DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a comprehensive program to teach skills needed to hunt upland game. This program is geared towards women 18 years of age and older who have had little to no upland bird hunting experience. The workshop is also an excellent opportunity for women looking to return to the field and build a network of female upland hunters.

The program includes a classroom portion and a field portion. The classroom portion is scheduled for Nov. 18, from 6-8 p.m., at the Olofson Shooting Range, in Polk City. Participants will learn about the proper equipment, places to hunt, safe shooting practices, and how to field dress, butcher and cook pheasants. The event also includes mentored hunts on Nov. 19 and Dec. 10, at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, near Prairie City. “For women interested in the challenge of upland hunting as a means of sourcing their own protein, this program provides the opportunity to learn the skills and knowledge it takes to do it all yourself,” said Jamie Cook, program coordinator with the Iowa DNR.

The cost for the program is $45. Participants will receive a hat, vest and a Pheasants Forever membership provided by the Northern Polk Pheasants Forever Chapter. Space is limited so early registration is encouraged. For more information and to begin the registration process, go to http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=dep4qyuab&oeidk=a07ej9evnm1668f8d0b

The program is provided through a partnership with the Iowa DNR and Pheasants Forever. It is part of a national effort to recruit, retain and reactivate hunters due to the overall decline in hunting and outdoor recreation.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Eighteen lakes across Iowa are gearing up to receive trout this fall. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will release between 1,000 to 2,000 rainbow trout at each location as part of its cool weather trout program that brings trout to areas that cannot support them during the summer months.  “Grab your neighbors, friends and kids and try trout fishing this fall,” said Joe Larscheid, chief of the Iowa DNR Fisheries Bureau. “It’s time well spent. The fish are here, easy to catch and good to eat.”

The fall community trout stockings are a great place to take kids to catch their first fish. A small hook with a night crawler or corn under a small bobber or small simple spinners such as a Panther Martin or Mepps is all you need to get in on the fun. Bringing trout to cities and towns offers a “close to home” option for Iowans who might not travel to northeast Iowa to discover trout fishing. A family friendly event is often paired with the stocking to help anglers have success and fun while fishing.

The popular program is supported by the sales of the trout fee. Anglers need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. The daily limit is five trout per licensed angler with a possession limit of 10. Children age 15 or younger can fish for trout with a properly licensed adult, but they must limit their catch to one daily limit. The child can purchase a trout fee which will allow them to catch their own limit.

2022 Fall Community Trout Stocking Schedule

Oct. 19, Heritage Pond, Dubuque, 3 p.m.

Oct. 19, North Prairie Lake, Cedar Falls, 3 p.m.

Oct. 20, Moorland Pond, Fort Dodge, 1 p.m.

Oct. 20, Sand Lake, Marshalltown, 1 p.m.

Oct. 21, Liberty Centre Pond, North Liberty, 9:30 a.m.

Oct. 21, Ottumwa Park Pond, Ottumwa, 10:30 a.m.

Oct. 22, Discovery Park, Muscatine, 9:30 a.m.

Oct. 22, East Lake Park Pond, Mount Pleasant, 10 a.m.

Oct. 22, Wilson Lake, Fort Madison, 11 a.m.

Oct. 24, Bacon Creek, Sioux City, 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 27, Lake Petocka, Bondurant, Noon

Oct. 27, Terra Lake, Johnston, Noon

Oct. 28, Triumph Park West, Waukee 11:30 a.m.

Oct. 28, Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake, Ames, Noon

Oct. 28, Big Lake, Council Bluffs, 2:30 p.m.

Nov. 5, Scharnberg Pond, Spencer, 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 18, Prairie Park (Cedar Bend), Cedar Rapids, 10 a.m.

Nov. 23, Blue Pit, Mason City, 11 a.m.

Find more information about trout fishing in community lakes on the DNR trout fishing webpage.

(Statewide News) – Iowa’s 2022 pheasant season is expected to be another good one when more than 60,000 plus blaze orange clad hunters take to the fields on Oct. 29. And based on the results of the August pheasant survey, hunters can afford to be optimistic. “Our bird numbers are similar to last year so that should make some folks pretty happy,” said Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife research biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “I think we’re set up for a good hunting year for pheasants, especially in northwest, west central and north central regions. Central too. Quail is also looking good in southwest and south-central Iowa.”

The annual August roadside survey found Iowa’s statewide pheasant population to be essentially unchanged from 2021 at slightly under 20 birds per 30-mile route. Iowa’s pheasant counts mirrored what was happening across much of the pheasant belt. North Dakota and Nebraska were essentially status quo – like Iowa, Minnesota was slightly higher and Kansas was down due to the drought. South Dakota doesn’t conduct population surveys. Based on the survey results, Iowa hunters can expect to harvest 300,000 to 400,000 roosters this year, which is similar to last year, when the harvest was the highest in more than a decade.

The pheasant harvest is heavily dependent on hunter numbers and the past two years had the highest number of pheasant hunters since 2009. An estimated 63,000 hunters participated in 2021, a slight increase over 2020, and based on the number of phone calls Bogenschutz is receiving, the interest from nonresidents continues to rise. “I’ve gotten calls from hunters in Tennessee, Alabama, Michigan, New York – all interested in coming out to pheasant hunt,” he said. While bird counts were not as high as the top regions, the pheasant populations have improved in the east central and southeast regions. Something to note, he said, is that portions of western and northwestern Iowa impacted by the drought were opened to haying CRP and while the haying was not likely as wide spread as last year, it would still be advised for hunters to scout the area they plan to hunt prior to the season.

Based on the August roadside survey, Iowa pheasant hunters can expect similar hunting as 2021, when they harvested the most birds in more than a decade. Iowa’s pheasant season is Oct. 29-Jan. 10, 2023. Photo courtesy of the Iowa DNR.

Iowa’s pheasant season is Oct. 29-Jan. 10, 2023, shooting hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The daily bag limit is three rooster pheasants with a possession limit of 12. Hunters must have a valid hunting license and habitat fee. Hunters are required to wear at least one article of external clothing with at least 50 percent of its surface area solid blaze orange: hat, cap, vest, coat, jacket, sweatshirt, shirt or coveralls. The same blaze orange rule applies while hunting quail, gray partridge and ruffed grouse. If hunting on public land that requires nontoxic shot, hunters are encouraged to plan ahead to pick up shells.

Iowa’s young hunters will get to experience the first cackle and flush of the year during the youth only pheasant season Oct. 22-23, and the 2022 season should be good. The residents-only youth season gives Iowans age 15 and younger the opportunity to hunt for rooster pheasants without purchasing a license, habitat fee or taking hunter education. Youths must hunt under direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older that has a valid hunting license and habitat fee. Last year, nearly 6,000 youth participated, harvesting more than 2,500 roosters. Special youth only seasons allows young hunters an opportunity for success without pressure or competition from other hunters. Only the youth are allowed shoot pheasants and they may bag one rooster per day.

Iowa hunters have been using the interactive Iowa hunting atlas to find new places to go hunting. The hunting atlas features more than 680,000 acres of public hunting land that is owned by the state, county or federal governments. It’s available online at www.iowadnr.gov/hunting.

ATLANTIC, IA – This Thursday, October 13, is the last Produce in the Park farmers market of the season. Load up on fall produce and other local foods and fall crafts, and don’t miss trick-or-treating. Vendors and visiting organizations will be handing out treats to both kids and adults. Costumes are optional but encouraged, and musicians, vendors, and representative from visiting organizations are likely to be seen wearing something festive. October sponsor the Atlantic Elks Lodge will be offering free cupcake decorating for kids.

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This week at the market shoppers can expect to find a variety of squashes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, green onions, red onions, beets, watermelon, garlic, parsley, and possibly carrots, bok choi, tomatoes, peppers, and green beans. That’s a lot of local produce and a reminder that the growing season in Iowa extends well into fall. In addition to produce, there will be lots of local meat, honey, granola, and baked goods. A new product this week is popcorn on the cob from Corn 4 a Cause. Popcorn can be popped right off the cob in the microwave.

Expect lots of seasonal crafts at the last market in the park, including fall candles and wax melts, fall bath and body products, and spooky jewelry. This week’s food truck is Zemog’s Cocina.

Details for Produce in the Park October 13: Time: 4:30-6:30 PM
Location: Atlantic City Park (10 W. 7th St. Atlantic, IA 50022)
Trick-or-Treat Night at the Park for both kids and adults, costumes welcome!
Food Truck: Zemog’s Cocina Taco Truck
Produce: Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Watermelon, Aronia Berries, Red Onions, Green Onions, Radishes, Cabbage, Beets, Shallots, Eggplant, Garlic, Potatoes, Kale, and more!
Farm Favorites: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Lamb, farm-fresh eggs, honey, granola, tea made with local herbs, popcorn on the cob
Desserts: Kringle, sweet breads, crisps
Crafts: fall-scented candles, bath and body products, art prints, spooky jewelry, and more
Cupcake Decorating with Atlantic Elks
Visiting organizations including: Cass County Master Gardeners, Atlantic Parks and Recreation
Live Music (expect costumes): Lisa Johnston and Jeremie Faga

Payment methods accepted: All vendors accept cash. Many accept credit cards, Venmo, and Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Senior and WIC checks. All qualifying food vendors accept SNAP/EBT (also known as food stamps). All fresh produce vendors both accept and distribute Double Up Food Bucks (coupons given for SNAP/EBT purchases of fresh produce).

Produce in the Park October 2022 farmers markets are sponsored by the Atlantic Elks Lodge, the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission, Cass Health, Cass County Tourism, First Whitney Bank and Trust, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, and Deter Motor Co.

(Radio Iowa) – Some Iowa trees that were stressed by the drought are already starting to drop their leaves, but soon, homeowners across the state will be delving into the chore of leaf raking. Adam Thoms, a horticulture professor at Iowa State University and a turfgrass extension specialist, says there may be a better alternative to raking that doesn’t require you to buy those leaf recycling bags some Iowa cities require. “The only thing is, as the leaves start to fall, you might want to consider mulching those leaves if they get really deep in the yard because they can smother out the grass,” Thoms says. “So, just run your mower over those to mulch those up and that’ll help.”

While some lawn mowers are sold as mulcher mowers, just making a few passes will typically grind up the leaves sufficiently. Thoms says mulching this fall can bring a healthier lawn next spring. “Yeah, absolutely,” Thoms says. “You can return those nutrients that are in those leaves back into your yard and that’ll add organic matter and make a healthier soil as well. So mulching is the way to go if you can do it.” Iowans who have bare patches in their lawns due to drought, construction or something else, might consider buying a bag of grass seed and a bale of straw.

“If you can apply any kind of seed to it, now is the time to do that because you’re not competing against crabgrass, things like that,” Thoms says. “Make sure that you rake a little soil over the top and that’s fine. Straw can be added as well, if you want to. It just kind of holds the moisture longer.” This is also a good time to aerate your lawn, he says, as that process reduces compaction, improves soil health, and produces deeper rooted plants which should stay greener, longer during dry spells.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Enjoy Iowa’s beautiful weather and fall colors this weekend. Fall colors appear more vibrant this year, possibly due to the recent crisp weather. Cottonwood, hackberry, elm, basswood and walnut are turning yellow in northeast Iowa. The hillsides have splashes of color mostly from sugar maples. Yellows and oranges mixed with green dot the landscape in north central and northwest Iowa. Cottonwoods are vibrant. Silver maples are just starting to lighten in color.

Major river valleys in central Iowa like the Des Moines, Boone, and Iowa rivers are at 20-25 percent color change. More maples are turning red and yellow. White ash and dogwood are showing a little bit of purple in southeast Iowa. Some urban maples are starting to show a little red and orange. Most shrubs will be at peak color, which provide most of our reds in west central and southwest Iowa. Fall prairie flowers are still showy this week to bring vivid colors to your prairie hikes. 

Enjoy a fall drive and take in all the beautiful colors!

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Utilities Board has denied a request for an environmental impact study for the Summit Carbon Solutions proposed pipeline. The survey request came from the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska — but I-U-B order says it will consider specific environmental issues it has and those raised by those involved in the Summit Carbon request for the hazardous liquid pipeline permit.

The I-U-B statement says a separate environmental impact survey is not required by federal regulations for it to fulfill its statutory requirements in considering the permit. The I-U-B’s order says this was similar to a request made for to the Dakota Access Pipeline, which the board also rejected.

(Radio Iowa) – Tyson foods has announced plans to move all of its corporate employees from Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, Chicago and Downers Grove, Illinois to its world headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas. That could impact as many as 550 Tyson employees in the Sioux City area. Those employees have been given until November 15th to decide on moving to Springdale or leave the company. The president of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, Chris McGowan had this response to the announcement.

“I want to state emphatically that the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce will do everything in our power to minimize the adverse impact on our Siouxland Community. We will work tirelessly with those employees who have been affected and want to find employment, so that they in their families can remain in our community,” McGowan says. He says the area will rally around the Tyson employees.

“This is one of those times where we see Siouxland come together. It is in the most challenging of circumstances throughout our history that we’ve come together as a community — and I will expect that that will be the case in this instance as well,” he says. A Tyson statement says the company will expand their world headquarters, which will include indoor and outdoor spaces designed to foster collaboration, connection and creativity. Tyson’s statement says team members will begin the phased relocation in early 2023.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Bulbs bring spring color! The shorter days and more moderate temperatures make this fall a great time for gardening projects, including planting spring flowering bulbs.  The Cass County Master Gardeners are again selling bulbs for fall planting!  Preorders are open for the annual bulb sale, featuring tulip and daffodil bulbs in 2022. You can place your pre-order now to reserve your bulbs before they run out. Pay just $5 for a variety assortment of 5 colorful bulbs for your garden, with delivery by the end of October, in plenty of time for fall planting. Order forms with additional details are available at the Cass County Extension office, or online at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass.

The bulbs will be freshly dug from the gardens of Van Engelen, Inc., in Connecticut, and shipped in bulk to the Cass County Master Gardeners.  The Master Gardeners have ordered 500 tulip and daffodil bulbs, which they hope to pre-sell by mid-October.  The bulbs are expected to arrive by the end of October, for packaging five bulbs to a bag, and each bag of tulip mixture or daffodil mixture will sell for only $5. Pre-payment is requested at the time of order to guarantee your bulbs.

The Master Gardeners carefully select mixtures each year that are unique to those sold in previous years.  The tulip mixture offered this year, A Rainbow of Triumph Tulips, will produce plant heights from 16 to 20 inches, flowering in late April, and includes:  Bastogne (blood-red), Don Quixote (deep rose), Michael (reddish-orange), Negrita (deep purple), Pays Bas (Meringue-white), and Strong Gold (Primrose-yellow).

The daffodil bulbs include a mixture of multi-flowering Fragrant Naturalizing Jonquilla Narcissi and Miniature Narcissus bulbs:  Baby Moon (canary yellow), Hillstar (lemon-yellow), Golden Echo (white with golden halo and cup), Sweet Love (ivory-white), Kokopelli (greenish-yellow), Minnow (white-to-ivory-to pale yellow), Sun Disc (ivory and yellow), Jetfire (golden-yellow), Tete-a-Tete (buttercup-yellow with dark yellow trumpet) and N. canaliculatus (white with yellow cup).  The daffodils should bloom from April to May, ranging from 6 to 16 inches in height.

The Master Gardeners will package your bulbs 5 bulbs to a bag, along with planting instructions. Please keep in mind we are unable to guarantee any specific color mix. Tulips and daffodils will be packaged separately. You will be notified when your bulbs are available for pickup at the Cass County Extension Office in mid-late October.

The goal of the Master Gardener program is to provide community service and education in horticulture.  The Cass County Master Gardeners utilize the funds raised from the bulb sale, along with their spring garden seminar, and annual spring and fall plant sales (held the second Saturdays of May and September) for local community horticultural projects. These projects include maintaining community garden spaces around the county, providing education programs to youth and adults, providing an annual scholarship, and making horticulture grants available to non-profit groups.

To order bulbs, or for more information about Master Gardener activities in Cass County, please call the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132, email Cass County Extension Director and Master Gardener Coordinator Kate Olson at keolson@iastate.edu or visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass.  You are also invited to follow the Cass County Master Gardeners Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CassCoMG to keep up with local events and tips for gardening!

(Radio Iowa) – Nearly two-thousand meatpacking plant and farm workers in Columbus Junction, West Liberty and Washington will get 600-dollar pandemic relief checks from Catholic Charities U-S-A. The organization is giving one-point-two million dollars in federal relief dollars to Escucha Mi Voz to aid those workers in rural eastern Iowa. Father Guillermo Trevino says he witnessed a miracle Tuesday on the feast day of Saint Francis when the funding was announced.

“In a sense the meat plant workers were the heart and soul of the nation because they kept the nation going like so many. And I think people ought to appreciate them more, as well as the farmworkers because again we all have to eat. So a much deserved reward for them,” he says. The U-S. Department Agriculture’s Farm and Food Workers Relief Grants aim to help workers who incurred expenses during the pandemic. They hope to begin distributing the money to the Iowa workers in the new year.

(reporting by Zachary Oren Smith, Iowa Public Radio)