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Vacation (7) Camping at Clear Lake 10 Years Ago (Page 6) Pago 2 I 0 W A C 0 N S E R VAT I 0 N I S T
Iowa Conservationist Vol. 29 May, 1970 No. 5 Publ1shed monthly by the lowo Conservo tion Com miss on, State Office Building 3 0 4tn Street, Des Moines, lowo 50319. Address all mail (subscriphons. NORTHERN PIKE or MUSKY? chonge of oddress, Form 3579. monuscripts, moil .terns} to the obo\le oddress. Subscription price: two years at $1.00 Attention Io,,a anglers can ~ou dif and therefore t'allnot alwa\ s be depended Second closs post11ge p11 id ot Des Moines, Iowa ferentiate between a northern pike and upon. Mu skies arc usuall~ olive to dark (No Rights Reserved} a muskellunge? As these t\\O species a re J.!Ta~ "ith tiger-like markings on the side~. Robert D. Ray, Governor quite similar in appearance it is impor tant The northern pike are normally a bluish Fred A. Pnewert, D rect for anglers to know the identifkation dif g 1et!n to gra~ on the hack \\ ith irregular MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION ferences or the} could possible \iolate the rows of light ivory colored spots on the KEITH A M NURLEN Cho rn ,n . Ames Jaw. Correct identification is necessary sides running length'"ise. EARL A. JARV S. Vice Choirman . .Wilton Junction because of difterent opening fishing dates, JI M D. BIXLER ...... Council Bluffs limits and a mtnimum length r estriction l\1uskies are a'ailable in Clear Lake, JOAN GEISLER ...... Dubuque East and \Vest Okoboji with the season LES LICKLIDER ...... -- ...... Cherokee on muskies. WILLIAM E NOBLE ...... Oelwein One of the surest differences between opening l\Iay 15 and continuing through No\·ember ~0- A length limitation of 30 l0\\3, ED Wt:INHE MER ...... Greenfield the t" o species is the scales on the checks inches or longer must be attained in order its 0\\D. and g ill covers. The muskie has scales only David R. Evans, Editor on the upper half of the cheek and upper to be a legal catch. A daily and possession Rim Roger Sparks, Manoging Editor limit of one muskie is allowed. Julius Satre, C~r· ul11tion Manoger half of the gill cover. Northern pike's ber, 'P8 Wayne Lenning , Photogropher checks arc fully scaled while the gill CO\er The northern pike season in IO\\a's heritage -- millions. CIRCULATION ...... -- ...... 70,000 1s scaled on the upper half Another dis natural lakes is open from May 2 to tinguishable difference is the underside Febr uary 28, 1971. The daily limit is And COMMISSION MINUTES of the lower jaw of the two fi sh. Northern three. There are no weight or length his thoue haYe fi,·e holes on each side of the Jaw re st ri ct i on~. Northerns have a continuous million March 3, 1970 whereas muskies have six to eight. open ::;eason in all waters of the state ex It's th De s Moines, Iowa The coloration of the two fi sh Yaries cept the natural lakes. Count A 39-acre land purchase option on the -the en Walters Creek \Vatershed, Adams County, littering was accepted. Who il Accepted an option for 195 acres on the Well · Big Creek Lake Project. won't h' Approved the following project pro stayed tc posals and project amendment request for me55? I submission of the Bureau of Outdoor look aroa Recreation: Pocahontas County Conser va Ins tea tion Board, Northwest Recreational Area, k!t's Development; Sioux City, Floyd National blanket~ Historical Landmark, Development; Sioux I City, Northside Playground, Acquisition n fron of one-half acre and development; Well Entrai man, Community Park, Deve lopment area spoj (project amendment). l\IU J{ELLUNGE , Food I Approved Policy 47 concerning retire ~unks a ment. Revised policy r eads as follows : AYOU! "All Commission employees are encour ~I'Yin~t. aged to retire f rom permanent employ hl>at, it ment at age 65, however, mandatory r e glass. tirement shall be age 70. There "Conservation employees reaching age ~gainst t sixty-five who desire to continue to work lllade bel in a permanent position with the Com Polluters mission must have a physical examination Memorial Park Addition. ser vation Commission that these cooper Possible 1 administered by a physician of the Com The following County Conservation ative efforts along with written accounts mission's choice at the Commission's cost Board Development plans were approved: s uch as may be found in the January, 1970 Ilo\\~· stating that the employee is capable of Scott County, Scott County Park Revision; issue of the IOWA SOIL CONSERVATIONIST lllent offil performing all assigned duties. Physical Van Buren County, Morris Memorial concerning the watershed of Lake Geode litterb~~ examinations are required each year of an Park. is the surest guarantee that these lakes . But, it employee between the ages of 65 and 70. Increased the total commitment of the will provide wholesome outdoor recreation han to ct "Physicals may also be required of an State Conservation Commission on the for the citizens of Iowa for many years about it. employee if the individual is not per Walters Creek Watershed to $301,000. to come." Our gJ forming his assigned duties because of Approved the following resolution, Approved the expenditure of $5,000 of ~re oi physical ailments. 11The State Conservation Commission Fish and Game Funds toward the recon lr~s ettor "E mployees in ..,.ood stnnding who de of the State of Iowa does hereby wish to struction of the Humboldt Dam, the re ~ackage I sire to retire at age 65 \Vill be encouraged commend the State Soil Conservation mainder of the cost to be borne by the f trash to work for the Commi~ ion in a tempo Committee of Iowa, its staff, and various Humboldt County Conser vation Board and beer ra rary or seasonal position.' soil (ltstricls throughout the State for the the local subscriptions. lllatred. The following County Conservation efiort .,. and assistance put f orth by them Established the opening dates of the The c' Board Land Acquisition ProJ ects were in encouraging landowners within the 1970 deer hunting seasons as follows: Lttthr· l Jgb approved: Chickasaw County ConsPrva wallm~hE>ds of State owned lakes to apply Bow and arrow season, September 26. ~enerati( tion Board, Wapsic Ri\'er Access Addi soil eros on and other conservation prac Gun season, Det'<'mber 5. Recommenda Get a I tion; Sioux County, Big Sioux Park tice~ to their land. t ions on all other regulations will be pre hut it , Addition; Van Buren County, Morris Furthermore, it is the view of the Con- sented to the Commission at a later date. longer Ill.!u, IOWA CONSERVATIONIST Page 3
ITORIAL
the Beautiful? or by Richard Ranney the Ugly? The memory of the past hunting sea son is still fresh in mind: The quiet joy by David Evans of sitting in a squirrel timber in Septem ber, or dosing in a goose pit on a warm Iowa, bounded by two of the nation's greatest rivers, enjoys a umque beauty all October afternoon. The excitement of its own. the pheasant and quail as they rise in River bluffs and prairies, caves and windswept hills, natural lakes and native tim startled escape on a brisk November day. ber, sparkling streams and rich rolling farmlands. This is our outdoor heritage. A The hunting of rabbits or watching a heritage of beauty to be proud of. These natural resources provide recreation for deer glide away on silent hoofs in an millions. early December snow. This is part of And yet, in the midst of all this natural beauty there resides a spoiler. ·who, with the memory of the hunting season passed. his thoughtlessness, can undo in a single moment what mother nature has done in a Each require a hunting license and some million years? Who can wreck the carefully planned work of conservationists? extra equipment to pursue for sport in the outdoors. It's the litterbug. Now the season near at hand, which Count the bottles, soft drink cups, cans, papers, food wrappers, cigarette packages does not require a license or anything -the endless array of trash which litters our land and water. Actually, it goes beyond special, is the morel mushroom season. littering. It's pollution. There is no bag or possession limit and Who is this villi an committing these horrible acts? the time to hunt is set by Mother Nature. Well, it could be you. How many times have you thought, "one little piece of paper Mushrooms can not run and hide or fly won't hurt", and gone ahead and tossed it out the window? How many times have you away. Noise does not frighten them or stayed too late at a campsite and hurrying to get home neglected to clean up the make them spooky. Some people take a mess? Multiply this moment of carelessness a thousand times over and then take a portable radio, a camera, lunch and the look around. We reap what we sow. kids. It's ideal time to loaf along a Instead of "America The Beautiful", it will become "America The Ugly". wooded creek and enjoy Mother Nature's Let's take a look at some examples of littering. Refuse, scattered by the wind, spring flowers, birds and wildlife. The blankets a fie ld of wildflowers. Once a brilliant work of mother nature's art, its now stems are as good to eat as the sponge lost from view, covered with t rash. top so cut them off at ground level. A Boy Scout pocket knife is excellent for Entrails from fish left on the bank of a river draw flies. The smell permeates the this purpose. Don't forget a sack, or a area spoiling what was once an angler's de light. plastic bag, or you might end up with a Food scraps, left from a park picnic, attract some mighty upwelcome visitors buttoned shirt with the sleeves tied in a skunks and raccoons. knot to hold the treasure. Mushrooms A young child splashes in the water on the beach. Suddenly she runs from the water are a joy to hunt, a delicacy to eat and crying. A piece of glass has badly lacerated her foot. Someone tossed a bottle from a a snap to prepare. boat, it washed up on the beach and was broken. The child stepped on the razor sharp Cut the mushrooms in half lengthwise glass. from the top to the stem. Wash and There is one very elemental and important factor to stress regarding littering. It's rinse several times and soak in a pan of against the law. Littering pollutes the land and water, destroys the natural and man cold salt water while preparing the rest made beauty of Iowa and is dangerous to both humans and wildlife. Litterbugs, like of the ingredients. Roll soda crackers polluters, must be brought before a court of justice. Unfortunately, it's virtually im out on a piece of wax paper. Beat six possible to patrol every inch of public land and water in the state. eggs with a fork and add % cup of milk. However, increased efforts will be made to apprehend the litterbug. Law enforce Remove the mushrooms from the salt ·p ment officers will patrol public lands and waters to stop the frightful activities of the water and freshen. Dip in eggs and milk rr litterbug. and roll in cracker crumbs. Fry to a golden brown at medium hot fire on a le But, it's also up to all the citizens of Iowa. You can make a tremendous contribu grill or in a skillet. Most any kind of tion to conservation. Don't litter. Encourage anti-litter campaigns. Tell your friends about it. shortening can be used, butter, oleo or bacon fat to name a few. Salt and pepper Our great natural resources will not be here to enjoy in the future if we don't take to taste. Serve them with most any type care of them today. It only requires a minute to clean up a campsite. If takes even of main dish from pancakes to pot roast. less effort to place an empty beer or soda can in a litterbag. Jam that empty cigarette Mushrooms are rich and delicious. I package back in your pocket rather than drop it on the ground. If you don't dispose know, for this is one of the reasons I never of trash in the proper manner, quicker than it takes to light a cigarette or empty a lost my baby fat. beer can, the area is a wasteland of litter. And another part of our heritage is marred. The citizens of Iowa are honor-bound to protect this natural heritage that is our be birthright. It's our responsibility to make sure that Iowa will be beautiful for future ~ : generations. !6. Don't be a Ia· Get a litterbag. Use it. Clean up areas. The fight against litter is a constant one, ·e but it must be won. The scenic wonders of nature will not be ours to enjoy much te. longer unless we join the battle against littering and pollution. LITTERBUG! Page 4 IOWA CONSERVATIONIST
Lake Ahquabi '' •
by Sonny Satre Thirty-five years ago- the year 1935 to highway 349 JUSt west of the Junction of cated. Something new was also don• h infc be precise Ahquabi State Park received U. S. highways 65 and 69. which added approximately 4,000 feet ol ke Ahq~ its intriguing name. A young lady from shoreline for Ahquabi anglers. Thirtee1 r. ~ for Looking around the timbered country 1 f are Norwalk learned of the term and placed side of the park it's easy to visualize jetties were constructed which extenc 0 it in competition in the naming of a new Indians holding council around their 50 to 150 feet out into the lake, forminJ • and ' slate park. Her choice won the ten dol camp fires under many of the majestic convenient fishing piers. '1hese m
Iowa Trout Fishing • • •
The Old
and
The New
Trout aren't new to Iowa. Brook trout These hatcheries raise mostly rainbows were native to a few, sma ll spring fed and browns to an eating size of about streams in northeast Iowa long before 10 to 15 inches before stocking. the white man came. Rainbows, browns Until 1953 Iowa had an open trout and brookies have been cultured here season only during the summer. Trout since the first state hatchery was estab were stocked in large numbers only once lished at Anamosa in 1873. or twice a year, mainly for an "elbow to Trout and even salmon were stocked elbow" opening day crowd. After the in all major streams and lakes in the first few weeks populations of trout state before 1900, but it soon became could get pretty thin. Moreover, much apparent t hat only in clear, cold-water of the trout water flows across private streams could trout survive. For this land, and owners understandably could reason, trout were, and still are stocked not tolerate the large crowds. only in northeast Iowa's spring dotted But now, with a year-round open sea ace'' hill country. Here, amid the rugged son, trout are stocked every week of the r beauty of timbered hillsides and lime warm months for a well-balanced, put stone bluffs, trout find the stream condi and-take program. Last year over a tions tolerable. quarter of a million trout were stocked Trout require, among other conditions, in northeast Iowa. Little wonder Iowa's d ~r information. a cold water environment. Generally trout fishing is growing in popularity. e Ahquabi is a favorite picnic speaking, warmer water has less oxygen Except for a few la rger streams, most ds for many central Iowa people. and their somewhat primative respiratory of Iowa's trout waters pose some prob are over 240 well shaded picnic system cannot withstand the warm tem lems. Most of them are quite small and and approximately 120 fireplaces peratures of most Iowa waters during barring continuous heavy rainfall, ex 10se from. For large groups such the summer. tremely clear. Trout hide under snags ge nily reunions there are two types In 1931, the first streams tests were and undercut banks of pools and spook ~r e •lter s available-open or enclosed. taken by Iowa Conservation Commission easily. Long casts aren't needed here, \Tl •en shelter is available on a first personnel evaluating the suitabili ty of and short accurate "flips" of small lures ais: first serve basis while reservations many northeast Iowa streams and rivers or baits produce best. e ll be made through the park officer for trout habitat. This advanced the Considering a ll, the $3 trout stamp is • ntal of the enclosed style . trout stocking program far ahead of the a real bargain! e Ahquabi has several miles of "dump 'em in and see if they live" er a. ~ trails for the naturalist minded. Fisheries biologists have conducted these of the wild fl owers and plants you tests periodically ever since, judging not bserve while hiking on a trail in only temperature but such factors as trillium, dutchman's breeches, vio clarity, current, riffles, pools, cover, erns, jack-in-the-pulpit, sweet wil shade, and food availability. Fishing may apple and Iowa's offi cial state pressur e and the carrying capacity of t he -the wild rose. If you are careful stream affect the number of fis h stocked. 1ake little noise you may catch a Presently there are about 45 streams in ;e of a fl eet footed whitetail deer. nine northeastern counties which meet wildlife creatures that reside at the suitability r equirements and are <\hquabi are squirrels, quail, foxes, stocked. That adds up to more than 150 s, opossums, raccoons, waterfowl, miles of trout fi shing ! ell sea; , owls and a variety of song birds. The trout stockin g program has ntally, all Iowa state pat·ks are wild changed greatly. As compared to t he ~s b fuges. original hatchery at Anamosa, trout are ~ to .Mw your next outing escapade, try now r eared at three state-owned hatch <\hquabi, you will find the trip well eries at Decorah, at Backbone State a. I while. Park, and at Big Springs near Elkader. JJIS ~ IOWA CONSERVATION I ST Overcrowding Could Ruin Iowa's Campgrounds
lls fair to say that in recent years QUAL1TY l\IUST BE PROVIDED the camping equipment industry has No one would camp on a garbage flou r ished. Exploded might be a bellcr clum}l, or in a muddy vacant lot in the word. More and more people look for heart of a huge overcrowded city. To word to relaxing weekends in the out keep our state-owned campgrounds from of-doors away from overcrowded cities. acqlllrmg ::;orne of these characteristics, Iowa, like e\·ery other state in the the number of users must be limited. union feels the growing strain of an Overuse, or quantity-at-all-costs camp other area of overcrowding, the over ing \\ ould e\·entually end up in no camp used campground. ing al all! Iowa's camping facilities were on<;e Our state parks and camping areas Iowa Conse1 vation Commission feels considered "abundant." Later, \\hen require a great deal of time, effort, and that, under the circumstances, the best many sections of the country were no money to keep them from deterioration way to attack the overcrowding problem longer able to provide enough room and to the point of little value. The old is to "determine an absolute maximum facilities for those who wanted them, phrase "a ::;titch in time sa\.eS nine" number of people that the campground Iowans still found facilities "adequate." must ha\'e been coined by a park officer, can accommodate and then close the Now, overcrowding problems ha\ e called \\ orry111g about the maintenance and up gates when its full." for some new lines of thought. keep of a park. But trying to maintain Iowans are fortunate in having the DO IOWANS WANT QUANTITY OH. the beauty of an overcrowded camping kinds of scenic areas suitable for state QUALITY CAMPING? a rea is futile. parks. But if you get turned away from The obvious answer is both. People Other slates have tried lo solve the one of Iowa's campgrounds this summer, want quantity: room for all complete problem in other ways. Some "rotate" remember it's necessary to retain that with showers, shelters, latrines, and campmg areas just as the farmer ro scenic beauty. trash cans. They also want quality: all tates crops. One area is left idle for a The list to the right indicates the the natural scenic beauty and wildlife, year allowing vegetation to come back great boom in camping in our state and also personnel to operate and man while another area is over used. This parks. " Individuals" refers to the num age them. plan calls for twice as many areas. ber of people camping during each par But it's not that simple. Camping is Another state allows camping mostly ticular year, "areas" refers to the num booming. The high cost of land and the h)- a "reservations only" setup. ber of campgrounds available during desire for own-ers to hang on to it make .] oe Brill, supervisor of parks for the that year . it impossible for the state to acquire areas fast enough to keep up with the demands. County Conservation Board Parks with the help of the BOR fund have helped tremendously. But these programs have limits, and still the gap between need and acquisition widens. Can In the past the general policy for man aging Iowa's state-owned camping areas \E \R has been to provide overflow areas for 1946 use during the short peak season; "Make 1947 room f or 'em as they come in." But the 1948 "peak season" now lasts all spring, sum 1949 mer, and fall and the overnow areas are 1950 often "overflowing"! 1951 SHOULD WE PROVIDE MORE 1952 OVERFLOWS? 1953 1954 We must look at camping as a recrea 1'.... tional "use of the land", just as growing Ji)i) corn is a "use of the land." Research 1956 19·~ shows that one acre of campground ;:,, can only accommodate so many users. 1~5 Ground around a tree can be trampled l959 and packed until the tree dies. Grasses H'60 and other vegetation can wear thin and l~Gl die, if over used. Littering, vandalism :~6·> and even serious crime follow. Life mu st 1~6~ seek other sanctions. In general, over 1~61 1965 crowding and overuse leads to the ulti 19n mate destruction of the very thing t hal 6 makes camping popular in the first place, Hlii7 the natural scenery and beauty of the 19Gs La test campers are homier," but take up more s pace. 1969 outdoors. IOWA CO N SER VA TI ON I ST Page 7
by P hyllis Harr is \\'alk up the dock with a basket full of people have been known to use bits of Ictalurus melas and you will be the envy beefsteak and I once knew an avid fish of every fisherman there. If that state erwoman who landed three large bull ment has no meaning, it might interest heads on one white licorice gum drop. you to know that an Ictalurus melas and Of course this is not the recommended a black bullhead are one and the same. appetite teaser for these fish, but if you This species of fish is found abundant are ever caught in a predicament when ly in the cool, blue, lake waters of north the bullheads are biting hard and fast ern Iowa. A pan of fresh fried bullheads and you have just run out of bait, it may be enhanced with a bit of tartar might help to have a soggy 'ole gum d sauce or fresh lemon, but combined with drop in your pocket. ~ a baked potato and green salad, the Equipment used for catching the bull black bullhead of Iowa can satisfy the head is quite minimal. The majority of e appetite of most ardent anglers. fishermen utilize the bait casting rod t The Ictalurus melas is the most com and reel while some old-timers still pre m mon of the three species of bullheads fer the cane pole. I remember as a child ~r, found in Iowa. li is dark olive to black I caught my share of bullheads using a in color and its belly varies from white limber walnut pole freshly cut from the to yellow. It can be distinguished from river bank. the other two bullheads by the light Occasionally corks are used, but most color band at the base of the tail fin and anglers know the bullhead feeds on the the 17 to 20 rays in the anal fin. The bottom. If you're fishing from the shore, ~: black bullhead is rarely ever mottled in a small lead weight will insure proper 111- color. casting distance and keep the bait near r Of the brown, yellow and black, the the bottom of the lake. latter bullhead is considered the "runt" Long thin hooks, usually from No. 6 of the family. Although in the larger • to No. 2, are employed. Because bull- lakes of northern Iowa, many of them heads are eager and vigorous biters and will weigh two pounds or more. Upkeep cos ts are high. often swallow the bait, a pair of pliers In weedy or muddy shallow areas the or a good hook disgorger is a must item female will produce on the average of for your tackle box. two to six thousand eggs. I n saucer Campers vs. Areas shaped nests of mud the incubation pe If you are considered an old-timer at riod is completed in a week or less. fishing, you already are aware of a brisk spring evening mingled with the scent YEAR INDIVIDUALS AREAS Many small children have been enchant of bullheads f r yin' in the pan. But if 1946 ed watching the ball-like school of bull 13,145 28 you're the guy who is a lways looking for, 1947 head darting erratically near the shore 6,763 26 yet never finds the time to fish, I'll let 1948 line. 8,019 23 you in on a secret. Chuck that briefcase, 1949 Some people lean toward sunrise fish 7,863 25 close up shop, forget about those storm 1950 ing for bullheads, some like late after 10,118 33 windows and keep that promise you've 1951 noon; while others prefer night fishing 13,005 31 been making to yourself every spring. 1952 13,484 for this succulent dish. But when the 28 Just pile the children in the car, tell 1953 16,964 bullheads a re biting, everyone from 30 Mother to pack a few sandwiches and 1954 26,084 Grandpa to three-year-old Johnny can 34 head the family car northward. The kids 1955 40,845 experience the t h r i 1 I of "Bullhead 32 may have to stop at every service station 1956 47,336 Fever." T hough while sitting in a boat 33 and the wife may rebuke vou about those 1957 65,324 with three other anglers, you might find . . 34 windows, but by Saturday morning you, 1958 95,958 yourself fishing under hazardous condi 36 too, will possess the thrill of "Bullhead 1959 135,264 tions. You're either being slapped in the I 37 Fever." 1960 166,476 39 face with a cold, wei bullhead or nurs 1961 160,569 41 ing a sore finger. For in the flurry of Whether you plan a week-end outing 1962 215,396 40 your excitement you can easily be horned or a week's vacation, the Great Lakes of I 1963 285,873 42 by this acquatic creature. But don't be Northern Iowa will give you, your fam 1964 346,959 43 discouraged. .Just wrap your handker ily and f riends that memorable "time-of 1 1965 386,778 44 chief a round t he wound, chuck another your-life" in bullhead fishing. And if I 1966 406,381 44 worm on the hook and soon you'll be you're so inclined, you might tuck a good 1967 t184,858 48 pulling in another Tetalurus melas. book in the glove compartment and stash 1968 433,679 45 T he most popular bait for bullheads is a few licorice gum drops in the tackle 1969 439,082 45 earth wor ms or night crawlers. Some box. Page 8 IO WA CONSERVA T IO N IST
,
Tips
Iowa opportJ ment acre' natural
by Sonny , atr e way of controlling certain species. If the indigestible portions such as bones. From his \ antage point high on a small rodents didn't ha\e predators their fur and teeth are formed into compact lofty branch of a dead elm, a red-tailed presence would be much more numerous pellets. In order to make room for more hawk st:anned the grassy slopes within and damage caused by these pests would food, the pellets are forced up from the his glaring \'iew for some unusual moYe be excessh·eh higher. crop b} must:ular <.'ontractions and out ment. Approximately 75 :) ards away a \\'hilc the ha,vks are a da~ lime feed through the owls mouth. Pellets are field mouse scurried about w search f01 er, owls "ork the night shift. With the common)} found under an owl roost, food. The mouse unknov.. · ingl~ had made beneficial 0\\1 around, mice and other whi<.h often are conifer trees. Studies of a fatal mistake. The hawk's binocular nuisanee animals must be alert from dusk these pellets have shown that they con \'ision detected the mo\·ement and he to dawn or they "ill contribute quitkly sist primarily of rodents. swiftly swooped silently do"·n upon the to his diet. Like the hawk, some species .1\lany species of hawks and owls are mouse and ~ank sharp talons into the of owls ha,·e preyed on domestic fowl or found in Iowa. Owls which are most \'JCtim causing an mstant death. After game but their usefulness in destroying common are the great-horned, barred. the mouse was quickly deYoured the ha\\ k rodents far outweighs their bad habits. screech and short-eared. Other less fre returned to his sentr~ post to wail for Decause of a peculiar digesti' e sys quent species are the barn, long-eared. another meal prospect. tem, an owls diet can be deter mined by saw-whet and snowy owls. This sequence is routme and repeated wildlife technicians. The smaller ani The most common ha" k resident is often in a hawk's daily search for food. mals which the owl preys upon are swal the red-tailed. Among other ha,,ks which To some people this t~ pe of predation lo\ved "hole. The flesh of the swallowed migrate into hawkeye land include the sounds very cruel but this is nature's creature is digested and absorbed while Cooper's, sharp-shinned, marsh, red shouldered, broad-v.ringed and rough legged. The sparrow hawk is quite eom mon throughout Iowa also but this small flighty bird of prey is actually a mem ber of the falcon family. Just in case your wondering ... ch icken hawks and hoot owls are misused slang expressions. Iowa's 63rd General Assembly passed legislation which now protects a ll hawks and owls in Iowa. Prior to this new law. a lI hawks and owls were protected ex cept the shar p-shinned hawk. Cooper's hawk and the great-horned owl. Because too many hawks and owls other than the unproteeled species were being shot due to identification problems this law was deemed necessar y. Th rough t h is legis lation, t hese per cepth e raptor~ hopefully will sur vive mankind's progr essive environmental changes f or generations t o come.