under'>tand the memo \\a.., often a""ed. ·'\\here did the nc'> he mu'>t trea"iure? How b1rd.., go,. I U\Uall} responded . .- I many of Ll'> \tarted that way? "H I he Ihe nder ~ -sets of aer- lesired The Foxes ~The 1e . and The • tho-,e 1 that Hounds j wn~ This 1940s-vintage forgot photograph shows Walter Hill, and left, and Jewell Hill posing with the their three hounds following a 1e I successful hunt near plore a McCallsburg. The photo was ) back submitted by Roger A. Hill , a breeze free-lance photographer from II Roland who regularly Jl contributes to this magazine. e.·1 ir. I ten I at abOUt l"Jke me fishmg. ~o I'lJ aJways remember you. I ~~ I I 'li I I Ill ' \r "- T Enjoy Fishing in Iowa's State Parl